Orlando Florida Guide

Students who have only dreamed about breaking Earth's boundaries will have the opportunity to take a virtual journey into space next week with CNNfyi.com's next Learning Adventure, Out There: Missions to Space, an interactive, educational program for students and teachers, exploring the secrets of our solar system.

In a special Web event from Stennis Space Center in Mississippi on Thursday, April 26, CNNfyi.com will take students and their teachers on a virtual trip through the Space Shuttle and discuss current and future Mars exploration. Additionally, classes will learn about astronaut training, physiological effects of space travel and careers in the space program.
Today's launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, headed for the International Space Station, adds to the spirit of anticipation and brings science curriculum to life through current events.

Students from across the U.S. have submitted questions via e-mail to be answered during the session of their choice.

The Out There: Missions to Space schedule

12 to 12:25 p.m.: Humans in Space I - How are Astronauts selected? Part One: How Can I Be an Astronaut? -- The selection process, history of space travel, space-related occupations Part Two: Space Fashion -- Space suit designs and purposes, how suits protect humans in a non-Earth environment

12:30 to 12:55p.m.: Humans in Space II - What's it like to be an Astronaut? Part One: What Do Astronauts "Do"? -- Daily activities, exercise, food, socialization Part Two: How are astronauts trained to withstand space travel? - Physical conditioning, changes to the body while in space, reacclimating to Earth's gravity.

1 to 1:50 p.m.: Space Transportation System (STS) -- The Shuttle Program Part One: How Does the Space Shuttle work? -- Preparation, launch, landing and parking the shuttle Part Two: How Does It Stay Up There? -- How Newton's laws, gravity and orbital science make space travel possible Part Three: How Big Is the Shuttle? -- Components, types of cargo and capacity, and living conditions

2 to 2:25 p.m.: Science on the International Space Station (ISS) Part One: What Is the ISS? -- Explain the international partnership Part Two: What Does It Do? -- Explain types of research conducted on the ISS, how is ISS research used?

2:30 to 3:20 p.m.: Mars -- The Red Planet Part One: Science Fiction versus Science Fact -- Will humans travel to Mars and why we want to try Part Two: Current Status of Mars Exploration -- Logistics of travel to Mars and the satellites currently studying it Part Three: Can Mars Sustain Life? -- Exobiology, planetology, origins of life, and the search for water outside Earth Part Four: Careers In Space -- Astronomical opportunities in space and on Earth

Teachers interested in using this Learning Adventure in their classrooms after April 26 will be able to access the curriculum materials, transcripts and streaming video from this and past Learning Adventures at http://www.CNNfyi.com. Past topics have included the teen brain, viruses, weather and the American election process.
CNNfyi Learning Adventures continue in May with a Web special in coordination with CNN's annual World Report Conference. Journalists from around the world will discuss how citizens of other nations receive their news and what current events issues most affect teens worldwide.

CNNfyi.com, CNN's news and educational Web site, was developed by CNN and supported by Turner Learning, the educational division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. In addition to CNN editorial staff dedicated to the site, Turner Learning's team of professional educators contribute content. Additional educational material is provided by Education Partners Riverdeep Interactive Learning, Harcourt and HighWired.com.

All Times Eastern

Orlando Florida Guide