Explore and Discover

Your Mission: Carry weighted objects from the Exploration Area back to your Base Station to improve aerobic and anaerobic fitness.

To explore the Moon and Mars, astronauts must complete the tasks of walking to collection sites, taking samples, carrying science experiments, and safely lifting objects they discover to return to base station. In order to complete this work, astronauts must physically prepare by regularly practicing activities such as walking, running, swimming, and lifting weights.

Skills

Strength, Endurance, Teamwork, Coordination

Learning Objectives

Safely carry weighted objects from the Exploration Area back to your Base Station to improve aerobic and anaerobic fitness
Record observations about improvements in aerobic and anaerobic fitness during this physical experience in their Mission Journal

Equipment

12 stress balls (a small object or ball students can squeeze in their palm)
30 balls in five different weights and sizes, such as:
- six tennis balls
- six softballs
- six soccer balls
- six six basketballs
- six large yoga balls
3 hula hoops
A watch, 6 stopwatches, or clock with a second hand to take heart rate.
Optional equipment:
- heart rate monitor
- pedometer
- markers to write space object names on balls
- six basketballs
- masking tape to write space object names on balls
For students: Mission Journal and pencil

Time

30-45 minutes per class

Resource available in:

English, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish

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