Microgravity

A Teacher's Guide With Activities in Science, Mathematics, and Technology

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications Microgravity Research Division

Office of Human Resources and Education Education Division

This publication is in the Public Domain and is not protected by copyright. Permission is not required for duplication.

EG-1997-08-110-HQ -,.._j Acknowledgements This publication was developed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with the assistance of the many educators of the Aerospace Education Services Program, Oklahoma State University.

Writers:

Melissa J. B. Rogers, MS TAL-CUT Company NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH

Gregory L. Vogt, Ed.D. Teaching From Space Program NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX

Michael J. Wargo, Sc.D. Microgravity Research Division NASA Headquarters Washington, DC Activity Contributors

Microgravity In The Classroom Stephen J. VanHook Accelerometers Center for Nonlinear Dynamics Around The World Department of Physics Inertial Balance University of Texas at Austin Candle Drop Crystallization Model Candle Flames Gregory L. Vogt, Ed.D. Howard D. Ross, Ph.D. Teaching From Space Program Chief NASA Johnson Space Center Microgravity Combustion Branch NASA Lewis Research Center Gravity-Driven Fluid Flow Charles E. Bugg, Ph.D. Crystal Growth and Buoyancy-Driven Professor Emeritus Convection Currents University of Alabama, Birmingham Roger L. Kroes, Ph.D. and Researcher Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Microgravity Science Division Biocrypt Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Craig D. Smith, Ph.D. Donald A. Reiss, Ph.D. Manager Researcher X-Ray Crystallography Laboratory Microgravity Science Division Center for Macromolecular NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Crystallography University of Alabama at Birmingham Rapid Crystallization Microscopic Observation of Crystals Surface Tension-Driven Flows David Mathiesen, Ph.D. Gregory L. Vogt, Ed.D. Assistant Professor Teaching From Space Program Case Western Reserve University NASA Johnson Space Center and Alternate Payload Specialist R. Glynn Holt, Ph.D. USML-2 Mission Research Assistant Professor Boston University Zeolite Crystal Growth Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering Albert Sacco, Jr. Department Head Department of Chemical Engineering Temperature Effects on Surface Worchester Polytechnical Institute Tension and Michael FoSchatz Payload Specialist School of Physics USML-2 Mission Georgia Institute of Technology How To Use This Guide

As opportunities for extended space flight Following the background information are classroom activities that enable students to have become available, microgravity research in physical and biological sci- experiment with the forces and processes ences has grown in importance. Using the microgravity scientists are investigating today. The activities employ simple and Space Shuttle and soon the International Space Station, scientists are able to add inexpensive materials and apparatus that are widely available in schools. The activi- long term control of gravity's effects to the short list of variables they are to manipu- ties emphasize hands-on involvement, pre- diction, data collection and interpretation, late in their experiments. Although most teamwork, and problem solving. Activity people are aware of the floating effects of astronauts and things in orbiting space- features include objectives, materials and tools lists, management suggestions, craft, few understand what causes micro- assessment ideas, extensions, instructions gravity much less how it can be utilized for and illustrations, student work sheets, and research. student readers. Because many of the activities and demonstrations apply to more The purpose of this curriculum supplement than one subject area, a matrix chart guide is to define and explain microgravity relates activities to national standards in and show how microgravity can help