Activity 2.3: Mission Control to Mission Shuttle – scene and script

Introduction

Students use a written script to develop a scene inspired by the stimulus resource Blast off with NASA astronaut Rex Walheim: part 1 of 4.

They work in small groups to create two simultaneous scenes: Mission Control on the ground and Mission Shuttle in space.

The learning focuses students on imaginatively responding to and re-creating what they hear in the stimulus, specifically using the drama skills of taking on a role and interpreting a script. The script below can be used as it is or developed further by the students.

Duration

Two 30-minute sessions

Resources

• Open space large enough for students to move comfortably and safely
• Props, such as chairs, wooden cubes, gym mats and fabric
• Printed copies of the script for each group

• ScriptShow details

  Setting and characters

  • Two Mission Control commentators (MC1 and MC2)
  • Two Mission Shuttle astronauts (A1 and A2)

  Stage Mission Control and Mission Shuttle as side-by-side scenes. Mission Control is a room on Earth. Mission Shuttle is the interior of the shuttle SS Discovery.

  Character	Lines
  MC1:	And, ladies and gentleman, we are near launch time here at Cape Kennedy in Florida.
  MC2:	The firing chain is armed and ready to begin.
  A2:	Mission Control firing chain has begun.
  MC1:	We are now going for main engine start.
  A1:	Mission Control, we have main engine start.
  MC2:	The countdown has begun. And 10 ... 9 ... 8 ... 7 ...
  MC1:	All three engines up and burning.
  MC2:	6 ... 5 ... 4 ... 3 ...
  MC1:	2 ...1 ... and lift-off!
  A1:	We have lift-off, Mission Control.
  A2:	Confirming, Mission Control. We have lift-off.
  MC2:	This is the start of the Space Shuttle Discovery's final journey into space.
  MC1:	Yes indeed, ladies and gentlemen. History is being made today with the final flight of Discovery.
  A1:	At 24 seconds into the flight stage, one lift-off program is complete.
  A2:	Standing by for Stage 2 lift-off. Drop solid rocket boosters.
  MC1:	Solid booster separation complete.
  MC2:	You're looking good, Discovery.
  MC1:	And, ladies and gentlemen, as Discovery fires into space, the three main engines are burning enough fuel to drain an average-sized swimming pool in 3 seconds!
  A2:	Stand by for external tank separation.
  A1:	Atlantis is off the tank. We are now flying solo, Mission Control.
  MC2:	It's incredible technology at work here.
  MC1:	Space Shuttle Discovery you are now on a direct course to International Space Station Columbia.

• Activity stepsShow details
  1. Divide students into groups of four. If the class does not divide evenly by four, students can share a role or take on two roles.
  2. Have each student take on a role in their group, rehearse and then perform this simple scenario. Students need to carefully consider what it means to learn lines and when their character needs to speak.
  3. Ask them to imagine that the 'audience' they are speaking to is tuned in from all over the world.
  2. Have students think about their characters. How do they speak, are they American, Australian or another nationality? Are they excited or emotional about this trip? Is this the astronauts' first or last space shuttle trip?