Exploring Space: The High Frontier

This is a science course that includes the latest information available in space science and space exploration. The course begins with the study of the space environment from the earliest days of interest in astronomy and early ideas of the heavens, through the Renaissance, and on into modern astronomy. It provides an in-depth study of the Earth, Sun, stars, Moon, and solar system, including the terrestrial and the outer planets. It discusses issues critical to travel in the upper atmosphere such as orbits and trajectories unmanned satellites, and space probes. It investigates the importance of entering space and discusses manned and unmanned space flights, focusing on concepts surrounding spaceflight, space vehicles, launch systems, and space missions. The section on manned spaceflight focuses on the Space Shuttle, space stations and beyond, covering milestones in the endeavor to land on the Moon and to safely orbit humans and crafts for temporary and prolonged periods. The course covers the human aspect of spaceflight, focusing on the human experience in space. It also examines the latest advances in space technology, including robotics in space, the Mars Rover, and commercial uses of space.

 The course objectives are:

1.  Know the history of astronomy and the specific characteristics of the Earth, Moon, solar system, and the planets.

2.  Comprehend the big picture of space exploration, including the history of spaceflight, organizations doing work in space, and the overall space environment.

3.  Comprehend the importance of entering space, characteristics of manned and unmanned spaceflight, and how humans are affected during spaceflight.

4.  Comprehend the key concepts for getting from the surface of the Earth into Earth orbit and to other planets and back again.

5.  Comprehend how spacecraft, rockets, and launch vehicles are designed and built.

6.  Comprehend the latest advances in space technology.

Life Skills and Career Opportunities

Life Skills and Career Opportunities, provides an essential component of leadership education for today’s high school students. This course it is designed to prepare students for life after high school in the high-tech, globally oriented, and diverse workplace of the 21st century. Students will learn how to become a more confident financial planner and to save, invest, and spend money wisely, as well as how to avoid the credit trap. They will learn about real-life issues such as understanding contracts, leases, warranties, legal notices, personal bills, practical and money-saving strategies for grocery shopping, apartment selection, and life with roommates. The Holland Interest Inventory and other self-assessments will help them to reveal their attitudes, aptitudes, and personal skills. This self-understanding will allow them to explore career paths and understand requirements that they will need to be successful at work and in life. To help students increase their potential for success through education, they will learn how to select a school that is right for them; how to apply for admission to a vocational or technical school, community college, or college/university; and how to succeed in these learning environments. Information is provided on how to conduct the job search for students who wish to enter the workforce right after high school or after additional education and training. They will learn how to prepare a winning résumé, and how to develop effective interviewing skills. Students will become more skilled at using the Internet for career research and learn how to network safely using social media. The text also provides information on working for the federal government to include careers in the military, aerospace industry, and public service. Finally, students will consider the most important elements of life skills for all Americans: civic responsibilities, such as volunteering, registering to vote, jury duty, and draft registration.

 Course Outcomes:

1.  Analyze the elements of successful financial management skills.

2.  Create a plan to safeguard personal resources.

3.  Analyze the different ways of pursuing a career path.

4.  Analyze the requirements for applying to a college or university.

5.  Analyze positive and negative impact of college life in meeting career goals.

6.  Evaluate the essential process for successfully pursuing desired career or job.

7.  Evaluate the benefits of working for the Federal Government.

8.  Create a plan for successful career development.

Wellness Program

The course objective for the Wellness Program is to:

Motivate cadets to lead active, healthy lifestyles beyond program requirements and into their adult lives.

 The goals of the Wellness Program are to:

1.  Create an individualized training program based on national standards by age and gender.

2.  Identify areas of improvements for each cadet and provide guidance for improvement.

3.  Incorporate a physical training program to reach fitness goals.

The President’s Fitness Challenge

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans on October 7, 2008. The comprehensive, science-based guidelines were developed to inform policymakers and health providers about the amounts, types, and intensity of physical activity needed to help Americans aged 6 and older, and of all abilities, improve their health and reduce their risk of chronic diseases. Regular physical activity in adolescents promotes health and fitness. Compared to those who are inactive, physically active youth have higher levels of cardio respiratory fitness and stronger muscles. Their bones are stronger, and they may have reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Youth who are regularly active also have a better chance of a healthy adulthood. They also typically have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI). With higher BMI’s, an increased risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers may develop. Adolescents don't usually develop chronic diseases; however, risk factors for these diseases can begin to develop early in life. Regular physical activity makes it less likely that these risk factors will develop and more likely that adolescents will remain healthy as adults.

Wellness Program Exercises

This program is comprised of 19 exercises which can be conducted with minimal space and with minimal climate dependency (e.g., the 1-mile run). The exercises develop all muscle groups and provide sufficient anaerobic and aerobic intensity. They require no equipment and use only body weight and common objects (e.g., chairs).

The 19 exercises are:

1.  V-Sit Reach

2.  Lunges

3.  Bent-Knee Push-ups

4.  Arm Extended Lunges

5.  Feet Elevated Push-ups

6.  Reverse Extended Lunges

7.  Hindu Push-ups

8.  Mountain Climbers

9.  Plank

10. Hindu Squats

11. Left Arm and Right Arm Planks

12. Body Builders

13. Sit-Ups

14. Squat Leaps

15. Extended Side Push-ups

16. Side Lateral Jumps

17. Flutter Kicks

18. One-Mile Run

19. Push-ups

A typical exercise class may go as follows:

1. Warm-up/Stretch

2. Pick 6 or more exercises to perform depending on time

3. Ensure proper form and technique

4. Students will strive to complete the number of repetitions indicated on their personal workout plan

5. Cool/down/Stretch