NASA: Exploring the Artemis Missions (II-V)

Objective
 

Activate prior knowledge about space exploration and human spaceflight.

Activity

• Display Artemis mission images.
• Ask students:
  • What do you already know about the Moon missions?
  • Why do humans explore space?
  • What challenges might astronauts face on the Moon?

Think-Pair-Share

Students discuss:

• Would you travel to space if given the opportunity?
• What would be exciting or difficult?

Class Discussion

Introduce the Artemis Program:

• NASA’s plan to return humans to the Moon
• Preparation for future Mars missions
• Development of long-term lunar exploration systems

Objective
Introduce Artemis Missions II–V and explain lesson goals.

Teacher Explanation
Using NASA resources from the Artemis website:

Artemis II: Crewed lunar flyby mission
Artemis III: Planned astronaut landing systems testing and future Moon landing preparation
Artemis IV: Lunar Gateway and expanded lunar exploration
Artemis V: Continued Moon exploration and lunar infrastructure development 

Vocabulary Preview

Introduce academic and scientific vocabulary:

Word                     Meaning
Artemis                  NASA’s modern Moon mission program
lunar                      Related to the Moon
orbit                       Path around an object in space
astronaut               Person trained for space travel
Gateway                Lunar space station
spacecraft             Vehicle used in space

Objective
Model informational reading and research strategies.

Teacher Demonstration
Open the official Artemis website:
NASA Artemis Program

Demonstrate:

• Navigating mission pages
• Reading headings and captions
• Identifying important details
• Using visuals and diagrams to support understanding

Think-Aloud Strategy

Model questions such as:

• What is the mission goal?
• What technology will astronauts use?
• Why is this mission important for future exploration?

Mini Research Lesson

Teach students how to:

• Use reliable sources
• Take organized notes
• Summarize instead of copying
• Identify key vocabulary
   

Objective

Students collaborate to research and analyze Artemis missions.

Group Assignments

Assign each group:

• Artemis II
• Artemis III
• Artemis IV
• Artemis V

Student Research Tasks

Groups research:

• Mission goals
• Spacecraft and technology
• Crew or astronaut information
• Timeline
• Importance of the mission

Collaborative Product

Groups create:

• Google Slides presentation
• Poster
• Timeline
• Infographic

Co-Use Strategy

Students must:

• Discuss findings together
• Share research responsibilities
• Practice explaining information aloud

Differentiation

Provide:

• Guided note sheets
• Vocabulary supports
• Sentence frames for emerging readers
   

Objective

Assess understanding of Artemis missions and collaborative learning.

Group Presentations

Students present:

• Mission purpose
• Key facts
• Interesting discoveries

Teacher evaluates:

• Understanding of content
• Use of scientific vocabulary
• Participation and collaboration
• Presentation clarity

Exit Ticket

Students answer:

• Which Artemis mission interested you most?
• What is one thing NASA hopes to accomplish?
• Why is space exploration important?
   

Objective

Extend learning through creativity and real-world STEM connections.

Extension Activities

Students may:

• Design a future Moon habitat
• Create an astronaut journal entry
• Compare Artemis and Apollo missions
• Design a mission patch

Homework

Students:

• Explore additional Artemis videos or articles
• Write a short summary of one mission
• Identify three new STEM vocabulary words