When astronauts get hungry in outer space, they can't just call and have a pizza delivered. In order to gain an appreciation for the challenges associated with space travel, young learners are given the task of selecting, testing, and packaging food items that can be sent up with the next shuttle.

Concepts

outer space, space exploration, space travel, astronauts, astronaut food, food storage, food preservation, space flight

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Include this lesson in an astronomy unit on space exploration or a health series on food preparation and preservation
• When introducing the lesson use a sample brown bag lunch to begin a discussion about foods that should and should not be taken into outer space
• Use visual displays for each step of the scientific method to guide the class through the learning activity

Classroom Considerations

• To avoid purchasing a bunch of food items for this lesson, consider asking for donations from parents

Pros

• English and Spanish versions of the lesson plan, worksheet, informational text, and video are available
• Offers suggestions for making cross-curricular connections with math and language arts
• Learning activity explicitly address each step in the scientific method
• A rubric is included for evaluating student work

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.3.1.a SL.3.2 SL.4.1.a SL.4.2 SL.5.1.a SL.5.2 SL.6.1.a SL.6.2