The Space Shuttle program ran from presidential approval in 1972 to its end in 2011. It was the fourth human spaceflight program carried out by the United States and NASA. The Space Shuttle, officially known as the Space Transportation System (STS), was the first reusable spacecraft to carry humans into orbit.

The Space Shuttle program ran from presidential approval in 1972 to its end in 2011. It was the fourth human spaceflight program carried out by the United States and NASA. The Space Shuttle, officially known as the Space Transportation System (STS), was the first reusable spacecraft to carry humans into orbit.

Events

Exhibitions

Learning Resources

Activity/Lab Document

Flight of Fancy Story Time Pre and Post Visit Materials - Dr. Mae Jemison - Spanish

Packet of experiments, crafts, and activities created to help expand the topics connected to Dr. Mae Jemison and the space shuttle era. These materials are connected to Standards of Learning

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Grade Level
Grade K, Grade 1 and Grade 2
Topics
Human spaceflight, African American or Black people, Space Shuttle program, Women and People
Leader
Teacher
Rights
cc-by-nc
Lecture Video

"What’s New in Aerospace: The Story Behind the Space Shuttle Columbia Recovery Mission (Bringing Columbia home)"

Mike Leinbach will share his first–hand account of how agencies worked together to bring Columbia home and search for answers.

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Grade Level
Grades 13-14, Grades 15-16, Grades 17-20, Grade 12, Grade 11, Grade 10, Grade 9, Grade 8, Grade 6 and Grade 7
Topics
Human spaceflight and Space Shuttle program
Leader
Teacher, Student, Parent/Caregiver and Other
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Activity/Lab Video

My Path: Dava Newman, Former Deputy Administrator for NASA

Have you ever wondered how important people get to where they are? NASA's deputy director, Dava Newman, shares her path in this segment brought to you by STEM in 30.

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Grade Level
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 and Grade 9
Topics
Human spaceflight, Moon (Earth), People, Science, Small solar system bodies, Solar System, Space Shuttle program, Spacecraft and Women
Leader
Student
Rights
cc-by-nc
Activity/Lab Video

Smithsonian Science Starter: Building Paper Airplanes with Astronaut Gregory "Ray J" Johnson

What does flying a paper airplane have to do with landing the Space Shuttle?

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Grade Level
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 3, Grade 5 and Grade 4
Topics
Aircraft, Technology and Engineering and Space Shuttle program
Leader
Student and Teacher
Rights
cc-by-nc
Activity/Lab Image

America’s First Space Walking Woman

On October 11, 1984, a female American astronaut stepped outside her spacecraft for the first time. Kathryn D. “Kathy” Sullivan had work to do in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Challenger,

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Grade Level
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 5, Grade 4, Grade 3, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, Grades 13-14, Grades 15-16 and Grades 17-20
Topics
Human spaceflight, Space Shuttle program and Women
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Student, Teacher, Parent/Caregiver and Other
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https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/america’s-first-spacewalking-woman-kathryn-d-sullivan

Reading Image

Space Shuttle Discovery (Theme/Exhibit)

Celebrating 34 years of Discovery

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Grade Level
Grade 10, Grade 12, Grades 13-14, Grades 15-16, Grade 11, Grade 9, Grade 8, Grades 17-20, Grade 7, Grade 6, Grade 5, Grade 4 and Grade 3
Topics
Human spaceflight and Space Shuttle program
Leader
Other, Parent/Caregiver, Teacher and Student
Rights
cc-by-nc