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OBJECTIVES:
Students learn about gravity and acceleration on earth and on other
planetary objects in space. Students solve an engineering problem by
designing and/or building one of three engineering problems dealing
with living and working in space.
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
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Be sure to emphasize differences between the Earth's
gravity and the microgravity of space or the reduced/increased gravity on
other planets in our solar system.
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MATERIALS:
- A Large Sheet of White Paper for Each Group of Students or
- 1 8 1/2" x 11" Sheet of Paper for Each Student
- Colored Pens or Pencils
- Rulers
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Ask the students to work in groups and
design their choice of: a piece of exercise equipment; a living area; a
drinking device or a food tray for the new International Space Station.
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Students will learn a great deal from
their "design errors" - so ask them to review the
ideas that they decided would not work - and congratulate them.
For example, students may determine that certain foods will not
stay in the tray, or that the tray will not
lay on a table, they cannot just tilt the glass
up to their mouths and let gravity roll their drink into
their mouths, adding weights in an exercise workout in space
does not add resistance.
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