1. ARTEMIS II AND THE RETURN TO THE MOON

NASA’s Artemis II mission will send four astronauts around the moon for the first crewed lunar trip in more than 50 years. The astronauts say the mission is about more than science and technology. They hope it can give people a sense of wonder and remind them that exploration can still bring people together, even during a divided time. The crew is also historically significant because it includes the first woman, the first Black astronaut, and the first Canadian to travel to the moon. At the same time, not everyone agrees on the value of returning to the moon, which has turned the mission into both a scientific event and a public debate about national priorities, inspiration, and what kind of future people want to build. Create a four-square profile chart for the Artemis II mission. In one box, explain what the mission will do. In another, describe two reasons supporters think the mission matters. In a third box, note one reason some people are skeptical about going back to the moon. In the last box, write 3 to 4 sentences explaining whether you think space exploration can still unite people today and why.

2. IMMIGRATION POLICY AND THE DOCTOR SHORTAGE

A Trump administration policy has blocked visa renewals, work permits, and green cards for people from 39 countries, and that has forced many foreign doctors to stop working in U.S. hospitals. The effects are especially serious in rural and underserved areas, where there are already not enough physicians to care for patients. Foreign-trained doctors make up a large part of the American medical system, especially in primary care fields that are often harder to staff. Hospital leaders and medical organizations warn that removing these doctors could lead to longer waits, fewer specialists, and worse health outcomes for many communities. Supporters of the policy say it is about security screening, but critics argue that it ignores how much the country depends on these physicians. Imagine you are a hospital administrator in a community with too few doctors. Write a short memo of 6 to 8 sentences to a government official explaining how this policy is affecting patient care. Include at least one example of the type of doctor a community could lose, one effect this might have on patients, and one reason critics believe doctors should be treated differently from other visa cases.

3. CDC PAUSES TESTING FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has paused or discontinued a number of diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, including rabies, chickenpox-related infections, Epstein-Barr virus, and some respiratory illnesses. Some of these tests are available through private labs, but the change still raised concern because the CDC plays an important role in tracking disease and supporting public health responses. Rabies is especially alarming because it is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, which makes quick diagnosis and treatment extremely important. The pause comes during a time of major changes at the agency, including staffing cuts and debate over vaccine guidance and public health policy. The decision has added to worries that the nation’s disease-monitoring system may become less prepared to respond quickly when dangerous infections appear. Make an emergency information card for one disease mentioned in the story, such as rabies. Your card should include a short description of how the disease spreads, why it is dangerous, and what people should do if they think they have been exposed. Then add 3 to 4 sentences explaining why testing matters in public health, especially for diseases that can spread quickly or become deadly.

4. TRUMP FIRES ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI

President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi after growing frustration over her handling of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein and other politically sensitive cases. Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, was chosen to serve as acting attorney general, while Trump reportedly considered other officials for the permanent job. Bondi had faced criticism from both lawmakers and political allies, especially over delays and confusion in releasing Epstein-related documents. Her firing also came after failed prosecutions involving some of Trump’s political opponents, which added to the controversy around her leadership. The episode shows how the attorney general’s job can become deeply political, even though the Justice Department is supposed to uphold the law fairly and independently. Write a short dialogue between two students who disagree about what this firing means. One student should argue that presidents need to replace top officials when they lose confidence in them, and the other should argue that too much political pressure can weaken trust in the justice system. Make the conversation 8 to 10 lines long and give each student at least two points connected to the story.

5. HEART ASSOCIATION ISSUES DIFFERENT DIET ADVICE

The American Heart Association released new nutrition guidance that differs in important ways from recent federal dietary advice. The group recommends a diet built around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, while also suggesting that people limit added sugar, salt, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods. It says plant-based proteins should usually be chosen over meat, and that low-fat or fat-free dairy is a better choice than full-fat dairy. This approach clashes with recent Trump administration guidance that encouraged more protein from animal sources and supported full-fat dairy. The disagreement shows that nutrition advice can become confusing when respected organizations interpret healthy eating in different ways, even while agreeing on some basics like eating fewer processed foods and less sugar. Create a chart comparing the two sets of diet advice in the story. Write two ideas both sides seem to agree on and two areas where they clearly disagree. After that, write 4 to 5 sentences explaining why it can be hard for the public to know what healthy eating advice to trust when experts do not fully agree.