This is an engineering design challenge activity. Learners will use balloons to investigate how a multi-stage rocket, like that used to launch the Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft, can propel a satellite to a specific orbit.... (View More) Learners will construct a two-stage balloon rocket that will be required to reach a particular location on the balloon track, simulating the proper orbit around Earth to be reached by the IBEX satellite. This activity complements other IBEX informal education materials. An instructional video explaining how to facilitate this activity is available: http://bit.ly/ZwlFf4. (View Less)

This is a lithograph that outlines the major mission highlights of the Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, mission, a Small Explorer Earth-orbiting spacecraft that is designed to map the distant boundary between the solar wind from our Sun and... (View More) the interstellar medium, the material between the stars. Short educational activities are included on the back of the lithograph. Learners will use a ball to represent the Earth to investigate the concepts of size and scale in relation to the IBEX mission: the size of the Moon compared to Earth, the distance from the Earth to the Moon on the same scale, the distance to the farthest point in IBEX's orbit, and the distance to the Sun and the edge of the heliosphere, also on the same scale. This is a Spanish-language translation of an English-language product. The English language version is available here: http://www.ibex.swri.edu/planetaria/IBEXLitho4.pdf. (View Less)

This is a lesson about the states of matter. Learners will participate in a kinesthetic activity to reintroduce them to three states of matter, solid, liquid, and gas and introduce them to a fourth state of matter, plasma, its connection to the Sun,... (View More) and connections to science related to the Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. This activity also demonstrates how the addition of energy can transform matter from one state to another and reviews common examples of matter in each state. This activity complements other IBEX informal education materials. An instructional video explaining how to facilitate this activity is available: http://bit.ly/16eHjJh. (View Less)

This is an episode of the Space Place Live talk show. Learners will watch NASA astrophysicist Merav Opher as she talks about her job studying the Sun, heliosphere, space weather, and solar wind. She also discusses NASA's Voyager missions and how... (View More) they have reached the heliosheath and will soon leave our Solar System into the interstellar medium. Cartoon characters present their own brief talk show from the Space Place Clubhouse. The show presents space program scientists and engineers as role models for kids and encourages them to pursue their dreams. Guests present a short science or technology concept, and also talk about their job, their hobbies, and how they got interested in a career in science or engineering. (View Less)

This is an episode of the Space Place Live talk show. Learners will watch NASA space mission architect Linda Herrell as she talks about her job in designing and testing new technology for the New Millennia Program, as well as engineering the... (View More) spacecraft and rockets that would be necessary for space missions. Cartoon characters present their own brief talk show from the Space Place Clubhouse. The show presents space program scientists and engineers as role models for kids and encourages them to pursue their dreams. Guests present a short science or technology concept, and also talk about their job, their hobbies, and how they became interested in a career in science or engineering. (View Less)

This is a lithograph about the Sun. Learners will read a short description about the two Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory, or STEREO, spacecraft. On one side of the lithograph, learners can view a two-dimensional image of the Sun taken by... (View More) STEREO. On the other side of the lithograph is a three-dimensional image of the Sun taken by STEREO. To see this image in 3D, learners will need access to 3D glasses, either purchased or made. (View Less)