Read Works
Read Works: The Astronaut Wives Club
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the inspiration behind the book The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Space Program
In 1957 the Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik and had an astronaut orbit the moon a few years later. The U.S. was shocked and vowed to not be left behind. Examine how JFK rallied the country and Congress to get behind the race...
The Newberry Library
The Newberry: Chicago Defined: Space and Place, Homes and Journeys
Learning module examines how writers and artists have portrayed the city of Chicago as well as the response to the city's changing population and character during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Primary sources and questions for...
The History Place
The History Place: The Triumph of Hitler: Hitler Reveals War Plans
Describes Hitler's maneuvers to rebuild Germany's military strength, even as he lied to other world leaders, and his disclosure to his military commanders of his plans to expand German territory so as to acquire more space for his...
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Sputnik's Legacy
This exploratory article (published September 11, 1997) outlines the history of the Sputnik Space program, but also includes the response within the United States educational system to speedily ramp up the study of science, math and...
NASA
Nasa: The First Lunar Landing
This site from NASA is extensive and contains a deep supply of information about the historical moon landing. Click on "Table of Contents" to proceed through the site. Wonderful images!
History Link
History Link: The 1962 Seattle World's Fair
A history of the Seattle World's Fair held in 1962. Includes in-depth details of exhibits and attendees, including Prince Phillip of England and Elvis Presley. Wonderful pictures of many of the fair's promotional posters.
Other
Yuri Gagarin: Comrade Kosmonaut
Highly detailed biography of the first man in space. Includes the pamphlet published to celebrate his return to Russia.
NASA
Nasa: Sputniks 1, 2, and 3
NASA provides a paper that "deals with the politics, planning and technology of the period 1946-1958" in the Sputnik program.
NASA
Nasa: "Pravda" Press Release
NASA provides the full text from the tersely worded "Pravda," the Russian national newspaper, that announced the successful launch of Sputnik.
Other
Soviet Space Photos: Photos of Voskhod 3
Actual photos of the Voskhod 3, viewable as larger versions upon clicking the thumbnail.
Curated OER
Npr: Sputnik at 50: Looking Back at the Space Race
The Soviets were surprised at the world's reaction to their accomplishment. Little did they know that they had thrust the world into the Space Age. NPR supplies historic facts, thoughts of people involved, and information on the impact...
Curated OER
Npr: Sputnik at 50: Looking Back at the Space Race
The Soviets were surprised at the world's reaction to their accomplishment. Little did they know that they had thrust the world into the Space Age. NPR supplies historic facts, thoughts of people involved, and information on the impact...
Curated OER
Npr: Sputnik at 50: Looking Back at the Space Race
The Soviets were surprised at the world's reaction to their accomplishment. Little did they know that they had thrust the world into the Space Age. NPR supplies historic facts, thoughts of people involved, and information on the impact...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Jfk's Race to Space Speech
A learning module that begins with "JFK's Race to Space Speech" by President John F. Kennedy, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: A Trip Through Space to Calculate Distance
Imagine two aliens racing across outer space to their moon. Who can we deem the fastest alien? With DIRT- or the equation Distance = Rate x Time- we can calculate their rates, using the distance they traveled and the time they took....
Arcademics
Arcademics: Space Jaunt
Multiplayer math game where alien spaceships race by rounding whole numbers to the nearest 10's place value.
NASA
Nasa: Sputnik Pictures
NASA provides pictures of various Sputnik program satellites, including Sputnik 1. Also has pictures of key officials involved in the Sputnik program.
NASA
Nasa: Pre and Post Sputnik Public Attitudes
This site from NASA provides a paper that describes the public's attitiude before and after the launch of the Sputnik satellite. Originally presented as part of the "U.S. President's Committee on Information Activities Abroad."
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Sputnik's Legacy
Easy-to-read history of the Soviet satellite launch that began the race for space between the Soviet Union and United States. Click on "next" at the bottom to advance to the next page.
A&E Television
History.com: How Landing the First Man on the Moon Cost Dozens of Lives
NASA was preparing feverishly for a moon landing in a race against the former Soviet Union to honor slain president John F. Kennedy's 1961 pledge for the country to land a spacecraft on the moon (and return safely) before the end of the...