The International Space Station

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Learn about the International Space Station.
  
• Consider that the International Space Station is a model for international collaboration.

Resources:

Materials

For each student team:

• A table or long desktop
• International Space Station Fact Sheet, in pieces (see attached PDF)
• Tape
• (Optional) Notebook paper, pen or pencil, scissors

For the whole group:

• Smartboard or computer with internet access for presenting videos

Resources:

 International Space Station Fact Sheet

Preparation

• Read and familiarize yourself with the activity.
• Download the ISS Fact Sheet. For each student team, print a copy of the fact sheet and cut the sections into pieces. Print a copy to keep for yourself as a key.
• Review the websites linked below for background information. Prepare to share the videos at the ISS Kid Zone ("What is ISS?" and "Who's Involved") with students.

Resources:

ISS Kid Zone

International Cooperation

International Space Station Overview

Activity Steps

1. Ask students to share what they know about the International Space Station (ISS). Tell them that the ISS is the topic for today's activity.
2. Play these NASA videos for students from the ISS Kid Zone site: "What Is ISS?" and "Who's Involved?"
3. Divide students into team. Assign each team to a table.
4. Tell teams that you will soon be providing them with a fact sheet about the ISS. Then show a set of paper pieces, and explain that each team's task is to reassemble the facts. Explain that every fact starts with a shaded paper slip and concludes with an unshaded slip.
5. Have team members work together to read and identify the matching phrases. When they are sure they have found a match, have them tape the 2 halves together.
6. Circulate among the students, and offer hints and suggestions as needed.
7. When students are ready, reconvene the whole group. Using your copy of the fact sheet, read the first phrase for each fact, and invite volunteers to suggest the second phrase.
8. (Optional) Invite teams to prepare fact sheet puzzles of their own. Have teams review the ISS Kid Zone website for background information. They write 1-sentence facts about the ISS, separating the sentences into left and right halves, and then cutting the halves apart. Teams may exchange their puzzles and try to solve.
9. Wrap up the activity with a discussion:
   
   • Why do you think the International Space Station is important, and not merely for the scientific knowledge it provides?(Possible answer: The ISS shows that nations can cooperate to achieve lofty goals, and it inspires people all over the world.)
   • Would you like to visit a space station? If so, what would you do there?

Resources: