福州西湖国际学校

Focusing丨IPC学习展望：向火星进发！

2021开年不足三月，人类太空探索喜报连连：2月10日，“天问一号”探测器抵达火星轨道；2月18日，“毅力号”探测器着陆火星。行星环境如何？当前过去是否有生命存在？一时间，对宇宙的憧憬又浮上太空爱好者的心头。
In less than three months since the beginning of 2021, human space exploration has been full of good news: on February 10, the "Tianwen-1" probe entered orbit around Mars; on February 18, the "Perseverance" rover landed on Mars. What is the planetary environment? Was there life there in the past? For a while, the longing for knowledge of the universe surfaced again in the hearts of space lovers.

宇宙几多奥秘，不少人都曾有过化身宇航员漫步太空的梦想。那么成为宇航员需要具备什么条件？本周，五年级学子进入了全新的IPC单元：火星任务（the Mission to Mars unit）。
The universe is full of mysteries. Many people have had the dream of walking in space as astronauts. So what does it take to become an astronaut? This week, Fuzhou Lakeside International School fifth graders are entering a new IPC unit: the Mission to Mars.

五年级生首先回答了一份简短的问卷，他们被放置在各种各样的情境设置中，面临关键抉择：比如球赛中的传球选择，自驾游烦闷无聊的行车过程中该怎么做，如何帮助恐高的同伴，等等。这些问题看似毫无联系，实则是在评估学子们的协作能力、探索欲、解决问题的能力、责任心与决心……简而言之，即评估一个人是否具备成为一名宇航员的心智素质。
G5 students began by answering a short questionnaire in which they were placed in a variety of scenarios and faced with key decisions: passing options in a soccer game, what to do during a long and boring car journey, how to help a group member who is afraid of heights when climbing a very tall tower, and so on. These questions may seem unrelated, but they are actually assessing the students' ability to collaborate, desire to explore, problem-solving skills, responsibility, and determination, etc. In short, they are assessing whether a person has what it takes to be an astronaut!

过了这一关，学子们又在课堂上根据NASA（美国国家航空和宇宙航行局）指南学习了成为宇航员的必备条件。学历、工龄、经验、优异的体测成绩……缺一不可。但，这些条件看起来对五年级的孩子而言似乎太过遥远……且慢！我们可否稍稍体验宇航员所要面临的身心挑战呢？
After passing this hurdle, the students then learned in class what is required to become an astronaut according to NASA guidelines. A university degree in engineering, science, or math, at least 3 years of experience in a related profession, 1000 hours of experience commanding jet aircraft, passing demanding physical tests, etc. are all important. And achieving these qualifications may seem too far ahead in the future for a fifth grader. But wait! Can they at least have a taste of the physical and mental challenges required to become an astronaut?

熊爬、螃蟹步、单脚投球、光速接物……五年级生们来到户外，通过一系列结合脑力与体力的运动项目，在短时间内体验了一把强化手眼协调能力、空间意识、肢体协调能力、跳跃能力等素质的训练方式。妙趣横生的几个项目让五年级生跃跃欲试，却也大呼吃不消！看来，要成为一名宇航员，道阻且长……
Bear crawl, crab walk, one-legged ball throwing, hand-eye reaction training, and more. G5 students came outdoors to experience a series of sports that combined mental and physical strength to strengthen hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, body coordination, jumping ability, and other qualities in a short period of time. They were excited to try out a few of the exciting programs, but they also exclaimed that they couldn't take it anymore! It seems that to become an astronaut, the road is long and difficult.

在接下来的单元学习中，学子会对行星有更多了解，诸如火星生活的注意事项及必备物品、如何在火星上耕种、火星的地理……孩子们甚至有机会设计自己的火星车！向火星进发，这就启航！祝各位小小宇航员好运~
In the next unit of study, students will learn more about space, the planets, and what is necessary to know and prepare for in order for people to live on Mars successfully. For example: knowing what to pack and paying attention to the weight of what is brought on board since space shuttles can only hold a certain amount, how to grow plants in a variety of soils with different amounts of water and sunlight, learning the geography of Mars, and even designing and building their own Mars rover. Let's reach for the stars! Good luck to all the little astronauts!