What's in the news. This video for grades 4 to 12 contains one episode in a series of twelve 15 minute programs on space sciences and space exploration that combine NASA videos, demonstrations of scientific principles, and interviews with space scientists. A teacher's guide accompanies the series. Countdown to the Future, looks at the Space Shuttle in detail, including its design and compartments, how it is fueled, and how it stays in orbit around the Earth. The program also briefly describes Space Station Freedom and the shuttle's role in building it.
Chief principles discussed are combustion and satellite orbits.
The program includes a career segment with a neuroscientist who is studying how light and color influence the lives of people who live in space. The teacher's guide includes a description of each program's contents, a resources section with addresses and phone numbers for NASA field centers and other organizations that can supply additional information, a glossary, and 12 sections that correspond to each program. Sections contain a listing of major ideas presented in the corresponding program, and a series of pre viewing and post viewing discussion questions. ENC does NOT distribute this resource. ENC has the U-matic version of this series on 3 tapes.