Science experiments in space

April 24, 2001
Web posted at: 5:47 PM EDT (2147 GMT)

Curriculum connections: Science/technology- Designing an experiment; experiments in space

Objectives
Students will be able to:

• Identify both short and long-term effects of microgravity on the human body.
• Design an experiment to be conducted aboard an orbiter in space.
• Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of conducting science experiments in space.
• Predict how conducting experiments in space will affect the future of human space travel.

Standards
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning
Nature of Science, Understands the nature of scientific inquiry, grades nine -12 High schools students should be able to design and conduct scientific investigations (e.g., formulate testable hypotheses; identify and clarify the method, controls, and variables; organizes, displays, and analyze data; revise methods and explanations; present results; receive critical response from others)

Benchmarks On-Line
Technology and science, grades nine-12
High school students should know that technological problems often create a demand for new scientific knowledge, and new technologies make it possible for scientists to extend their research in new ways or to undertake entirely new lines of research. The very availability of new technology itself often sparks scientific advances.

Background information:
Short-term effects on the human body while in space: Without the pressure of gravity pushing down along the spine, the spine rebounds and extends. Depending on the original height of the astronaut, he/she can grow as much as 1-2 inches during a shuttle mission. Body posture may also change as knees bend upward toward the chest and elbows bend the arms "upward' to shoulder level while the hands float in front. The head also angles down toward the chest.

Long- term effects on the human body while in space:
Humans will experience the loss of muscle strength. Nitrogen is lost by muscle cells due to lack of use. To counteract this, astronauts now exercise two hours a day in orbit. Also, humans will experience the loss of calcium and other minerals from bones. This is not correctable once the damage has been done. Spacelab consists of two components. The most familiar is an enclosed, pressurized laboratory module containing utilities, computers, work areas and instrument racks for experiments, where astronauts may work without space suits. The other type of component is a set of unpressurized platforms, called, "pallets," where such instruments as telescopes, antennas, and sensors are mounted for direct exposure to space. Experiments are stored in racks; the racks are available in single or double-width. The single racks are 19 inches wide.

Materials
CNNfyi.com article, "Researchers study 'weightlessness' effects in space"
Internet access
Chart paper, colored pens and pencils

Suggested time One class period

Procedure
1. Have students read the CNNfyi.com article, "Researchers study 'weightlessness' effects in space," and ask the following:

• What is the human research facility? What has been the focus of research at NASA's Ames Research Center? How is research on the effects of weightlessness conducted? Do you think this is a valid experiment? Why or why not? According to the article, what are some of the effects of weightlessness on the body? Why do you think it is important to find out the effects that weightlessness produces in the body?
• What is the purpose of the Countermeasures, Evaluation and Validation project? What is resistance exercise? How do you think resistance exercises might prevent "puny leg syndrome"? According to the article, what are some experiments in orbit on the International space station?

2. Inform students of the process for an experiment in space. First, a scientist conceives an experiment and submits a proposal for conducting the research to NASA or another organization. Next, the funding organization oversees its development, testing and integration onto a flight into space. Experiments may be conducted automatically, remotely or by the crew. Data is then returned to the scientist. Finally, results are compiled and analyzed. Conclusions are written and disseminated to the scientific community.

3. Divide the students into small groups. Direct each group to design an experiment to be conducted aboard an orbiter in space. Each group should determine the hypothesis and procedures for their experiment. Students should also include how to gather data for their experiment. Students may want to include charts and graphs they would use for gathering their data. Students should create a detailed explanation of their experiment to present to the class.

Assessment
Based on their group work, have each student write about potential benefits and drawbacks of conducting scientific experiments aboard an orbiter in space. Direct students to include specific examples from their group's experiment. Within their essays, have students answer the question, "How could the results of this experiment affect future space travel for humans?"

Accommodations
Logical/mathematical
Students can compare and contrast scientific experiments on Earth and aboard an orbiter in space using a Venn diagram.

Challenge
Students can prepare a 3-5 minute video presentation describing the differences and similarities that would occur while conducting their experiment on Earth and aboard an orbiter in space. Have students include how and why the different locations of the experiments will affect their outcomes. Which "laboratory" will give a more valid outcome? Which will yield more reliable results? Ask students to explain their answers.

First crew heads home
March 19, 2001

International Space Station: Science
Astrobiology: The Living Universe - Physiological Effects of Weightlessness
What is Space Science ?
OBPR Enterprise Web Site

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