Is There Poop on the Moon? (Minute Physics)

Context for Use: 

This is a great warm-up video to a unit on the moon.  I show both the minute physics video and the smarter every day video back to back with a short pause for discussion in-between.  The third video is good background information for students and teachers and is part of a one-hour Mythbusters special on busting the (ridiculous) myth that we didn't go to the moon.  

  • Video 1: Discussion of waste left on the moon (3:02)
  • Video 2: Demonstration/discussion of astronaut waste elimination systems and corner-reflector experiments left on moon (5:57)
  • Video 3: Mythbusters stars Adam and Jamie enlist scientists from the Apache Point Observatory to once and for all prove that yes, we did go to the moon. (4:42)

Full Mythbusters episode: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2m7k1z

Attached PDF is useful read from Smithsonian about moon landing conspiracy theories and their origins. (2009)

Source: http://www.smithsonianconference.org/apollo/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/D...

Recommended Grade: 
Middle School
High School