Extensions
Space Colony Webquest
Children ages 11–13 are challenged to work in teams to develop a proposal to put a colony of 600 humans somewhere beyond Earth. A teacher page is also provided.
Space Colony Design Challenge
NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research works to understand how people can live and work in space. The site offers links to information about designing successful colonies in space and on other planets. Children ages 11–17 can enter a contest, sponsored by NASA Ames Research Center, to design a space colony. Selected entries of past contest winners can also be viewed.
Space Settlement Design Competition
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's challenge to high school students to design space colonies.
Lost in Space
Mars landing demonstration for children ages 7–11 illustrates the challenges of landing on a planet.
Lift-Off to Learning: Living in Space
Children ages 8–14 explore aspects of living in space, including food preparation, microgravity, and relaxation. Short hands-on activities spark the conversation. An accompanying online video enhances discussion.
Food Preparation for Space
Children learn about how food is prepared for use in space by rehydrating dried foods. They learn the importance of “traveling light.”
Dehydrating Food for Space Flight
Children explore how water is reduced during dehydration of fresh food and why dehydrated food is preferred for space flight.
Food Production
Children are challenged to design a system for maintaining a food supply for a human settlement on the Moon.
Inflatable Greenhouses
This activity builds on space colony greenhouses and allows children ages 5–9 to observe plant growth using large clear balloons, soil, and seeds.
Space Seeds Return to Earth
Children explore gardening in space.
Solar-Powered Cooking
Learn about solar power onboard the International Space Station and harness the energy of the Sun to cook food.
Classifying Space Food
Children classify food for the International Space Station into the major food groups to ensure that the astronauts will eat healthy meals.
Ripening of Fruits and Vegetables
Children compare how fast food ripens when exposed to the air versus protected by a non-ripening agent and learn about packaging of food for the space station.
Mold Growth
Children experiment with mold growth on different types of bread and reflect on what this means for preserving food on space stations, where food is stored at room temperature. The children compare the ingredients of tortillas from home with those that travel into space.
How Much is Waste?
Children investigate how food products are packaged and the waste that results from the packaging. They reflect on waste containment on space stations.
Air Supply
Children design and build a craft-model air supply system for a human settlement on the Moon. They reflect on what the lunar atmosphere is like, what humans need to breathe, and how oxygen is obtained on Earth.
Satellite Delay Relay
Children ages 9–11 learn the challenges of satellite communication as they work to instruct each other in building a model space station. Satellite Simulation
Children ages 9–11 use flashlights, a laser pointer, and mirrors to learn how satellites send communications to space colonies.
Balloon-Powered Nanorover
Children ages 10–15 build a nanorover made from three styrofoam meat trays. Adult assistance will be needed.
Building a Droid for the ISS
Children investigate the use of robots on a space station and build a model of a helpful robot. This activity could be modified to include different craft materials to build the robots. Encourage the children to let their imaginations roam!
Growing Crystals
Children can learn how to grow sugar crystals (another basic recipe for a solution for growing crystals can be found at this site). Commercial kits also are available. For connections to space, but at a higher level, visit this site. A crystal growth experiment can be found at this site.
Space Walking in Style
Children ages 5–9 design a space backpack and helmet. Destination Mars
Lesson plans to engage children ages 11–14 in Mars and its exploration. Activities explore getting to Mars, the Mars environment, and the search for life on other planets. Developed by the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science group at Johnson Space Center.
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Last updated
January 21, 2005
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