Lesson Plan: How the Cold War Arms Race Fueled a Sprint to the Moon – Teaching With Primary Sources (Scaffolded Writing Resources)
Grades 8-12
NASA didn’t just build rockets—it built public excitement. During the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union competed to prove who was more advanced in space exploration. To gain public support for the Apollo Program, NASA used television, photography, press kits, and even product endorsements to shape how Americans saw the Space Race. In this lesson, you’ll explore how media and marketing were crucial in sending astronauts to the Moon and compare NASA’s approach to modern government communication efforts.
Sign up to instantly access
free resources for teachers
With 300+ short-form documentaries and dozens of educator-approved lesson plans, Retro Report brings history to life in your classroom.
Register for free to access classroom materials and student activities.
Already have an account? Sign In.
Thank you for registering!
