Should We Colonize the Moon?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What can we learn by living on the moon? Are settlements there worth the expense?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether it’s worth it for the U.S. to build permanent colonies to live, work, and conduct research on the moon. The issue is timely because NASA’s Artemis program is working toward that goal.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Brian Patrick Green is the head of an organization that looks at the ethics of space exploration. Linda Billings is a consultant for NASA and is interested in the social issues surrounding science and space exploration.)  

• Analyze Green’s view. (Green argues that we should colonize the moon because it will teach us more about how the moon and Earth were formed, help us develop new technologies, encourage international cooperation, and give us access to potentially useful new resources.)

• Analyze Billings’s view. (Billings argues against colonizing the moon. She says that people care more about solving problems on Earth, like climate change, so we should focus our resources here. She also argues that colonization may lead to exploitation and conflict, and the expense to taxpayers would benefit only the aerospace industry.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should we colonize the moon? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate. 

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.