April 12 • Cultural Insight

International Day of Human Space Flight

Colonising Mars. This lesson explores the manifest destiny of the stars and whether humanity has the right to infect other planets with our presence before we have fixed our own.

Speaking Discussion

Is space travel a waste of money while people are still starving on Earth?
If you were offered a one-Way trip to Mars to start a new civilisation, would you go?
Should private companies (like SpaceX) be allowed to own land on the Moon?
If we find alien life, should we observe it from a distance or try to communicate immediately?
What is the one human habit you would want to ban on a new space colony?

Activity 1: The Mars Governor

The Task: You are writing the constitution for the first city on Mars. You have 3 minutes to define: 1) The Currency, 2) The primary law, and 3) The punishment for a crime. How do you avoid the mistakes of Earth? Pitch your utopia.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Debate

Justify in 30 seconds: 1. 'Earth is a cradle, and we cannot stay in the cradle forever.' 2. 'Space travel is the ultimate act of human arrogance.' 3. 'The first person to reach Mars should be a poet, not a pilot.'

Key Vocabulary

Orbit (N/V) The curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft around a star, planet, or moon.
Colonisation (N) The action or process of settling among and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area; also, settling a new planet.
Territory (N) An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state.
Arrogance (N) An exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.
Vanguard (N) A group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas.

Fluency Catalyst

Native Phrase: When discussing impact, use: "To reach for the stars."

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