Homeschooling Essay Challenge - "Role of Software in Taking Man to the Moon"

# What’s the Plan?

You are going to dive into an exciting essay-writing challenge. You’ll research, write, and polish an essay while earning points along the way. At the end, we’ll celebrate with a family movie night watching Apollo 13 and enjoying pizza together.

# How You’ll Be Judged

Here’s what I’ll be looking for:

1. Your perspective and personality: Show me your unique take on this topic—make it cohesive and engaging.
2. Validated research: Back up your points with solid facts and real sources.
3. Language style: Use clear grammar, creative metaphors, and a smooth flow.
4. Aesthetics: Make the essay look great—like something you’d be proud to share as a blog post.

# Step 1: Start with the Big Picture (10 minutes)

• Let’s chat about what you think the moon landing was all about. Was it a win for science? A testament to human ingenuity? A race to prove something?
• Decide how you want to frame the essay (hint: there’s no wrong answer, but pick something that excites you!).

# Step 2: Research Time! (2 hours)

This is where you’ll gather facts. Here’s how to break it down:

# What to Look For

1. The Software:
   • What was the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC)?
   • How did it solve problems during the mission?
   • Why was it groundbreaking?
2. The People:
   • Who were the key contributors like Margaret Hamilton, Hal Laning, and others?
   • What were their roles in the mission’s success?
   • How did their work make history?

# Scoring Points

• 10 points for validated facts (total combined).
• 5 points for highlighting notable people and their contributions.
• 5 bonus points for uncovering something unusual (like how the software handled alarms during Apollo 11).

# Step 3: Plan the Essay (1 hour)

Before writing, map it out:

1. Introduction: Grab attention with a hook—set the stage for the space race or moon landing.
2. Body:
   • What challenges did the software solve?
   • Highlight specific people and their stories.
   • Show how it all ties together.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on what this meant for humanity.

# Scoring Points

• 5 points for coming up with creative metaphors (e.g., “The Apollo Guidance Computer was like a lighthouse guiding a ship through uncharted waters”).
• 5 points for clear transitions between ideas.

# Step 4: Write the Draft (2 hours)

Now it’s time to put everything together!

• Write in your own words, using the facts and ideas from your research.
• Check your grammar and flow as you go.
• You are free to use tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly for suggestions but keep it in your voice.

# Scoring Points

• 10 points for strong metaphors or analogies.
• 5 points for vivid descriptions or storytelling.

# Step 5: Make It Shine (1 hour)

• Swap drafts with your sibling to give feedback. Look for:
  • Logical flow and cohesion.
  • Creative language.
  • Valid facts.
• Revise together.
• Format it like a blog post with headings, bullet points, and an image (NASA archives are great for this!).

# Scoring Points

• 5 points for great formatting and presentation.
• 5 bonus points for finding an amazing image.

# Step 6: Publish It on Your Blogs (30 minutes)

• Post your essay on your personal blog.
• Make sure your post is well-formatted, with a strong title and any media you’ve included.
• Add a short introduction to your essay, explaining what inspired you to write it.

# Scoring Points

• 5 points for crafting a compelling blog title.
• 5 points for using a well-captioned image.

# Step 7: Critique Each Other’s Essays (30 minutes)

• Read your sibling’s blog post carefully.
• Write a critique for their essay that includes:
  • What they did well: Highlight their best points, metaphors, or creative ideas.
  • What could be improved: Give constructive feedback on areas like clarity, grammar, or research depth.
• Share your critique and discuss it together.
• Publish your critique on your social media (mastodon / bluesky)

# Scoring Points

• 10 points for thoughtful, balanced critique.

# Step 8: Share on Social Media (15 minutes)

• Post your blog essay on your social media handle.
• Write a short caption explaining what the essay is about and why it’s important to you.
• Respond to any comments or questions from readers.

# Bonus Points

• 5 points for crafting a compelling social media caption.
• 5 points for engaging with comments.

# Step 9: Celebrate Together!

Once all steps are complete, I’ll tally up your points. Like in life, it is not about winning and losing. It is about being competitive and not in competition. Then, we’ll celebrate with a cozy family movie night watching Apollo 13 and eating pizza.