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Living and Working in Space
03.30.06
Astronauts living and working on the International Space Station today are preparing for missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. Understanding the unique microgravity environment astronauts experience in orbit is the goal of the "Living and Working in Space" theme. Join NASA during the week of April 14-23, 2006, as we explore life in space today, and what it means for the missions of tomorrow.

NASA TV Education Schedule
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An astronaut dressed in shorts and a t-shirt floats in microgravity while he works on equipment on the ISS
What's an Extra? Each month a list of resources for educators is gathered to support a theme related to NASA. Visit each month to find new educational materials, classroom activities, games, pictures, NASA TV broadcasts and Web sites.

Image to right: Astronaut Bill McArthur performs preventive maintenance and cleaning of the ventilation systems of the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

NASA Educational Products

The words The International Space Station above an image of the ISS International Space Station Poster (All Grades)
This poster shows an artist's rendition of the International Space Station with all its components. There is a drawing on the back and classroom activities about how to construct a model of the space station.
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The front cover of the Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide with images of spacewalks in the background Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide (Grades 5-12)
This guide focuses on the technology behind space suits. Briefly discussed are the space environment, the history of spacewalking, NASA's current space suits and the work that astronauts do during spacewalks. Classroom activities, a glossary and NASA resources are included in the guide.
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The words Build It With Spacewalks above an image of an astronaut on a spacewalk and another picture of an astronaut in a spacesuit Build It With Spacewalks Poster (Grades K-12)
Why are plastic tubing, pressurization, bearings and colored strips important components of a space suit? This poster explains it all. Educational segments on the back include a brief history of space suits and spacewalks, the parts of a space suit, and five lesson plans based on national standards. A list of additional resources is also included.
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The front cover of the Space Food and Nutrition guide with a picture of the International Space Station in space in the center Space Food and Nutrition Educator Guide (Grades K-8)
From John Glenn orbiting the Earth to today's astronauts living on the International Space Station, space food research has met the challenge of providing food that tastes good and travels well in space. The activities in this NASA educator guide emphasize hands-on and cooperative involvement of students as they explore the unique challenges of keeping astronauts happy and healthy in space.
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The front cover of the Brain in Space educator guide with the words The Brain in Space above an image of a shuttle flying by an image of a brain with kids below it The Brain in Space Educator Guide (Grades 5-12)
Neuroscience is the study of the ways in which the body's brain, spinal cord and network of nerves control the activities of animals and humans. This guide targets a high school audience and provides background material and activities related to NASA's Neurolab research.
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The front cover of the Microgravity Educator Guide with the words Microgravity above an image of the ISS, the space shuttle and a math equation Microgravity Educator Guide (Grades 5-12)
This educator guide contains excellent background information accompanied by classroom activities. The activities enable students to experiment with the forces and processes that microgravity scientists are investigating today.
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NASA Educational Multimedia Materials

Picture of CD, tape, slides and guides
The Central Operation of Resources for Educators, or CORE, is the worldwide distribution center for NASA-produced multimedia materials. Education Modules for themes are bundled by topic and may include CD-ROMs, videotapes, educator guides, posters, lithographs, books, lesson plans, bookmarks, fact sheets, slide sets and activity kits.

Image to right: NASA develops multimedia resources for educators.

Module Spotlight:

Living in Space
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Living and Working in Space Bulletin Board Collection
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Search words for CORE Materials: living in space, working in space

CORE
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Follow the Theme -- Activities, Adventures and Web Sites of Interest

Apples, oranges and lemons float freely around the head of astronaut Mike Fincke Living In Space
Learn more about how astronauts eat, sleep, work and play in space.
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Space shuttle docked with the space station International Space Station Gallery
Image, video and audio files from every ISS mission are available on this site.
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Photo of the Expedition 10 crew Expedition 10 Earth Observation Photos
Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao, who lived aboard the International Space Station from October 2004 to April 2005, took more than 24,000 Earth observation photos from his high vantage point in orbit. These are his 10 favorite photos from space.
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Two astronauts checking the mail in space Life Sciences Data Archive:
Just for Fun and To Live and Work Aboard the Space Shuttle
This section was built to demonstrate how astronauts accomplish the daily routines on board the space shuttle and conduct the work that needs to be completed during their mission. It is no longer updated, but has been archived for future use.
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Astronaut Ed Lu eating food in space Space Food Tidbits
Food offers the comforts of home to astronauts living in space.
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Image of the International Space Station

Station Explorer Interactive
Check out this interactive view of the International Space Station.
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NASA's Digital Learning Network™: History of Humans in Space
This presentation traces the history of human space exploration beginning with the single-orbit flight of Yuri Gagarin in 1961. Problems to be overcome during launch, orbit, spacewalking, rendezvous docking and reentry are discussed. American and Russian space programs are described, as well as current plans for the ISS.
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Astronaut Photos of Earth
This site contains over 400,000 photos taken from the shuttle and ISS.
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Liftoff to Learning: "Living in Space"
Join astronauts for their daily routine aboard the shuttle. In this video students see the similarities and differences in eating, exercising, relaxing, maintaining personal hygiene, sleeping and working in space versus on Earth.
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Guess the Space Food
Can you tell strawberries from tomatoes?
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History of Human Space Flight
More than four decades of technological and human advancement are chronicled on this site. Learn about Kennedy Space Center's crucial role in NASA's human space flight program.
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KSNN™ Exploration System
This section of the Kids Science News Network has videos and lesson plans that can be used to answer many of the questions students ask about living and working in space.
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Let's Go to Mars!
But first, what will you take with you?
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Digital Learning Network™: Reduced Gravity: Effects on the Human Body
Long-term exposure to a reduced-gravity environment can affect the human body. During the videoconference, students will develop an understanding of reduced-gravity environments and why research and countermeasures are needed for human exploration of space. Join the event to visit NASA centers and learn about their unique facilities where reduced-gravity experiments are conducted!
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Videos showcased in the April 2006 Education File Schedule to support "Living and Working in Space" are:
Destination Tomorrow™ Eleven (9-Adult)
Destination Tomorrow™ Fifteen (9-Adult)
Destination Tomorrow™ Seventeen (9-Adult)
Destination Tomorrow™ Nineteen (9-Adult)
Destination Tomorrow™ Twenty-One (9-Adult)
Liftoff to Learning: All Systems Go (5-12)
Liftoff to Learning: Go for EVA (K-8)
Liftoff to Learning: Living in Space (K-4)
Liftoff to Learning: Space Basics (5-8)
Liftoff to Learning: The Atmosphere Below (5-12)
Liftoff to Learning: Toys in Space II (K-12)
NASA CONNECT™: Doing More in Less (K-4)
NASA CONNECT™: Path of Totality: Measuring Angular Size and Distance (6-8)
NASA CONNECT™: Rocket to the Stars (6-8)
NASA CONNECT™: Who Added the Micro to Gravity? (6-8)
NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Galactic Vacation (3-5)
NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Great Space Exploration (3-5)
NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Zany Animal Antics (3-5)
Passport to Knowledge: Pluto (6-10)
THAT NASA SHOW - Program 1: Tortillas in Space (3-8)
What's in the News: Space Episode 3: A Force of Nature (4-12)
What's in the News: Space Episode 7: Living in Space (4-12)
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Additional Resources

KSNN™: Did you know astronauts' bodies change shape in space?
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NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate
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NASA - Humans in Space
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NASA Human Space Flight
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Space Flight Questions and Answers
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EdSpace: Living and Working in Space
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Worldbook@NASA: Space Exploration
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StarChild Space Stuff
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NASA - New Vision of Exploration
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Imagine Mars
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Prepare for the Human Exploration of Mars
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