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How long can people (and animals) survive in outer space?

How long can people (and animals) survive in outer space?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:

What kinds of things do you think make outer space dangerous?

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What dangers do you think there might be living inside the spacecraft?

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DISCUSS:

Which traits do you think changed while Scott Kelly was in space? Why do you think those traits changed?

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Slide Image
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trait


1 of 7

something you can observe about a living thing, such as a person's eye color or their height
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environment


2 of 7

all the living and nonliving things in a particular place
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acquired trait


3 of 7

a trait that can change based on the environment
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force


4 of 7

a push or a pull

gravity


5 of 7

an invisible force that pulls any object down, toward the Earth
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measure


6 of 7

to describe something using numbers that can be compared
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predict


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to guess what will happen based on things you know

Featured Reviews

“Very fun! The class absolutely loved the feeling of activities in space. This lesson brought up great class discussions. We all learned a lot.”
· Sarah · Teacher
“The hands-on activities where they measured each other, practiced balance, etc. They loved that and really responded.”
· Kimberly · Teacher
“The videos are always the best because of the information they provide which gives my students that boost of critical thinking skill.”
· · Teacher
“The students enjoyed our pretend trip to space and learning about the different traits that change because of no gravity in space.”
· Geri · Teacher
“real life activities to simulate what space living might be like.”
· Jamie · Teacher
“Learning about the trait change. I love the visual of what happens to the spine and how it was explained.”
· Mike · Teacher
“Students completed this lesson at their own pace. They chose their partners, completed the questions and turned it in independently! Awesome format!”
· Christina · Teacher
“Very good lesson on Traits.”
· Sherri · Teacher
“Kids love space, and to put themselves in the shoes of an astronaut made this activity a 10.”
· Jillian · Homeschooler
“As always, the students loved the activity. They were also pleased that many of them had accurately predicted the effect of low gravity over time.”
· Tricia · Teacher
“Students enjoyed the activity and working with one another!”
· Viannie · Teacher
“Students loved being able to "act out" the different effects an extended period of time had on their bodies.”
· · Teacher
“Learning how Scott Kelly changed in space!”
· Nolan · Teacher
“We loved the hands-on physical part of this lesson. Really gets the kids up an moving.”
· Amanda · Teacher
“My class loved this! The visuals of astronauts and Steve Kelley's traits after a year in space were highly motivating. My students were actively engaged and we had rich discussions because of it.”
· Jennifer · Teacher
“We liked learning about the specific ways our bodies will change in space. We also liked getting to do pushups and walking in lines to try out our balance. ”
· Sandra · Teacher
“It was fun and engaging for the whole group!”
· Mathew · Teacher
“The kids LOVED pretending to be astronauts!”
· Michele · Teacher
“Students were engaged and learned many new concepts that were fascinating.”
· Debra · Teacher
“This too was an excellent lesson. I highly recommend Mystery science”
· Kathy · Teacher
“My students loved this mystery!”
· Jennifer · Teacher
“Students enjoyed learning about the effects of space on astronauts. They also had fun measuring one another.”
· Kathryn · Teacher
“The pacing and supplemental activities. Students could easily go step-by-step and dialogue/work in pairs to complete the lesson with ease and understanding.”
· Michael · Teacher
“Very fun activities!!”
· Katrina · Homeschooler
“Kid enjoyed it. It was fun doing the exercises.”
· Melinda · Teacher
“I loved how you structured the lesson with video examples. This helped the students understand how to do the activity. They loved the videos of the astronauts! ”
· Sheryl · Teacher
“Very interesting and engaging! My students loved it!”
· Victoria · Teacher
“The class liked the Activity section a lot and were excited to imagine how their body would change if they went to space.”
· Nick · Teacher
“Terrific!”
· · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students examine how physical traits can be influenced by the environment. In the activity, Astronaut-in-Training, students analyze how a NASA astronaut’s traits changed during his “year in space.” Then they measure some of their physical traits (arm strength, height, and balance) and predict how their own traits might change after living in space.
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Traits in Space worksheet 1 per student
Traits in Space Answer Key teacher-only resource 1 per class
Rulers
1 ruler per student
Post-Its (3")
1 post-it per student
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students working alone will need help with some steps.

Each pair of students will need floor space where they can do push-ups and walk 15 heel-to-toe steps in a straight line. They will also need wall space where they can do push-ups against the wall.

Exploration

16 mins

Hands-On Activity

35 mins

Wrap-Up

4 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

Unit Reading

Unit Reading

The Scientists of Lizard Island

In this reading, scientists learn about how scientists studied what happened when new brown anoles were introduced to an island inhabited by green anoles.

Activity

Activity

Touchdown!

This cool activity challenges students to build a “lander” from simple materials, such as straws, paper, and mini-marshmallows. The goal is to create a design that will keep astronauts from getting hurt when they land on another planet. Discussion questions, extensions, and a downloadable PDF, available in both English and Spanish, are included. (Grades 3–8, NASA/JPL)

Videos

Videos

Whether you’re trying to move or work or even just breathe, living in space is filled with challenges.

  • In this video, astronaut Mark Vande Hei explains how he stays fit aboard the International Space Station. (2:57, ESA)
  • How long would you last unprotected on another world? Not long, as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explains. (2:45, Business Insider)

Mini-lessons

Mini-lessons

You can elaborate student learning and engagement with Mystery Science mini-lessons.

If you are in an NGSS state, this mini-lesson supports the DCI LS3.B: Variation of Traits

Transcripts

Credits
 
Traits Tx Lesson 3: How long can people (and animals) survive in outer space?

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