Space Technology - Space Spinoffs

TRACE SPACE BACK TO YOU

Have you ever wondered how space exploration and research impact your daily life?  

This question is from the NASA Home and City website.  This is a fun way for students to investigate space technology (space spinoffs).  

I start with this video of former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine explaining how space has transformed how you live your life.

After the video, students can go to the NASA Home and City website where they can click to learn more about how technology created to explore space is helping make life better back on Earth. 

For example, click home -> bathroom -> sink to find that polished brass finishes on fighter jets, silicon chips and plumbing fixtures all share one thing in common: NASA surface-coating technologies.

I have students go through the website and fill in the chart below with their favorite spinoff, how it was used in space and how we use it on Earth.

Afterwards we discuss which spinoff they think is the most important/useful etc.  After the discussion I ask students to review the spinoffs we saw and discuss whether or not we should continue space exploration.

To differentiate: (or if you don't have student computers) use the  NASA 360 vodcast and fill in the chart together.  

To extend: have students read recent news stories such as: NASA Spinoffs Help Fight Coronavirus, Clean Pollution, Grow Food, More 

I like to remind students that they "paid" for this NASA products with their (parents) taxes.  This means they can apply to use the technology and make money from it!  That always gets them thinking....