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Benchmark I
(2006-2007)
(Benchmark_I.pdf or Benchmark_I.doc)
- The purpose
of Benchmark I is for you to build definitions and other basic,
but necessary, background knowledge about space and how it is being
used for both civilian and military applications.
- You are to
develop these definitions and background knowledge in the context
of the four CIF domains (scientific/environmental, economic, social/cultural,
and political/geo-political).
- In
your investigations you will need this knowledge to understand
the topics you will investigate in Benchmarks II and III.
- Make sure you
carefully reference all materials you use in your text and in a
bibliography.
Objective
1 - Definitions:
You are to produce overall definitions and understanding
of space and of uses of space. Further, you are to produce possible
explanations of the motivations that drive people’s interest
in space and its possibilities, both civilian and military.
Suggested
Activities:
1.
Develop representations of a) our known planetary universe,
b) space in the vicinity of Earth, and c) the atmosphere adjacent
to Earth.
2.
Based on your representations, create a definition of space that
you will want to use throughout the CIF project.
3.
Locate and watch the opening 3 or 4 episodes of the TV series “Cosmos” or
a similar series. Prepare commentary to deliver to your
class.
4.
Make a list of the kinds of objects that have been put into space
(satellites, space stations, etc.)
5.
Make a list of the kinds of objects that might be put into space
in the future.
6.
Define “space weapons.” Create a list
or a database of existing, possible, and imagined “space
weapons.”
7.
Research and define the terms “militarization
of space” and “weaponization
of space.” In a short paper,
compare and contrast these terms.
Describe who uses these
terms, how,
and why.
8.
Research and define “space-based” defense.
In your definition delineate
what it is and also what it is not.
9.
Research and create a definition of “space security.”
10.
Invite a knowledgeable speaker(s) to come
to your class. The speaker(s) could be from
any profession
that deals
with space and/or space
issues, for example, a nearby university professor,
a science writer, a military representative,
your local Congressman
or other
political official
- any person or subject
matter expert who can help you gain knowledge of space.
11.
Research books that were written about space
before the 20th Century. How far back
can you
go? Choose one
and write
a report on it. Your
book could be fiction
or non-fiction. Make sure to look at books that were written
in a wide
variety of countries.
12.
Research books written about space between
1900 and the present.
Choose one
and write
a report on
it. Make
sure to
look at books that
were written in
a wide variety of
countries.
13.
Create a website, database, chart or other
visual comparing
and contrasting
the books
you chose in
numbers 11 and
12.
14.
Deliver a speech on why you believe space
is of interest to
or fascinating
to people.
Objective
2 – Background: History of Man in Space
You are to develop an understanding of
the history of people’s
knowledge of space. You are to learn about ways that space has been
used to date. And you will learn about the technologies that are needed
for use in space. This objective focuses on civilian uses of space.
Suggested
Activities
1. Make an historical
timeline of people’s
concepts of space. What did the ancient Greeks think about space?
People in the Middle
Ages? The Renaissance? And so on.
2. Create a
database of the history of people’s exploration
of space.
3. Research
and write a paper comparing the development of people’s
concepts and exploration of space with the development of science
and scientific understanding. Which sciences were important in
this development? Why?
4. Construct
a database of products that were originally designed for space
programs that have crossed into
commercial use, or
that have been modified for the general market.
5. Create a
database of some of the objects that have been put into space
in your lifetime. Indicate which countries put
them
there and
the intended use of the object. Finally, delineate if the
object is civilian, military, or dual use.
6. Using the
books you researched in Objective One, make a list of objects now
in space
that had been predicted in
the
past.
7. Research
and prepare a report on how human needs are met in space. Explain
how science and technology are important
in meeting
these
needs.
8. Make a database
of technologies that are necessary for use in space. Give two examples
of how each technology
is used.
9. To learn
more about the science of getting into space, with adult help and
supervision, assemble and
shoot off
small amateur
rockets.
Before you decide to launch a rocket, determine the
laws and rules for doing this activity in your local
area.
Make charts
and graphs
to express the mathematics and science in your experiment.
You might check the movie October Sky.
Objective
3 – Space
as an Area for Military Competition
You are
to develop an understanding of possible military uses of space. You
are to learn about ways that space has been used to date. And
you will learn about the technologies that are needed for use in
space.
Suggested Activities:
1. Research
and create a database of military events in space.
2. Construct a
database of products that were originally designed
for space programs that have crossed into military
use.
3. Using the books
you researched in Objective One, make a list of military-use objects
now in space that had
been predicted in the
past.
4. Make a database
of military technologies that are necessary for use in space. Give
two examples
of how
each technology is
used.
This
benchmark is available as either a PDF or Word file.
About Benchmarks
Benchmark Two
Benchmark Three
http://www.criticalissuesforum.org/bmk07_1.html
updated 08 December 2006
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