Some of America’s best-known astronauts visited Idaho in 1969 to train for their moon missions. The training was part of a deliberate strategy by NASA to teach geology to the Apollo astronauts who were, after all, going on the grandest geology field trip of all time. The space-research relationship continues with NASA and Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Students will learn about the role Idaho played in the Apollo Moon missions—as well as NASA’s interest in studying an Idaho landscape that will help scientists plan for visits to Mars.

Please refer to the accompanying Facilitator Guide (found in the Support Materials section) for the fourth-grade Idaho Content Standards associated with this resource.