North Carolina Science Grade 6

Unit 3: Earth and Beyond

Unit Project 3

Space Science Spin-offs

Project Type: Technology
Ask students to use current technology to research products first designed for use in the space program, and now commonly used by the pubic. Have students choose one or more inventions in transportation, medical equipment, and new materials to study more in depth. Students should then design a mobile to display written information and picture of the space science spin-offs.

Introduction:
Many products and technology designed and produced for use in space exploration programs have successfully transitioned from use in space to use in today's commercial and consumer markets. One example, from the NASA Apollo program from the 1960s, is the development of rechargeable tools. Originally developed to assist astronauts with repairs that needed to be made during missions in space, the technology for rechargeable tools has been transformed for use in flashlights, cordless drills, and other common-place consumer products.

Students will investigate products and technology that have made their way from outer space to the home or workplace. They will design a mobile that describes the technology or product's original design and use the how it has transitioned for use in today's consumer world.

Task:
Students will use the resources listed to learn more about products and technology that were used by NASA and other agencies in space exploration missions. Students will summarize their research by creating a mobile to describe how products and technology originally designed for use in space programs have migrated into use in commercial and consumer markets. The mobile should use pictures, drawings, text, charts, graphs, and other ways to show how the product or technology being investigated went from being used in the space program to being integrated into more routine uses.

The mobile should include information that answers the following questions:

• What is the product or technology that was originally developed for the space program?
• What was the product or technology originally developed or intended for?
• What space mission(s) was the product or technology used on?
• How has the product or technology transitioned to be used for commercial or consumer applications?
• What is the product or technology used for today?

Time:
2 class periods; one to research and one to build the mobile.

Possible Resources:
Investigate these Web sites to find out more information about products and technology that were originally designed and used in the space program and are now part of life beyond the space program.

NASA Spinoffs from Space
http://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/HAS/cirr/ss/3/5.cfm

NASA Spinoffs - Bringing Space Down to Earth
http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html

InfoWorld - NASA to Build 10,000 Processor Linux Computer
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/07/28/HNnasalinux_1.html

NASA Innovative Partners Program
http://nctn.hq.nasa.gov/

NASA - Food Technology
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/ftcsc/pages/proddev.htm

NASA Space Place
http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/en/kids/spinoffs2.shtml

Click here for a rubric to help you score this project. (64.0K)