Train Like an Astronaut

    The Fit Explorer Mission Handouts are “mission assignments” for students, which illustrate physical activities utilizing the same body parts/systems as NASA astronauts. They may be used by individual students or delivered to an audience of students by educators.

    The Mission Handouts contain a crew member mission, mission briefing, mission assignment, and mission purpose, plus gives vocabulary and related NASA facts. Safety guidelines are also provided for a successful completion of each mission! The Mission Handout physical activities can be practiced over time – simultaneously or one per week.

    These handouts should be reviewed and understood by the student prior to participation in the physical activity.

    Correlated to the National Education Standards, the Mission Handout Educator Guide will provide NASA background information and also give hints on delivery of the physical activity to students. Monitoring and assessing are included in the guide for use before, during and after the delivery of the physical activities. Additional resources and career links can be accessed as extensions to the Mission Handouts.

    Mission Handout Videos are now available! View the following Mission Handout pages to see the videos!

Mission Handouts

  • Fit Explorer kid walking.

    Base Station Walk-Back

    Students will train to improve lung, heart, and other muscle endurance as they walk a progressive, measured distance.

  • Fit Explorer kid doing strength training.

    Crew Strength Training

    Students will train to develop upper and lower body strength in their muscles and bones by performing body-weight squats and push-ups.

  • Fit Explorer doing the crab walk.

    Do a Spacewalk!

    Students will train to increase muscular strength and improve upper and lower body coordination by performing the “bear crawl” and the ‘’crab walk”.

  • Fit Explorer kid jumping

    Jump for the Moon

    Students will train to increase bone strength and to improve heart and other muscle endurance by performing jump training with a rope, both while stationary and moving.

  • Fit Explorer kid balancing on one foot.

    Mission: Control!

    Students will train to improve balance and spatial awareness by performing throwing and catching techniques on one foot.