Readers can find drawings and explanations of the tools and suits that astronauts have worn during different missions when they are outside the spaceship. This information is followed by a challenge that asks students to design a space suit prototype for a Mission to Mars. Classroom activities, covering topics such as tensile strength, gravity changes, and abrasion, allow the students to investigate the science concepts that would have an impact on their designs. Teachers will find background information, materials and procedures lists, and suggestions for extensions. Two related investigations allow the students to explore the relationship between speed and penetration that causes small objects to do severe damage in outer space.
Students use a plastic milk shake straw and potato to simulate the particle in space the astronaut.
They alter the straw speed as they try to drive it into the potato's body. The activity includes the mathematical formula that shows the relationship between kinetic energy, mass, and velocity. A drawing illustrates the way to hold the potato and straw to avoid injury, and safety precautions suggest that gloves could provide additional protection. The follow up activity asks the students to design a protective covering that would prevent the straw from penetrating the potato at any speed. As an extension, students compare protective technologies such as bullet proof vests, armor, and windshields.