Aeronautics and Space Travel

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the history and near future of space travel. Students will explore the possibilities of moon bases, Mars colonies, and visiting the outer planets in our solar system and their moons. Students will also discuss important ethical and legal issues around space exploration, such as asteroid mining and war in space. The course gives an expansive view of the technologies, science, and theories that will make far-fetched dreams into realities during the student's lifetime.

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Aeronautics and Space Travel
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Aerospace
Course Provider : Michigan Virtual
Content Provided By : Pointful Education
Online Instructor Provided By : Michigan Virtual
Standards Addressed : Common Core State Standards
Alignment Document : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mJXP-U1HJlg8ro8RwppGmArCQA0gg_nlTgSfpOSXoe8/edit?usp=sharing
Academic Terms : Accelerated, Semester
NCES SCED Code :
Subject Area : Life and Physical Sciences
Course Identifier : Aerospace
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 1

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://slp.michiganvirtual.org/
Email : [email protected]
Phone : (888) 889-2840

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

Start Registration Request

Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost Description:

None

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...

  • Describe the history of space travel as well as the key technologies that contributed to its development
  • Determine the feasibility of space travel, extracting resources, and setting up colonies outside of Earth
  • Analyze the technologies, spacecraft, satellites and other systems that make space travel possible as well as challenging
  • Identify the risks of space as an arena for conflict

NSQ National Standards for Quality Online Courses

Rating Comments
A1. A course overview and syllabus are included in the online course Fully Met
A2. Minimum computer skills and digital literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.* Fully Met
A3. The instructor’s biographical information and information on how to communicate with the instructor are provided to learners and other stakeholders. Fully Met
A4. Learner expectations and policies are clearly stated and readily accessible within the introductory material of the course. Fully Met
A5. Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided.* Fully Met
A6. Grading policies and practices are clearly defined in accordance with course content learning expectations. Fully Met
A7. The online course provides a clear description or link to the technical support offered and how to obtain it.* Fully Met
A8. Learners are offered an orientation prior to the start of the online course. Fully Met
Rating Comments
B1. The online course objectives or competencies are measurable and clearly state what the learner will be able to demonstrate as a result of successfully completing the course.* Fully Met Unit level objectives are listed at the beginnin of each unit. Objectives begin with a clear verb such as analyze, discuss or compare/contrast.
B2. The online course expectations are consistent with course-level objectives or competencies, are representative of the structure of the course, and are clearly stated. Fully Met
B3. The online course content is aligned with accepted state and/or other accepted content standards, where applicable.* Fully Met
B4. Digital literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum.* Fully Met
B5. Supplemental learning resources and related instructional materials are available to support and enrich learning and are aligned to the specific content being delivered.* Fully Met
B6. The online course content and supporting materials reflect a culturally diverse perspective that is free of bias.* Fully Met
B7. The online course materials (e.g., textbooks, primary source documents, OER) that support course content standards are accurate and current. Fully Met Material consists of videos, articles and outside resources. A good depth of material is covered.
B8. The online course is free of adult content and avoids unnecessary advertisements.* Fully Met
B9. Copyright and licensing status for any third-party content is appropriately cited and easily found. Fully Met
B10. Documentation and other support materials are available to support effective online course facilitation.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
C1. The online course design includes activities that guide learners toward promoting ownership of their learning and self-monitoring. Fully Met Written assignments, discussions, and projects ask students to analyze material, discover information, interview to gather information, etc.
C2. The online course’s content and learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies. Partially Met Some objectives are not met through instruction or assessments. Even with a course alignment document, there are some objectives that are not met through lessons and assignments. Example: Construct a timeline of colonization theories and future predictions around a successful Mars Colony.
C3. The online course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Fully Met There is a consistent layout within the course and the lessons. There are navigation arrows to move within the lessons both forward and backward. There are also navigation arrows to allow the user to move forward and backward within the folders. The same format is followed throughout the entire course.
C4. The online course content is appropriate to the reading level of the intended learners.* Fully Met
C5. The online course design includes introductory assignments or activities to engage learners within the first week of the course. Fully Met
C6. The online course provides learners with multiple learning paths as appropriate, based on learner needs, that engage learners in a variety of ways. Fully Met Written assignments, discussions, and projects ask students to analyze material, discover information, interview to gather information, etc.
C7. The online course provides regular opportunities for learner-learner interaction. Fully Met There are regular discussions throughout the course where students post and respond to each other's posts. Instructors monitor and respond to the discussions.
C8. The online course design provides opportunities for learner-instructor interaction, including opportunities for regular feedback about learner progress.* Fully Met There are regular discussions throughout the course where students post and respond to each other's posts. Instructors monitor and respond to the discussions.
C9. Online course instructional materials and resources present content in an effective, engaging, and appropriate manner.* Not Met There are no objectives listed on the assignment or projects. Specifically list the objectives being addressed on the assignments, projects and discussions to fix this issue.
Rating Comments
D1. Learner assessments are linked to stated course, unit, or lesson-level objectives or competencies. Not Met There are unit/lesson objectives that are listed but not addressed/measured within the lesson. Example: Unit 3 has an objective of "Construct a timeline of the introduction of satellites into space." An assignment or discussion that required students to accomplish this task could not be located.
D2. Valid course assessments measure learner progress toward mastery of content. Fully Met
D3. Assessment practices provide routine and varied opportunities for self-monitoring and reflection of learning.* Fully Met Each lesson has either a concept check or an assignment or discussion where student respond to the objectives. Students receive feedback from teachers and can add/edit to their discussions. Assignments that do not demonstrate mastery (80% or higher) qualify for resubmission. There is a self-check quiz at the end of units.
D4. Assessment materials provide the learner with the flexibility to demonstrate mastery in a variety of ways.* Fully Met Discussions, short answer assignments, projects and quizzes are all utilized.
D5. Rubrics that clearly define expectations for varied levels of proficiency are created and shared with learners.* Fully Met Rubrics are provided for each assignment and discussion.
Rating Comments
E1. Online course navigation is logical, consistent, and efficient from the learner’s point of view.* Fully Met There is a consistent layout within the course and the lessons. There are navigation arrows to move within the lessons both forward and backward. There are also navigation arrows to allow the user to move forward and backward within the folders. The same format is followed throughout the entire course.
E2. The online course design facilitates readability.* Fully Met Course has consistent lesson set up with an introductory video and then a reading section. The reading section utilizies black text on a white backgroun and is organized into paragraphs with appropriate headings to break up the topics.
E3. The online course provides accessible course materials and activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.* Fully Met Font is consistent throughout the lessons. Larger fonts or ones with highlighted backgrounds are different headings to divide text. All images tested had alt text that was appropriate. No tables were found in the check.
E4. Course multimedia facilitate ease of use.* Fully Met Video windows can be resized. Videos are around 6 minutes or less in length so that content is broken up into smaller segments. The videos that were viewed did not have any flashing content.
E5. Vendor accessibility statements are provided for all technologies required in the course.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
F1. Educational tools ensure learner privacy and maintain confidentiality of learner information in accordance with local, state, and national laws for learner data. Fully Met
F2. The online course tools support the learning objectives or competencies.* Fully Met
F3. The online course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate learners’ needs and preferences.* Partially Met Instructor role permissions within Michigan Virtual's learning management system permit instructors to add supplemental content and external resources both within lessons and announcements. Additionally, the learning management system permits online accommodations including text-to-speech tools, extended testing time, provision of multiple attempts, and scoring exemptions for extenuating circumstances. Course content is desgined, however, to meet state and national content standards alignment and provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum to all enrolled learners, and therefore there are restrictions on instructor permissions to modify the scope and sequence of course assessments.
F4. The course allows instructors to control the release of content.* Partially Met Michigan Virtual provides for flexible pacing and asynchronous delivery of its online course offerings. In order to maximize these opportunities for personalized learner preferences and flexibility concerning frequency or timing of individual learner availability or participation in courses during academic terms, with few exceptions, all course content is made available at all times throughout the term, and generally only midterm or final exams are password protected. Conditional release of content is intentionally avoided or used sparingly within Michigan Virtual course design and instructional delivery models.
F5. The course provides the necessary technical functionality to score and record assessments and calculate earned course points or grades.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
G1. The online course uses multiple methods and sources of input for assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met
G2. The online course is reviewed to ensure that the course is current. Fully Met
G3. The online course is updated on a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness based on the findings from ongoing reviews. Fully Met

Review Conducted By: Michigan Virtual
Date of Review: 08/09/2023

Module 1: Introduction to Space Travel

Module 2: Apollo and Shuttles

Module 3: International Space Station and Satellites

Module 4: Moon Base

Module 5: Mars Colony

Module 6: Asteroid Mining

Module 7: Solar System Exploration

Module 8: Robots and War in Space

Module 9: Spacecraft Technology

Module 10: Interstellar Travel

Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/17/2025 01/03/2025 05/23/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/24/2025 01/10/2025 05/30/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/31/2025 01/17/2025 06/06/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/07/2025 01/24/2025 06/13/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/14/2025 01/31/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/21/2025 02/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/28/2025 02/14/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/07/2025 02/21/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/14/2025 02/28/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/21/2025 03/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 09/06/2024 07/01/2024 08/30/2024 08/16/2024 12/20/2024 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 09/06/2024 07/01/2024 09/06/2024 08/23/2024 12/20/2024 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 09/06/2024 07/01/2024 09/13/2024 08/30/2024 12/20/2024 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 09/06/2024 08/23/2024 01/10/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 09/13/2024 08/30/2024 01/17/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 09/20/2024 09/06/2024 01/24/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 09/27/2024 09/13/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 10/04/2024 09/20/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 10/11/2024 09/27/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 10/18/2024 10/04/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 10/25/2024 10/11/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 11/01/2024 10/18/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024 07/01/2024 11/08/2024 10/25/2024 01/31/2025 100 $350
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 09/06/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 09/06/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 09/06/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 10/25/2024
Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.

Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube.

Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/