Humans in Space: Preparing for Moon, Mars and Beyond

Target Grade(s): K to 12

Overview:

What will it take to send humans to Mars and beyond? Explore how astronauts will meet their needs on extended spaceflights. Examine how space travel changes human physiology, the challenges of growing food in space and much more. Explore the history and future of NASA missions and how these missions have led to breakthroughs in pharmacology, genetics, and health sciences.

Standards-based topic areas include:

Life Science:

Photosynthesis & Productivity; Nutrient Cycling; Biotic & Abiotic Factors; Needs of Living Things; Plant Growth; Adaptations of Organisms; Human Health; Body Systems

Physical Science:

Transfer of Energy; Composition & Properties of Matter; Phase Changes; Buoyancy; Gravity & microgravity

Science Process Skills:

Making and Testing Hypotheses; Data Collection; Data Analysis & Graphing; Image Interpretation; Forming Conclusions; Scientific Instruments; Using Models; Measurement; Engineering Design

Science, Technology, Society:

Exploration; Science and Technology in Society; Risk Benefit Analysis; Nature of Science

Course Objectives:

Participants will:

• Describe the nutritional, physical, and mental needs of astronauts and how needs are meet.
• Explore related physical and life science concepts and content.
• Use the context of human space flight to teach Earth, Life, and Physical Science concepts.
• Describe the history and future of human space flight.
• Incorporate curricular resources from NASA missions and sources into regular classroom instruction.
• Use the inquiry-process to design a growth chamber for -- space seed -- to grow.
• Adopt inquiry and technology-based teaching and learning strategies and successfully implement them in the classroom.
• Develop classroom implementation with themes of energy, microgravity and habitat to address regular science content goals.

Additional Study:

After the interactive sessions, participants select from a variety of assignments in order to complete the necessary hours to earn credit for the course. Assignment choices include:

• Utilizing videos and visualizations of NASA scientists and related science content.
• Creating instructional units that incorporate spaceflight into the regular curriculum.
• Researching the history and future of human space flight.
• Implementing the Engineering Design Challenge into the classroom and assessing impact on teaching and learning.

Participants Receive:

Lesson plans for middle and high school, and a resource page with key links for the classroom integrating the elements of the course with science content.

What Do I Do Next?

Participant may:

• Take the 4 live session course: 'Humans in Space' with STS-118;
• Take the course for graduate credit - THREE; or
• Take the course for 45 Continuing Education Hours.