"I touch the future. I teach."
Leading Lady in Space & Flight, NASA Astronaut & American School Teacher Christa McAuliffe was selected from among 11,000 applicants to join the crew of Space Shuttle Challenger.
In preparation for her mission Crew Specialist McAuliffe prepared lesson plans she intended to share with American school students. Please learn about Christa McAuliffe. These lessons will provide further insight into who Christa McAuliffe was, the teacher, and the Astronaut she had hoped to be. She had a remarkable dedication for teaching. McAuliffe was chosen from among the many who applied for the opportunity to become the “ordinary” American to influence many in The United States by becoming The First Civilian in Space. She taught a self-designed course on “The American Woman”. It was intended to provide insight for her students on the regular people in life who make the world go round. Christa McAuliffe inspired many through teaching and her work can continue to do so posthumously through these lessons. I hope she inspires you!
“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship,
don’t ask what seat. Just get on"
- Christa McAuliffe, American School Teacher, NASA Astronaut
The Leading Lady in Space & Flight NASA AStronaut Christa McAuliffe American School Teacher Paper Doll Pattern is available on the Leading Ladies in Flight & the Space Age boutique page.
Christa’s Lessons:
https://www.challenger.org/challenger_lessons/christas-lost-lessons/
Lesson on Effervescence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDL-KnqY3XU&t=5s
Lesson on Walking Rainbow for Grades K-4th:
https://www.challenger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Christas-Lost-Lesson-Walking-Rainbow.pdf
Lesson on Chromatography for 5th-8th Graders:
https://www.challenger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Christas-Lost-Lessons-Chromatography.pdf
Lesson on Leaf Chromatography for 5th-8th Graders:
https://www.challenger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Christas-Lost-Lessons-Leaf-Chromatography.pdf
Lesson on Liquids in Microgravity for 5th-8th Graders:
Lesson on Newton’s Laws for 6th-8th Graders:
https://www.challenger.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Christas_Lost_Lessons_Newtons_Laws.pdf
“The Ultimate Field Trip”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efWCH5kKv78&t=1s
“Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoautiqoHMw&t=14s
Additional NASA/STEM Resources to look into:
https://www.challenger.org/stem-resources/#challenger_lessons
Destination Mars:
Destination Moon:
https://www.challenger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Destination-Moon-PrePost-Teacher-Guide.pdf
Virtual Missions:
