Spacesuits and Spacewalks -- Education Activities

Spacesuits protect astronauts from the hazards of space. Image Credit: NASA Are you looking for activities that help students learn about and design spacesuits? Start here.

Engage students in hands-on, minds-on activities related to spacesuits and spacewalks. Activities are based on national education standards for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.


Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide -- Grades 5-12
This NASA educator guide for grades 5-12 focuses on the technology behind spacesuits. Briefly discussed are the space environment, the history of spacewalking, NASA's current spacesuits and the work that astronauts do during spacewalks.
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Keeping Your Cool -- Grades 5-12
The two investigation activities in this Exploration Brief allow students to demonstrate the principle behind the operation of the space shuttle extravehicular mobility unit, or spacesuit. Students will also be able to experience the water-cooling technology of the EMU. 
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Micrometeoroids and Space Debris -- Grades 5-12
This Exploration Brief discusses ways that engineers design protection from micrometeoroids for spacecraft. Students simulate the high-speed micrometeoroid impacts with three simple activities.
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Bending Under Pressure -- Grades 5-12
In this activity, students will observe how an external joint in a spacesuit arm segment increases the bendability of the segment.
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Absorption and Radiation -- Grades 5-9
Spacesuits are constructed of materials with desirable thermal properties that reduce the suit's dependence on its heating and cooling system. This activity investigates the effect surface color has on heat absorption and radiation.
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International Space Station: The First Step In Exploration Poster -- Grades K-12
The poster displays an artistic depiction of the space station when it is complete. The back of the poster explains the basic facts about the station and its many components. Three hands-on technology activities help students understand how the station works. National education standards associated with the activities on this poster are listed on the back of the poster. Demonstration videos for activities are available.
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Build It With Spacewalks Poster -- All Ages
Educational segments on the back of the poster include a brief history of spacesuits and spacewalks, the parts of a spacesuit, and five lesson plans based on national standards. A list of additional resources is also included. National education standards associated with the activities on this poster are listed on the back of the poster.
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