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Lesson Plan

Balloon Astronaut

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Balloon Astronaut lesson plan also includes:

Design protection from high-speed particles. The STEM lesson plan highlights why astronauts need protection from space debris. Pupils use the design process to design, build, and test a spacesuit that will protect a balloon from a falling nail. At the end of the activity, participants present their designs and reflect on their strategies and the science behind them.

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CCSS: Designed NGSS: Designed
Concepts
design, elements of design, principles of design, product design, space exploration, outer space, space travel, space, articles of clothing, newton's laws of motion, energy, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, technology resources
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Instructional Ideas
  • Demonstrate how a small object can cause damage by quickly puncturing a potato with a straw
  • Develop a rubric with the class to rate the protection
Classroom Considerations
  • Wear safety goggles while testing
Pros
  • Includes possible resources to hook the class
  • Contains extensions to bring in more advanced science concepts
Cons
  • None