Space Resources for Teachers: Biology, Including Suggestions for Classroom Activities and Laboratory Experiments
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DOCUMENT RICSUMS ED 028 941 SE 006 548 By-Lee, Tom E.; And Others Space Resources for Teachers: Biology, Including Suggestions for Classroom Activities and Laboratory Experiments. California Univ., Berkeley. Spons Agency-National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C. Pub Date Jan 69 Note-231p. Available from-Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (S2.75) EDRS Price MF -S1.00 HC-S11.65 Descriptors-*AerospaceTechnology,AudiovisualAids,Bibliographies,Biology,Instruction, Laboratory Experiments, Resource Materials, Resource Units, Science Activities, Science Units,Secondary School Science Identifiers-National Aeronautics and Space Administration This compilation of resource units concerns the latest developments in space biology. Some of the topics included are oxygen consumption, temperature, radiation. rhythms, weightlessness, acceleration and vibration stress, toxicity, and sensory and perceptual problems. Many of the topics are interdisciplinary and relate biology. physiology, physics, and chemistry. Discussions of each topic include introductory paragraphs of background information, laboratory and class activities, study and discussion topics, and a useful bibliography. The studies and experiments suggested are directed at more than one student achievementlevel. Appendixed aids to the teacher indude (1) source lists of aerospace literature and research reports, (2) an annotated listing of pertinent films, and (3) lists of additional audiovisual resources. (DS) wok U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSOK OR ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT.POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION POSITiON OR POLICY. MEE RESOURCES EN MEM BI'LOGT including suggestions Mr 011111111110111 ONION and laboratory experiments national aeronautics and space administration RESIMICIES FEMME 'MUG MINIM SINNISSIMIS Ur COMM WINN 81111 18110111117 11111111111111111$ 111411 A curriculum project prepared by the University of California, Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, California, Harvey E. White, Director. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION Washington, D.C., 20546 January, 1969 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. UovernmentPrinting Office Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price $2.75 PROJECT STAFF Editor Ferdinand S Ruth Lawrence Hall of Science University of California Berkeley, California Authors Tom E. Lee Biology Instructor Pleasant Hill High School Pleasant Hill, California (Mt. Diablo Unified School District) Kenneth V.Jackman Lawrence Hall of Science University of California Berkeley, California Robert J. Hubert Physiology Instructor Diablo Valley College Concord, California Illustrator Raoul Ibarguen Design Consultart Lawrence Hall of Science University of California Berkeley, California Staff Mrs. Susan Bennett Mrs. Pat Muellenhoff Mrs. Gail Tanguary Miss Christa Whitfield During the summer of 1967, an Institute in Space Biology for High School Students was conducted for purposes of tryout and evaluation of the syllabus. The Institute was taught by Mr. Lee and Mr. Mac I). Homan, Concord High School, Concord, California. Special acknowl- edgment is made to Mr. Lee and Mr. Homan for their assistance, fol- lowing the Institute, in reviewing and revising the syllabus. The NASA Technical Monitor was Aaron P. Seamster. Dr. Seamster was Deputy Director of the Educational Programs Division of NASA's Office of Public Affairs at the outset of this project, but currently holds the position of Assistant Provost of Memphis State University. taillike of content Preface Introduction How to Use This Book 8 Section 1 Life Support Nutrition 10 Gas Exchange and Waste Management 35 Oxygen Consumption 50 Section 2 Physiological Aspects Temperature Stress 58 Weightlessness 63 Acceleration and Vibration Stress 72 Radiation 80 Toxicity .92 Biotelemetry 102 Section 3 Psychological Aspects Sensory and Perceptual Problems 114 Spatial Disorientation .126 Problems of Isolation and Confinement 131 Circadian Rhythms 143 Section 4 Exobiology Extraterrestrial Biological Exploration 160 Decontamination 171 The Chemical Evolution of Life 179 APPENDIXES Appendix ASpace Biology Research Centers Visited by Staff 190 Appendix BFilm and Audio Tape Sources 192 Appendix CTeaching From Research Papers 209 Appendix DImportant Sources of Aerospace Literature 212 Appendix ECode for Use of Animals in High School Biology Courses, Formulated by the National 'Association of Biology Teachers 235 Appendix FBioutellite II 236 prregace INTRODUCTION The purpose of this publication is to bring the high school biology teacher, and thus the student, into focus with respect to scientific advances in space biology. Biological research in the field ofspace science progresses so rapidly that printed materialsoon is outdated. Much of the data contained in this publicationwas derived through personal interviews and examination of the actual research facili- ties in which the scientists carry on their basic studies. Other in- formation was derived from review of pertinent literature. It is hoped, however, that through study anduse of this syllabus that the teacher and student may be made aware ina very personal manner of some of the more recent developments inspace science, and attempt to remain abreast of further advances as theyoccur. Although this publication may stimulate some alert teacher to de- velop a new course, even a new curriculum, the project staffcon- ceived it as being a helpful, useful supplement to present biology courses. Many of the chapter topics listed in the table of contents are found in current biology textbooks. Among these are nutrition, gas exchange, oxygen consumption, temperature, radiation, rhythms and chemical evolution. The experiments outlined in "Sugges- tions to the Teacher for Development" sections at the end of each of the chapters in the syllabus will aid the instructor in bringing new concepts and discovery experiences to his students. Some of the topics found in the syllabus are not discussed or even hinted at in any "modern" textbook. These are new significant subjects, now a part of the story of man and his desire to penetrate the world of outer space. These are topics which shouldnow be opened to the teacher and student for study and analysis. Included are the following : weightlessness, acceleration and vibration stress, toxicity, biotelemetry, sensory and perceptual problems, spatial dis- orientation, exploration, and decontamination. Many of these topics, by their very nature, cross discipline corridors and tie together biology, physiology, physics, and chemistry. Thisis desirable and inevitable in the teaching of science today. 4/7 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK Each chapter introduces the teacher, and through him the student, to a major topic of significance relative to the space effort today. The studies and experiments suggested for development at the end of each chapter include material of interest to more than one stu- dent achievement level. There are simple experiments, moderately difficult types, and some expected to he attempted only by superior students. It is also recommended that the teacher attempt to acquaint himself with the large number of space-related studies in the life sciences that are being published. Sources for these may be noted in Appendix D. Teachers who wish to introduce their students to the research re- ports and to use these in their teaching may find the discussion in Appendix C helpful. Further aids to the teacher include bibliographic data at the end of each unit, and source lists of aerospace literature, cf. Appendix D. Also included is an annotated listing of pertinent films, most of which have been screened and evaluated, cf. Appendix B. Additional instructional films, filmstrips, slides, and film cartridge packages are being produced. 5Ectilon 0 LIFE SUPPORT The maintenance of life aboarda spacecraft is not a simple matter. Orbiting the earth in a one- or two-man capsule for periods ofa few hours to two weeks no longer raises seemingly insurmountable problems. Planning longer trips of one month tomore than a year in duration generates multitudes of technicalities and logisdPs prob- lems involving research into all phases of human physiology kind psychology. This necessary research is being conducted in labora- tories throughout the United States and abroad. In the following chapters we introducesome of the many problems of life support, some insight into them and recommended study and laboratory experience which, hopefully, will result insome under- standing of the scope and magnitude of the research currently in progress. NUTRITION Introduction Packing a "picnic lunch" for a space traveler will bea very demand- ing and perplexing task. The choice of ingredients for sucha lunch will be determined by the energy needs of the traveler. Such needs, in turn, are related toa number of things, including the length of the journey, and the kind of environment in which the traveler will find himself at lunch time. It is likely, also, that the "space piciaic" selections must be made with thought in mindas to what fwds may actually be !Acceptable to the consumer when picnic time finally arrives. On a very long journey some sort of "grow-it kourself kit" will have to be included for use after the picnic Kinch has been consumed. Thus, while there may be no ants for thespace traveler to cope with at picnic time, he will find himself laced wilta multi- tude of