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How long can people (and animals) survive in outer space?
Fates of Traits Unit | Lesson 5 of 5
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How long can people (and animals) survive in outer space?

Fates of Traits Unit | Lesson 5 of 5
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
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DISCUSS:

What kinds of things do you think make outer space dangerous?

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DISCUSS:

What dangers do you think there might be living inside the spacecraft?

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DISCUSS:

Which traits do you think changed while Scott Kelly was in space? Why do you think those traits changed?

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Anchor Connection In the past lesson, you saw that humans change when they travel into space. Discuss. In what ways do humans change in space?
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Scientists always want to know more about what ants do to be so successful. Scientists were even curious about how the behavior of ants might change in space!
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No matter where they are, ants are great at exploring. Scientists wanted to know if being in space changed the way that the ants explore. So the scientists took the ants to space, put them into a clear container, and studied them.
Watch closely! You’ll see the ants float around if they lose their grip. Click play when you’re ready to watch the ants explore.
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Step
01/03
Get your Amazing Ants worksheet.
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Step
02/03
What do you still want to know about ants? It might be something you want to learn by reading a book, or by conducting an experiment in outer space! Write your ideas in this box at the bottom of your worksheet.
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03/03
You are done with your Amazing Ants worksheet. Save it so you can review it at the end of the unit.
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Look at the "Wonder" column of your class See-Think-Wonder chart. Have any questions been answered by this lesson? This is the last time you’ll need your See-Think-Wonder chart for this unit.
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trait


1 of 7

something you can observe about a living thing, such as a person's eye color or their height
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environment


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all the living and nonliving things in a particular place
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acquired trait


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a trait that can change based on the environment
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force


4 of 7

a push or a pull

gravity


5 of 7

an invisible force that pulls any object down, toward the Earth
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measure


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to describe something using numbers that can be compared
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predict


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to guess what will happen based on things you know
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Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 3

Heredity, Survival, & Selection

Traits & Environmental Variation

3-LS3-2

8275 reviews

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students examine how physical traits can be influenced by the environment. In the activity, Astronaut-in-Training, students analyze how a NASA astronaut’s traits changed during his “year in space.” Then they measure some of their physical traits (arm strength, height, and balance) and predict how their own traits might change after living in space.
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Traits in Space worksheet 30 copies
Traits in Space Answer Key teacher-only resource 1 copy
Rulers
30 rulers
Post-Its (3")
30 post-its
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students working alone will need help with some steps.

Each pair of students will need floor space where they can do push-ups and walk 15 heel-to-toe steps in a straight line. They will also need wall space where they can do push-ups against the wall.

Exploration

16 mins

Hands-On Activity

35 mins

Grade 3

Heredity, Survival, & Selection

Traits & Environmental Variation

3-LS3-2

8275 reviews
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Selection Lesson 5: How long can people (and animals) survive in outer space?

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