Teacher resources

Go to Teachers area for more updates

Lessons & Classroom Activities

Resources by grade level

MIddle School Vocabulary Quiz Generator
High School Vocabulary Quiz Generator
Use The News: K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12
e-Edition Super Skills: K-5 | 5-8 | 9-12

Blogs

Student resources

Go to Students area for more updates

Interactive features

Online Reference Guides

Parent resources

Go to Parents area for more updates

Yak's Corner is brought to you by the Michigan K.I.D.S. educational non-profit with support from The Skillman Foundation.

Making history at NASA: New leader, new challenges

When Charles Bolden was first named an astronaut in Americas NASA space program, its unlikely he dreamed he would one day become the first African American to lead the space agency.

And even if he did, he probably never dreamed he would be leading NASA as it enters one of the most challenging periods in its history.

Last week, less than a year after President Obama named Bolden to the job, the President proposed to end NASAs long-held hope to send astronauts back to Earths moon by canceling the Constellation space program.

Instead, NASA is being asked for new ideas and

new ways to explore space at a time when all of the

federal government is short of money.

Bolden, who has faced challenges since growing

up in the racially segregated South in the 1950s, is the man who will have to get it done.

Yet he remains undaunted.

We will blaze a new trail of discovery and development, Bolden said in a February 1 news conference after the Presidents plans were announced. We will facilitate the growth of new commercial industries. And we will expand our understanding of the Earth, our solar system and the

universe beyond.

Historic past

The road to success has never been easy for Charles Bolden.

He was raised in the segregated South by public school teachers who, as he said before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation last July, worked long hours for less pay than whites to inspire thousands of black students to take their places in national, state and local leadership.

His teacher parents taught him to never give up, he told the Senate committee, and he won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.

During a career in the Marines, Bolden joined NASA in 1980, adding his name to African American achievers like Ed Dwight (the first black astronaut trainee), Guion S. Guy Bluford (the first African American to fly in space) and Mae Jemison (the first African American woman in space).

In 14 years as an astronaut, Bolden flew on four space shuttle flights and commanded two of the missions.

Inspiring future

Now Bolden and his team are focusing on new initiatives, like developing a commercial spacecraft to taxi astronauts to the International Space Station and robotic explorations for future human missions to Mars, the moon or nearby asteroids.

Imagine trips to Mars that take weeks instead of nearly

a year; people fanning out across the inner solar system, exploring the Moon, asteroids and Mars nearly simultaneously in a steady stream of firsts, Bolden said in last weeks news conference.

Looking to the future, Bolden noted that one of the most important parts of NASAs budget are plans for a Summer of Innovation he hopes will inspire Americas middle school students.

We want to ignite their passion, Bolden said, for

science and math, technology and engineering professions that are critical now and will only grow more important in the future.

Talk About the News

Its exciting to be the first to do something. But it can also be challenging or even scary. As a class, talk about what Ed Dwight, Guion Guy Bluford, Mae Jemison and Charles Bolden must have felt like when they each made history for NASA. What qualities did they need to succeed? What responsibilities come with being the first to do something?

Learning Standard: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about matters of public concern by clarifying issues, considering opposing views, applying democratic values, anticipating consequences and working toward making decisions.

Explore Your e-Edition

When money is tight, more Americans are interested in the Presidents budget and spending plans. Read todays e-Edition to find out more about President Obamas proposed 2011 budget. What do you think are the most important programs as the U.S. moves forward? Write a Letter to the Editor about the proposed budget.

Learning Standards: Acquiring information from books, maps, newspapers, data sets and other resources; organizing and presenting the information; interpreting the meaning and significance of the information; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

Charles Bolden said during a recent news conference

that he is hoping to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and math, technology and engineering. Using the classified ads in todays e-Edition, see how many jobs you can find in those fields. Choose one job that interests you. Using the Internet or other resources, explore that career to find out the skills and education needed. Why is this job important?

Learning Standard: Showing how common themes of science, mathematics and technology apply in real world contexts.

Charles Bolden has said that his parents hard work and dedication were strong examples in his life. Read todays e-Edition and choose a person you admire. What character traits does this person have? Write an essay about why you admire this person and what you could do in your life because of the example this person has set.

Learning Standards: Identifying and explaining how people demonstrate good character and personal virtue; acquiring information from multiple sources; writing fluently for multiple purposes.

How Well Did You Read?

Understanding what you read is a skill that will help you all through life. Review the story about the NASA space agency by answering the questions below.

1. According to the story, the Constellation program is:

A. A star-gazing organization
B. Astronaut school
C. A program to return to the moon
D. Part of the Naval Academy

2. According to the story, Charles Bolden is the first African American:

A. In space
B. Astronaut
C. To head NASA
D. To work on the Presidents budget

3. In the story, the word segregated means:

A. Minority
B. Restricted or separated
C. All-inclusive
D. Discrimination

4. According to the story, the first African American in space was:

A. Charles Bolden
B. Ed Dwight
C. Guion S. Guy Bluford
D. Mae Jemison

5. According to the story, NASA is being asked to work on plans for:

A. Commercial spacecraft
B. Exploration of Mars
C. Robotic explorations
D. All of the above

ANSWERS: 1-C. 2-C. 3-B. 4-C. 5-D.

e-News Plus is written by Hollister Kids