The invasion has taken place and it is time that we need to find a new home. To insure your survival past earth’s occupation you must design a shelter that can be built on another planet. Students will research the characteristics of a planet of their choice. They will design a shelter that will allow them to survive on a new planet, and explain it in words.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY [1 = Least Difficult : 5 = Most Difficult]

3- Average

TIME REQUIRED

100 minutes (2 or 3 class periods)

COST

None

1.1 Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property (i.e. weight, strength, hardness, and flexibility).
2.1 Identify a problem that reflects the need for shelter, storage or convenience.
2.2 Describe different ways in which a problem can be represented (e.g. sketches, diagrams, graphic organizers, and lists).
2.3 Identify relevant design features (e.g. size, shape, weight) for building a prototype of a solution to a given problem.

Research skills, planets, application of research results, design techniques, presentation skills.

This lesson should coincide with a unit on the solar system.

RESOURCES:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/pao/factsheets/factsheets/9508001.html -Living conditions in space.
http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/Rockets/Living.asp - about astronauts living in space on the shuttle
http://science.nasa.gov/LivingInSpace.htm -living in space
http://www.pbs.org/spacestation/station/living.htm -more on living in space, requirements, etc.
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/cosmicquest/spacestation/teacher.html - activity to build a space station
http://www.biozone.co.uk/SPACE_BIOLOGY.html - look at “Living in Space” section and links with it
http://www.biospheres.com/ - Biospheres and cool stuff about them
http://www.space.edu/projects/book/chapter31.html -The human body in outer space

library books
internet access (optional)
Microsoft Powerpoint (optional)
papers
pens
markers

Assign or allow students to choose planets to research.

DIRECTIONS:

Earth has just been invaded by aliens, and humans must relocate to another planet. To insure your survival past earths occupation you must design a shelter that can be built on another planet. You will also have to consider how to get to your choice planet from earth, and five items that you will take and why you choose them.

1. Pick a planet that you would like to move to after earth is invaded. Research this planet and find out information about the new environment in which you will live. Some things to think about for survival are climate, atmosphere composition, surface composition, day length, distance from the sun, force of gravity etc. (see Space Shelter Research Guide)
2. Design an ideal shelter that would allow you to survive on the new planet. Explain the characteristics of your house including materials used and special design features. (You may need to design new materials to survive the harsh enviroments of other planets.)
3. Present your design to the class (this could be done in PowerPoint).
The basis of the presentation should be the design and the feasibility of human survival (this will decrease the redundancy of presentations if several students pick the same planet). Use the Space Shelter Research Guide for other information that can be covered.
4. A good homework extension. Once you have designed your shelter consider what five items you would take with you and why. Have the student write a journal entry.

Why did you choose that planet?
What features of your design will help you to survive on your planet?
Why do people not live on that planet now?
Where is a good place to find information about planets?

none

WORKSHEETS:

See Associated Download.

SAMPLE RUBRIC:

See Associated Download.