Event Catalog
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Spacesuits
- Students
- Goddard Space Flight Center
- History
- Physical Science
- Exploring Engineering and Technology
- Exploring Space
- 02
- 01
- K
- 030 min(s)
- 050 min(s)
Why does an astronaut wear a spacesuit?
This module may be presented as a video conference AND web conference presentation (Skype or Conference Me)
If your friend were to ask you, “What is a spacesuit?” or “Why do astronauts have to wear special suits in space?” what you would tell them? NASA has spent decades meeting milestones in its quest for space exploration. One of these milestones was creating the ability for astronauts to conduct space walks. In order for astronauts to safely conduct a space walk, they must be well protected from the dangers of outer space. This module allows students to discover what a space suit is and why it is essential for astronauts to wear them in space.
| Engage | Learners will share what they know about space and why astronauts need protection in space |
| Explore | Learners will observe the characteristics of outer space and understand the importance of wearing a spacesuit in space |
| Explain | Learners will identify the parts of the spacesuit |
| Elaborate | Learners will discover the region of the body each part of the spacesuit belongs to and how it protects that region of the body |
| Evaluate | Learners will demonstrate what they have learned by completing a post-conference assessment activity. |
Sequence of Events
Students will complete a pre-conference assessment about space.
Students should bring in the following items to correspond the parts of the spacesuit:
o Headphones
o Sunglasses
o Shirt
o Pants
o Gloves
o Shoes
Vocabulary:
Astronaut- a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft s a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft
Oxygen- colorless, odorless, tasteless gaseous chemical element, which appears in great abundance on Earth; without oxygen, most organisms will die within minutes
Spacesuit- A fully equipped spacesuit is really a one-person spacecraft. The formal name for the spacesuit used on the space shuttle and International Space Station is the Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or EMU. "Extravehicular" means outside of the vehicle or spacecraft. "Mobility" means that the astronaut can move around in the suit. The spacesuit protects the astronaut from the dangers of being outside in space
Temperature- The degree or intensity of heat present in a substance or object
Students will learn about spacesuits as a NASA coordinator demonstrates the parts of the spacesuit, explains why spacesuits are important for space exploration, and connects science concepts to real-world experiences.
This event will result in an interactive activity involving Leo the Lion where students will go through each part of the spacesuit.
As part of the post-lesson activity, students will construct a chapter that can be included in their “My Big Book About Space” book.
To complete this chapter, please access the foldable instructions by clicking the link below.
Standards
National Standards: National Science Education Standards
(K-4)
PHYSICAL SCIENCE CONTENT STANDARD B:
• Properties of Objects and Materials
CONTENT STANDARD :
• The Characteristics of Organisms