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Challenger Learning Center Missions

Rendezvous with a Comet^TM  

You are a mission specialist on a daring exploration of comets! Your mission’s goal is to plot a course to rendezvous with a comet and launch a probe to collect scientific data on the object. 

What may seem to be routine exploration is sprinkled with lots of surprises and emergencies, giving you insight into teamwork and problem solving. Rendezvous with a Comet^TM is similar to NASA’s STARDUST program, which was launched in February 1999 to rendezvous with Comet Wild 2.

Alignment with State of California Science Standards

 

Grade Level	Physical Science	Life Science	Earth Science	Investigation & Experimentation
Grade 5	1c. Properties of metals 1g. Properties of matter	2b. Blood circulation	5a. The Sun 5b. Objects in the Solar System 5c. Paths of objects	6b. Testable question 6c. Simple investigation 6f. Use of tools 6g. Record data 6h. Draw conclusions 6i. Report of investigation
Grade 6	3a. Transfer of energy 3d. Heat energy transfer by radiation 6a. Utility of energy	5a. Photosynthesis	4b. Solar radiation energy	7a. Develop a hypothesis 7b. Use of tools 7c. Construct graphs 7d. Report of investigation 7e. Consistency of evidence 7g. Interpret data
Grade 7	6a. Electromagnetic Spectrum 6c. Light wave travel 6d. Use of lenses 6e. White light 6f. Refraction, reflection, absorption of light 6h. Comparison of human and machine joint actions 6j. Contractions of the heart	1d. Photosynthesis 3e. Extinction of a species 5g. Eye and ear functions	4b. Catastrophic events 4g. Geologic time scale	7a. Use of tools 7b. Use resources to collect data 7c. Draw conclusions 7d. Construct model 7e. Report of investigation
Grade 8	1a. Relative position to standard reference point 1b. Average speed 1c. Speed/distance problem-solving 1d, e. Velocity 2f. Mass/force 2g. Gravity in the Solar System 3a. Structure of atoms 3d. States of matter 3f. Periodic table 5e. Acids/bases 8a, b. Density/mass		4e. Objects in the Solar System	9a. Test a hypothesis 9b. Evaluate data 9c. Variables/ controls 9d. Linear graphs 9e. Data graphs 9f. Mathematical relationships

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