Grade 8 · Science · Unit 2 of 9
Space Exploration
Rockets, satellites, rovers and Canada’s part in space.
What your child practises
Practises the history and technology of space exploration, including satellites, rovers, rockets and Canada's contributions. It follows the Grade 8 science skill descriptors on space exploration in the New Brunswick curriculum.
New Brunswick Curriculum skill descriptor: Scientific Literacy: Sensemaking, Learning and Living Sustainably: Responsible and Sustainable Application · explanations about space exploration and its technology and benefits
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Why is exploring space important?
- it is cheap
- it helps us learn about the universe and develop new technology
- it is easy
- it has no benefits
it helps us learn about the universe and develop new technology
Hint: Space research led to many inventions.
Question 2
What is space debris?
- old satellites and pieces of rockets orbiting Earth
- clouds in space
- asteroids only
- comets only
old satellites and pieces of rockets orbiting Earth
Hint: Debris can damage spacecraft.
Question 3
Which Canadian was the first in space?
- Julie Payette
- Roberta Bondar
- Chris Hadfield
- Marc Garneau
Marc Garneau
Hint: He flew in 1984.
Question 4
Satellites are used for…
- building houses
- weather forecasting, GPS and communication
- growing food
- making rain
weather forecasting, GPS and communication
Hint: Many everyday services use satellites.
Question 5
What does a space telescope do?
- lands on planets
- carries people
- collects light from far away objects without the blur of Earth’s air
- fuels rockets
collects light from far away objects without the blur of Earth’s air
Hint: The Hubble Space Telescope orbits Earth.
Question 6
How do spacecraft talk to Earth?
- by mail
- by phone cables
- by sound
- by radio waves
by radio waves
Hint: Signals take time to travel.