Lesson Title:   Space Flight Simulation
 
Grade Level:    Middle (Adjustable up and down)
 
Subject Area:   Science, Computers, Mathematics, Research skills,
                Geography, Telecommunications
 
Name:           Meri V. Cummings
                cumminm@mail.firn.edu
 
Overview:
 
In this lesson, the classroom was converted into an experimental laboratory
on the Space Shuttle "SS Endeavor", a planning mission for a future flight
to Mars.  Eighteen stations were set up around the room, through which
paired students, working as "Mission Specialist Teams", rotated.  Students
collected data at each station, which they recorded in a Mission Log Book
(handout packet).
 
At one station, students entered data into a spreadsheet and calculated
averages.  At the penultimate station, students used a sample message to
write their own e-mail messages describing the experimental setup or
results, which they transmitted to other schools at the "Telecommunications
Station".  Other stations included:  an email board, with all message
postings and a world map showing the locations of the schools participating
in the simulation, series and parallel circuit stations, plant growth
stations, pH station, a weather station, a Space Shuttle videodisc station,
a resource book station, and a weightless exercise design station.
 
At the conclusion of the activities, the student "Mission Specialists"
served as tour guides to visiting classes, who also performed the
activities.  Our visiting bilingual class transmitted their messages in
Spanish.
 
This simulation, conducted in April 1994 at South Miami Middle School, was
inspired by Academy One's National Educational Stimulations Project Using
Telecommunications (NESPUT).
 
Details -
Purpose:
The purpose of the Space Flight Simulation is to have students review
several of the course science concepts in a very hands-on and integrated
manner.
 
Objectives:
1.  Application of the Scientific Method to obtain data.
2.  Review of series and parallel circuits, and how much light is produced
    by each.
3.  Metric measurement to measure lentil bean growth.
4.  Use of Swing Psychrometer to measure temperature and relative humidity.
5.  Use of a spreadsheet to enter data and calculate averages.
6.  Use of a sample lesson, and blank email template to create an
    experimental procedure or experimental data report.
7.  Use of a world map to locate cities, states, and countries of
    participating schools.
8.  Use of latitude and longitude data to report and interpret locations.
9.  Use of books and NASA publications on space flight and missions in
    which students will research topics of their own choosing.
10. Measurement of the pH of various common household items (soap, ammonia,
    vinegar, soda, and water in which lentil beans are growing).
11. An introduction to several purposes of telecommunications.
12. The application of science to a real-world simulated space mission.
 
Duration:  Two weeks
 
Materials:
Apple IIe computer
Macintosh computer, Modem, and Phone Line
Imagewriter Printer
Sling Psychrometer (wet and dry bulb thermometers) and instruction sheet
  for relative humidity conversion
  Bulletin board size World Map
School and public library books and NASA brochures on space at all reading
  levels
Batteries and holders, wires, wire cutters, light bulbs, various conducting
  and nonconducting materials, and a "hidden circuit box" (we used the STC
  Unit: Electrical Circuits available from Carolina Biological Supply)
pH paper
Common household liquids:  vinegar, ammonia, tap water, distilled water,
  sprite, samples of water in which lentil beans were growing
Lentil beans on cotton sitting at water level in test tubes in test tube
racks
Forceps
Metric rulers
TV set
Videodisc player
Space Shuttle Videodisc
Mission Logs (student activity packets)
(Available class materials can be substituted, depending on the desired
  objectives of the classroom teacher)
 
Procedures:
 
Available upon request:
 
Mission Specialist Log (Student Activity Packet)
 
Each of the 18 stations had a corresponding procedure page.  Please contact
me if you want the above procedures and the student packet.