Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Unit 8: Beyond Earth

WebQuest Projects 1

Introduction

In this WebQuest, students assume the role of crew members living and working on the International Space Station as they conduct research about the function, purpose, and characteristics of this unique workplace. They investigate experiments currently taking place on the Space Station, and learn about the challenges and opportunities inherent in living and working 250 miles above Earth without gravity. Students answer a series of questions based on their research, focusing on what life is like for the astronauts who spend anywhere from three to seven months of their lives in these unusual surroundings.

Task

Students will answer a set of seven questions which will help guide them through their research on the Internet. Each Web site has some of the answers, but none of the Web sites alone will address all of the questions. Students should be able to compile information to answer the questions as they read through each Web site.

As students research the answers to the questions, they will ultimately focus on what takes place on a daily basis on the International Space Station. They will use the information they gather to create “message” to family members on Earth which will take the form of a multimedia presentation. This presentation gives information about day to day activities involving work, recreation, and personal needs that take place on the Space Station.

Objectives

• Identify factors which must be considered in designing a self-contained, Earth-independent vehicle like the International Space Station.
• Explain the advantages presented by the ability to conduct research under zero-gravity conditions.
• Describe specific ways the International Space Station is used to study Earth and Earth processes.
• Describe research projects undertaken on the International Space Station that involve studying the effects of microgravity on the human body.
• Explain why both sanitation and containment of floating particles are crucial issues on the International Space Station.
• Describe how everyday activities, including eating, sleeping, exercising, and body cleansing are conducted on the International Space Station.
• Design a multimedia presentation illustrating life on board the Space Station.
  

Resources

Students will use the Internet links given to learn about the International Space Station. They will explore the design and layout of the station, and learn how construction of the largest man-made object in space is a result of global cooperation among sixteen different countries. Students will appreciate the unprecedented advantages provided by this research environment, including the ability to study certain phenomena unmasked by the effects of gravity, and the ability to conduction long-duration experiments in zero-gravity conditions. Specific types of research being conducted on the Space Station will be explored, particularly experimentation relating to Earth processes and the effects of microgravity on the human body. Students will also gain an understanding of how living and working in zero-gravity alters how daily activities like eating, sleeping, and exercising are conducted.

The resources provided will enable students to produce a multimedia presentation that illustrates daily life on the International Space Station. The presentation will use diagrams, photographs, and written information to show how astronauts live, work, and conduct their lives in this environment.

Time

1-2 weeks to answer the set of questions and develop the multimedia presentation

Process

As students conduct research by studying the Web sites provided, help them focus on the information in the questions. This will provide students a sense of direction when approaching each site. Remind students that they will use the information they are gathering to create a multimedia presentation. As they conduct research, help them think about the medium they will use. A presentation medium like PowerPoint is a powerful tool for incorporating both written and graphic information. Students should think about and catalog the images they would like to include, as well as the specific information they would like to present, while they are reviewing the Web sites.

As students create their presentations, be available to provide guidance and answer questions. Remind students that the presentation is a “message,” or “letter” to family members on Earth. As such, the presentation style should be both friendly and informal. Student should include photographs and diagrams when appropriate. Information is best presented in short, interesting bullets, rather than lengthy sentences and paragraphs. The ultimate goal of the presentation is to give someone a general feeling for what life is like for the astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Have students review the rubric to understand how the final product will be evaluated.

If time permits, allow students to share their presentations with other members of the class. To conserve time, students could be arranged in groups to present their work to three or four other students rather than the entire class.

Evaluation

You may assign ten points to each of the seven questions for a total of 70 possible points. The answers to the questions are given below. Rate the answer to each question using the following scale: Excellent – 9-10 points; Very Good – 7-8 points; Good – 5-6 points; Satisfactory – 3-4 points; Poor – 1-2 points; and Unsatisfactory – 0 points.

Answers to Questions About the International Space Station

1. Engineers had to consider a multitude of factors relating to life support, including providing and recycling both air and water, maintaining a livable temperature range, the provision and restocking of food supplies, and the removal of waste. Astronauts must be protected in the event of fire, and plans were made for emergency escape from the station should that be necessary. Electrical power was a necessity, as well as the availability of computers and the ability to communicate with Earth. In addition, the space station needed both propulsion and navigation capabilities in order to make course corrections while in orbit.
2. Large-scale events can be difficult for Earth-based scientists to study. From 250 miles in space, however, astronauts aboard the International Space Station have a unique perspective on weather phenomena like hurricanes and typhoons. Atmospheric and environmental changes resulting from volcanic eruptions, air pollution, deforestation, and water pollution can also be studied from a global, rather than local, perspective.
3. Answers will vary. Recent research topics include studies of how both posture and gait are affected by long periods of microgravity, investigations into the most effective ways to exercise to keep muscles at peak performance during long periods in zero-gravity, and studies of how increased radiation levels in space affect the human body over extended periods of time.
4. Sanitation is extremely important on the International Space Station. The astronauts live and work in confined quarters and are in close contact, making the spread of an infectious illness more likely. In addition, research shows that some microbe populations increase much more quickly in microgravity as well as in confined spaces. Crew members take special precautions with food and garbage. Trash, uneaten food, and food containers are placed in plastic bags and sealed, leaving only eating utensils and trays to be cleaned. The dining and bathroom areas are cleaned regularly.
5. Astronauts clean themselves regularly, but can only take sponge baths in space. (There is not an abundance of water, and water droplets would float around the station, potentially damaging electrical equipment.) Dirty water from the sponge is sucked into an airflow system, which deposits it into a waste collection tank. Crew members wear pants for one week, and change their socks, shirts, and underwear every two days. Clothes are sealed in plastic bags after they are worn. In zero-gravity conditions, there is no “up,” or “down,” so astronauts can sleep comfortably in either a vertical or horizontal position. Initially, crew members slept in sleeping bags that were attached to lockers. Later, horizontal bunk bed kits were added, which have a pillow and sheet, a blanket specially designed to suppress sound, a light, communications station, and a fan. Exercise is extremely important for astronauts living on the Space Station. Large muscles are not used in a weightless environment, and can atrophy over extended periods. Crew members work out based on a planned exercise program, using equipment available aboard the station.
6. The astronauts are kept extremely busy during their time on the International Space Station. During leisure time, they read, and play cards or other games, and listen to music. Some astronauts have said that the most entertaining thing to do in their leisure time is simply look out the window at the beauty of Earth below them!
7. Answers will vary. Astronauts have three meals and a snack each day, and can choose from a variety of foods available to them. A typical lunch or dinner might include shrimp cocktail, fettuccine, rice with butter, chicken, beef, tortillas, applesauce, nuts, or fresh fruit. Most crew members note that their tastes seem to change while they are in orbit. Many seem to like spicier, or more tart foods than they would normally prefer. Lemonade and salsa have been mentioned as favorites. Flour tortillas are one favorite bread item, as they do not produce any crumbs when eaten! Salt and pepper are available only in liquid form. As solid particles, they would float away, and could clog air vents or contaminate equipment.

Evaluating the Message

Use the evaluation rubric or other means to assess student presentations. Evaluation of the presentation should include both self-assessment and teacher evaluation. Students may want to base part of the assessment on feedback they receive from other students in the class who have the opportunity to view their presentations.

Conclusion

After completing the Internet research necessary to answer the question set and develop the multimedia presentation, students should be able to describe the purpose of and day-to-day activities that take place on the International Space Station. They should be able to explain how microgravity makes certain types of experimentation more effective, as well as how it affects the human body. Students should be able to describe how living in zero-gravity affects normal activities, like bathing, sleeping, and eating, and should be able to explain the importance of exercise for astronauts on board the station. The multimedia presentation should demonstrate student understanding of what life is like for a crew member living and working on the International Space Station.

Multimedia Presentation Rubric

Rate each category according to the following scale:
Excellent – 9-10 points; Very Good – 7-8 points; Good – 5-6 points; Satisfactory – 3-4 points; Poor – 1-2 points; and Unsatisfactory – 0 points.