Sputnik and the Space Race

1. Sputnik and the Space Race By Mia, Elizabeth, Alex E, and Britta

2. Background Skit Components • Elizabeth: Russia • Mia: Explorer 1 • Britta: U.S. • Alex: Sputnik 1 and 2 • Random ball: Vanguard • The American public feared the advancements in Russia after the first Sputnik. • The space race begins! November 3, 1957, Sputnik 2 was launched with a dog named Laika. On January 31, 1958 U.S. launched Explorer 1. In 1966, Soviets landed the first unmanned vehicle on the moon. July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins set foot on the moon. • The Americans had won the space race! • International Council of Scientific Unions calls for satellites to map the surface of the Earth. They also announced the Geophysical Year(1957-1958) • After the spark of U.S. atomic bombs, the Soviets started making nuclear weapons as well. Not too long after this, Sputnik 1 was created and launched on October 4, 1957. • Fun fact: Sputnik is Russian for “traveling companion”.

3. Quiz Questions Thinking like a Historian: Cause/Effect Question 1: What was the name of the dog in Sputnik 2? Answer: Laika Question 2: What year did U.S. land the first man on the moon and who was it? Answer: 1969; Neil Armstrong Question 3: What year was the first Sputnik launched? Answer: 1957 NOTE: THESE QUESTIONS MAY NOT BE THE ONES TO SHOW UP ON THE QUIZ! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE EVENT FROM THE SKIT, SLIDES, AND/OR INTERNET. What caused the space race and what significant event came out of it? • Cause: Soviet Union launched Sputnik. • Cause: Americans feared the Soviet Union’s new accomplishment and U.S. felt vulnerable. • Effect: U.S. launched Explorers and we landed the first man on the moon (Neil Armstrong). • Effect: U.S. won the Space Race!