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Shuttle Tiles

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Space Shuttle Tiles lesson cover showing a close-up view of the front of the space shuttle.

Audience

Educators

Grade Levels

Grades K-4, Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12

Subject

Physical Science, Flight and Aeronautics

Type

Lesson Plans / Activities

STRUCTURES AND MATERIALS

Shuttle Tiles

In this Shuttle Tiles activity, students will calculate the number of tiles and weight to cover an area of the shuttle (15 feet by 22 feet) based on the shuttle tile included in the MIB. The students then determine the launch costs for the weight of the tiles determined.

Shuttle Tiles (2-4)

Grade Level: 2-4

Time Required: 60 minutes

National Science Standards Addressed:

Science:

  • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
  • Understanding about scientific inquiry
  • Property of objects and materials
  • Light, heat, electricity, magnetism
  • Abilities of technological design
  • Understanding about science and technology

Topic: Area, Weight, Cost

Grade Level: 5-8

This activity is divided into 2 parts—Task 1 Shuttle Tile Density and Task 2 Thermal Properties. During the first task the students will determine the density of the shuttle tile included in the MIB. The students will then do Task 2 to demonstrate the thermal properties of a shuttle tile. Use the background material as a lead into the activity.

Shuttle Tiles (5-8)

Time Required: 60 minutes

National Science Standards Addressed:

Science:

  • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
  • Understanding about scientific inquiry
  • Properties and changes of properties in matter
  • Abilities of technological design
  • Understanding about science and technology

Topic: Density, Thermal Properties, Structures and Materials, Temperature

Grade Level: 9-12

In this activity, students observe the properties of a space shuttle tile and consider how these properties relate to the threats imposed on the shuttle by space debris. The students will use a tissue paper covered box to represent the tile as they experiment to determine the amount of energy required to penetrate the tissue paper.

Shuttle Tiles (9-12)

Space Shuttle Tiles (9-12) Supplemental Lesson

Time Required: 60 minutes

National Science Standards Addressed:

Science:

  • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
  • Understanding about scientific inquiry
  • Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
  • Science as human endeavor
  • Nature of scientific knowledge
  • Historical perspectives

Topic: Mass, Velocity, Work, Energy, Power, Acceleration

This activity is part of the Museum in a Box Lessons