Q Understanding how the world of aviation continues to connect the past with the present and, in some cases, the future, provides an opportunity for each of us to gain a better understand the course content and its link to our society and culture. In these activities, you will use textbook readings and critical thinking skills to expand your knowledge and explore different facets of aviation. Each module week you will explore a topic of your choice from a credible source and use your new knowledge from your textbook to form a link (compare and contrast) between the invention of your chosen means of transportation and its current use. For Example: How did the invention of gliders add to the field of aviation? Did their utilization evolve over time? Current Events assignments use the discussion forum as a means for you to submit your deliverable; however, these assignments do not follow the discussion activity guidelines. A Current Events assignment occurs in Modules 1 - 9. You are required to contribute to at least four of the nine modules. Although you are only required to contribute a post in four of the modules, do not procrastinate. You will need to find a unique source. You may not post the same contribution as another student, so it is best to start looking for material early in the module. You do not need to reply to other classmates during the module weeks you do not submit a current event. For these assignments, you can write from any perspective or lens that interests you: historical, scientific, technological, engineering, or mathematical. Your current event deliverable must connect to course materials (i.e., textbook readings) and credible outside sources (News websites, Hunt Library Articles, etc.). Use in-text citations and provide at least one reference for both the outside source and textbook (for use of your new knowledge) in a reference area following your work. Properly document your citations and references (according to current APA standard) and ensure your submission is plagiarism-free. Do not use Encyclopedias or Wikipedia as a resource. Review the evaluation rubric for grading details. Please read these instructions for information on accessing the rubric. (Links to a Before you begin this activity, please review the Current Events Overview information. For this activity, explore NASA and Soviet space agency during 1945-198 and today's privatized rocket programs and efforts (i.e., International Space Station. Use information from a credible source and use your new knowledge to compare and contrast the United States NASA and Soviet government owned space programs of 1945-1958 to the current privatization of rocket programs and cooperative efforts. Read-it-Up Using one of the news websites from the provided list, search for a current news story/event that demonstrates a chosen area of aviation over time for this assignment. Your current news selection must be within the last 180 days. Examine the news story or event, reflect, and consider all aspects and viewpoints the author provides. Sum-it-Up / Relate-it-Up In your initial post (must be 150 words), show a clear connection between the news story/event and the course materials. If there is no connection to course materials (textbook), you will lose 40 points. State the title of the news story and include the link so that others can access the story. Summarize the story and explain the cause and effect relationships for your chosen area of aviation for this assignment. You may apply any lens you wish to use when constructing this assignment: historic, scientific, technological, engineering, or math. Be sure to use an in-text citation at the end of each sentence where you have linked to the course materials (textbook) and any other source you cite (your article and outside source). Include all source information for your article, outside source(s), and the textbook in a reference area following your work. For correct formatting of citations and references, please refer to the current APA manual or the APA Style website. (Links Discuss-it-Up Choose two of your classmates' initial posts and read the summary each provides. Examine the article associated with the post and provide a substantive reply (two to three sentences) relating the article to a point or concept from the course reading and or learning material. Simply stating you agree or disagree is not conducive to an ongoing discussion.