This course is a detailed technical and historical exploration of the Apollo project to "fly humans to the moon and return them safely to earth" as an example of a complex engineering system. Emphasis is on how the systems worked, the technical and social processes that produced them, mission operations, and historical significance. Guest lectures are featured by MIT-affiliated engineers who contributed to and participated in the Apollo missions. Students work in teams on a final project analyzing an aspect of the historical project to articulate and synthesize ideas in engineering systems.

Students use wood, wax paper and oil to investigate the importance of lubrication between materials and to understand the concept of friction. Using wax paper and oil placed between pieces of wood, the function of lubricants between materials is illustrated. Students extend their understanding of friction to bones and joints in the skeletal system and become aware of what engineers can do to help reduce friction in the human body as well as in machines.

This lesson can be taught for first grade during the unit on patterns in space.This lesson can be added to Amplify’s Spinning Earth: Investigating Patterns in the Sky unit. It can be used with Lesson 2.1 after watching Zoom Out to Space videosChapter 2 Driving Question: Why was it daytime for Sai when it was nighttime for his grandma?The pursuit of Identity can be addressed throughout this unit. It is defined by Gholdy Muhammad as "Who you are, who others say you are and who you desire to be". Students see that a woman and person of color was able to fulfill her dreams of becoming an astronaut despite having this dream dismissed by a teacher. She took her parents' advice. She dreamt of being an astronaut, she believed she could do it, and she worked hard to achieve this goal.

The Mission to Mars curricular unit introduces students to Mars the Red Planet. Students discover why scientists are so interested in studying this mysterious planet. Many interesting facts about Mars are revealed, and the history of Martian exploration is reviewed. Students will learn about the development of robotics and how robots are beneficial to science, society and the exploration of space. Details on engineers' involvement in space exploration are presented. Furthermore, students will learn how orbits allow astronauts to move from planet to planet and what type of equipment is used by scientists and engineers to safely explore space. Lastly, the specific details on and human risks for a possible future manned mission to Mars (and back to Earth again!) are discussed.

This lesson covers the topic of human bones and joints. Students learn about the skeleton, the number of and types of bones in the body, and how outer space affects astronauts' bones. Students also learn how to take care of their bones here on Earth to prevent osteoporosis or weakening of the bones.