Operation Adam Mission to Proxima B The Island Scenario Science ELA SS Related

Absolutely NO PREP! I use this as a getting to know you game at the beginning of the year, but could be used as text-dependent analysis in ELA or a way of getting students to talk about priorities, or more! Collaborative in nature, but would work well as an independent virtual assignment too!

Goal:

You and your fellow classmates must make a decision on who stays on Proxima and who will return to earth.  Review the profile of ten different candidates.  Use all the information in front of you to make the best decision.  No doubt you will be asked to justify your answer if someone disagrees; be prepared to defend your point of view as you may bring to light an overlooked detail or highlight necessary elements that will ensure the success of each mission.

YOU MUST Take five; Leave five.  The decision lies with you.

Background Story:

2145 - Through decades of space exploration and technological breakthroughs, SpaceX has developed and tested rocket technology that can send spacecraft hurtling through space at near lightspeed.  A famine has dramatically impacted life on Earth, so this technology could not come at a more crucial time as many look to the skies in desperation of some place to call home that isn’t here.

SpaceX Adam and its pioneer ten member crew are scheduled to arrive on Proxima B after three years traveling across the galaxy.  Approaching the planet, the team knew the landing could be turbulent due to unknown atmospheric conditions.  Although the vessel was beaten and battered upon entry, the experienced crew saved the ship from harm.  The communications officer made the call that SpaceX Adam had landed safely.

No one from Earth responded.  Upon inspection, the communications satellite had been improperly stowed during the landing.  The extent of the damage was unknown. 

The crew continued their mission and quickly set up a base camp over the course of several days.  Meanwhile, a small exploratory team ventured to examine the surrounding area.  Two more crew members turned their effort towards the repair of the satellite. After only a few days of searching, great news came in from the field.  Not only was there a water source nearby, but the soil makeup potentially matched that of Earth which would make farming a real possibility on Proxima B.  The celebration was cut short with a report from the team working on the satellite.  A hope 16 trillion miles from Earth, but there would be no way to announce it - the satellite was beyond repair. 

After much discussion about potential solutions, the captain has determined that half the team must return to Earth to report their findings.  Without news that Proxima B could support human life, potentially hundreds of thousands if not, millions of people’s lives were on the line.  The absolute minimum number of people needed to man the ship at any given time is five, but traveling at lightspeed isn’t a joke.  One small deviation can put all the souls on board at risk.

This would leave five to remain on Proxima B.  While there are enough supplies for the original mission - to explore for a year and make a return trip - there isn’t enough to remain on Proxima B for a return vessel.  Whoever stays must find a way to survive or endure the ironic fate as too many on Earth - starving to death.  It is up to you who stays and who returns.