Brief Description

This International Space Station Real Time Data website provides students with answers to their questions concerning the Columbia tragedy.

Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

• 3T-E2 Use a variety of technology tools for data collection and analysis
• 6T-E1 Determine when technology is useful and select and use the appropriate tools in technology resources to solve problems

• 6SC-E10 Explain how technology has impacted both Earth and space science

Academic

After discussion of the Colombia tragedy the students will pose a problem regarding the effect of the Columbia tragedy, and research online the solution to the questions posed on the website.

Technological

After locating the correct NASA website for The International Space Station, the students will collect real time data to solve their problem: Now that the Space Shuttles are grounded, how long can the crew of the international space station live in space?

Pre-Requisite Technology Skills

The following skills are necessary to successfully complete this lesson:

• The students will be able to turn on the computer, and log in.
• The students will be able to find and click on Netscape Communicator so they can access the Internet.
• The students will be able to type in the URL for NASA’s website and successfully navigate the website.

The following materials are necessary:

• Computer
• URL addresses for NASA
• Organizational worksheet

Gifted Students:  Explore additional site: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/ This can be reached with the following steps:

• Locate Outreach.
• Click once and a highlighted red information bar will appear.
• Seek the additional information under How to Become an Astronaut. (It is located on the extreme right.)
• Then have the gifted students read for the following information:

Under Selection: Training for the Future – In the third paragraph, list the four bachelor degree subjects NASA requires.
Read about the three Space Shuttle Crew Positions and list them.

The table will serve as a graphic organizer for the entire class.

1. URL addresses you will be using.

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/
• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/living/index.html/

• How will we get the astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station back to Earth if the USA grounds all of the shuttles?
• What do the astronauts eat in space?
• How do the astronauts take care of hygiene needs in space?

4. Say: Real-time data is the computer’s ability to track data over time. We can follow the days the astronauts are in space with a NASA site that tracks real-time data.

• Turn on your computer and locate the Netscape Communicator. Type in the URL: http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/
• Place the students in groups of two to research and complete the table (graphic organizer).
• Have the students follow the directions on the computer graphic organizer as they locate the information needed to answer their questions.

The following criteria will be used to grade the worksheets.