Year 7 - Life in Space Research Task
This task consists of 2 parts:
Part 1: Group activity sheet: How Do Astronauts Live in Space? Due _____________
Part 2: Letter home from the International Space Station (ISS)
Due _____________
What do think it would be like to live in space on the International Space Station for a
month? Think about the following problems you might have:
 weightless environment of the ISS.
 everyday activities, like eating, taking a shower, and using the bathroom.
What might be some other challenges of living on the ISS?
LIFE IN SPACE TASK Part 1: You will be working in groups of 3-4 students and using
the Internet or other resource materials to answer questions about living in space.
a) Record your findings on the activity sheet: How Do Astronauts Live in Space?
b) Present your findings to the class as a group presentation. You may use a
poster or PowerPoint presentation to support your presentation.
Group 1: Food
How has the food that astronauts eat changed over the last 50 years?
What kinds of foods do astronauts eat in space today?
What methods are used to prevent food from spoiling?
If you lived in space for a month, what foods do you think you would miss the most?
Explain your answer.
Web Resources
http://www.pbs.org/spacestation/station/living_eating.htm
Group 2: Space Suits
What are the main parts of a space suit? How do they work?
Do astronauts have to wear the space suits all the time? Why or why not?
What are some safety measures that are built into space suits?
Do you think space suits are comfortable? Why or why not?
Web Resources
http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-suit.htm
http://www.pbs.org/spacestation/station/living_spacesuit.htm
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4026/noord47.html
Group 3: Extra-terrestrial Experiments
What are some examples of experiments that are conducted on the ISS?
What do scientists hope to learn about life in space?
How do scientists conduct controlled experiments in space?
Name two findings that have emerged from experiments done in space.
Web Resources
http://nasawatch.com/
Group 4: Sanitation in Space
How do astronauts shower and use the bathroom in space?
Do they have to wash dishes or laundry?
How do they keep their living quarters clean?
What special sanitation issues do astronauts face that those of us on Earth don’t worry
about?
Web Resources
http://www.pbs.org/spacestation/station/living_sanitation.htm
Group 5: Sleep and Relaxation
Do astronauts require more or less sleep than normal when they are in space?
How many hours of sleep do astronauts usually get each night?
How do astronauts relax in space?
Do astronauts sleep in a bed? If they do not, how do they sleep?
Web Resources
http://www.pbs.org/spacestation/station/living_sleeping.htm
LIFE IN SPACE TASK - Part 2:
You have been given the opportunity to work and live on the ISS for a month. Using all
the information that you learned during the first part of this task, write an interesting and
informative letter home addressing the problems and experiences you have whilst living in
space. Use the correct format for writing a letter and edit your work for grammar,
punctuation and spelling mistakes.
Length: 400 – 500 words. Refer to the Assessment rubric below for specific criteria
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Books about the ISS
The International Space Station
Franklyn Mansfield Branley. HarperCollins, 2000.
The International Space Station
Wolfgang Englehardt. Tessloff Publishers, 1998.
Space Station Science Marianne J. Dyson. Scholastic Inc., 1999.
Web Sites on the ISS:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/index.html
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/wr/article/0,28391,55023,00.html
http://earth.jsc.nasa.gov
Name:
Life in Space Assessment Rubric
Needs improvement
1 point
PART 1
Satisfactory
2 points
Very good
3 points
Excellent
4 points
How Do Astronauts Live in Space?
Group work
Did not work
Worked somewhat
effectively in a group. effectively in the
group.
Research
Did not research
individual section
adequately. Could
not demonstrate
understanding
Researched
Researched
individual section
individual section in
briefly, demonstrating some detail,
a basic
demonstrating some
understanding
understanding
Group presentation
Presentation was
rushed and not
prepared.
Presentation showed
some consideration
and preparation
Researched
individual section
thoroughly and
accurately,
demonstrating
excellent
understanding
PART 2 Letter home from the International Space Station (ISS)
Content
Missing significant
content
Understanding
Letter shows gaps in Satisfactory
Shows good
understanding
understanding shown understanding
Format
Incorrect format of
letter used
Correct format of
letter used most of
the time
Spelling/Grammar
Little or no evidence
of editing - incorrect
grammar,
punctuation and/or
spelling mistakes
Some evidence of Evidence of editing editing - few grammar correct grammar, no
punctuation or
punctuation or
spelling mistakes
spelling mistakes
Overall grade
Teacher comment
Covered all areas
required
All areas covered in Thoroughly and
good detail
accurately covers all
areas in excellent
detail
Correct format of
letter used
consistently
Excellent
understanding
demonstrated
throughout letter
Name:
Life in Space Group activity sheet: How Do Astronauts Live in Space?
Other group members’ names:
Your Research Topic: ______________________________________ Group no.___
The specific question that you are researching
___________________________________________________________________
Due date for research completion: _____________
Due date for group presentation : _____________
Notes:
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