“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” With those words, Neil Armstrong ended one of America’s longest journeys: the race to the moon. His lunar walk brought him instant worldwide fame. Armstong’s own life story parallels the space race itself, from Robert Goddard’s early rocket inventions, to the many pioneering attempts to probe the skies that culminated with NASA’s triumphs in the 1960s. Men in Space: From Goddard to Armstrong takes a look at the extraordinary lives of the men who conquered space. It would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture, and Science and Technology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• aeronautics
• complacent
• culmination
• foster
• impede
• innovation
• obscurity
• physiological
• posthumously
• premise
• prophetic
• propulsion
• quest
• stalwart
• stoic
• visionary

1. In the 1920s and the 1930s, when Robert Goddard began his experiments with rockets, many people thought he was a madman. Why were his experiments so controversial?

2. Humankind has always dreamed of going to the moon. Why?

3. The great inventor Thomas Edison once said that genius is “one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Explain what this saying means.

4. Discuss the role of aviator hero Charles Lindbergh in Goddard’s work.

5. Why wasn’t Robert Goddard’s work valued in his lifetime? What is the legacy of Robert Goddard?

6. In 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik. How and why did Sputnik mobilize the American space program?

7. Discuss some of the dangers of the space program.

8. What qualities did Neil Armstrong possess that made him attractive to NASA? Why were these qualities so important?

9. Discuss the meaning and significance of Armstrong’s statement when he stepped onto the surface of the moon, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

1. Research newspaper accounts of the reactions to Sputnik. How did America react to the small satellite? Was the American reaction justified?

2. Interview your parents, grandparents or teachers about their reaction to the moon landing in 1969.

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