Problem Solvers

Suits you

Suits you

Get crafty and design your own space suits!

Activity overview

15 mins
Ages 9 – 11

Science topics:

Materials , Space

You will need:

Pencils and paper. Examples of different plastics, fabrics or clothes

Sometimes you have to solve a problem on the spot. Explain that today the class will need to make space suits using just the materials provided. 

Run the activity

1. Explain that working as a team, they will have 20 minutes to look at the materials and create their space suits. Encourage them to think about the things a space suit might have to go through or be used for and the materials that would be best to survive the conditions.

2. After 20 minutes, get them to swap creations with another group. Continue working, but this time on the unfamiliar creation. How can they improve it?

3. After 10 more minutes, survey the final creations. What have they learned from swapping projects? 

Background science

A spacesuit is more than just clothes that astronauts wear in space. Think of it like a really small spacecraft! It protects the astronaut from the dangers of being outside in space as it is very different from being on Earth. They need to stop the astronaut from getting too hot or cold. The suits also need to give them oxygen to breathe and water to drink. They need to protect them from space dust that can travel faster than a bullet! They have gold-lined visors to protect them from bright sunlight and play a critical role in any space mission.

Take it further

Stuck for ideas? Here is lots more information from NASA, which tells you about different parts of a spacesuit and this Science Oxford resource suggests how you can guide a class through the investigation. Use this link to the Principia Space Diary website for other free downloadable resources. Continue the learning with this space-themed Odd One Out

 

Image credit: NikiNomad via Shutterstock SL