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Table of Contents
My Body in Space – Prebreathing
Educator Section
- » Learning objectives
- » Prerequisite knowledge
- » Teaching strategies
- » Instructional approach
- » Problem-based scenario
- » Conduct of session
- » References
The objectives of the Prebreathing learning resource are in line with the expectations set forth in the Pan-Canadian Protocol Common Framework of Science Learning Outcomes for Grade 8. They are integrated into the proposed activities.
Seventh-grade-level knowledge of science and technology.
All activities in the Prebreathing learning resource are indicative. The time required to perform the activities and prepare the student activity sheets will generally extend over more than one class session. It is up to each educator's discretion to choose which activities they will do with their students based on what is most relevant to their learning process and the development of their abilities and skills.
While respecting the direction of the resource, educators are free to change the sequence and/or ignore any parts they deem non-essential.
Prior to engaging in the learning resource, educators should review the proposed activities, print the necessary number of activity sheets, and arrange the classroom configuration. Moreover, they should prepare the necessary materials, and read the contextual information provided for them.
Educators must ensure compliance with the rules of the school and the school board prior to performing any experiments requiring physical actions not supervised by a physical education or health specialist.
Educator preparation
Before using the Prebreathing learning resource in class, educators should prepare by:
- Reading the suggested documentation in whole or in part
- Reviewing the student multimedia resource
- Planning the rollout of the activities
- Preparing the required materials
Planning the rollout
Although suggestions are provided, it is left to each educator's discretion to organize their time as they see fit. The rollout will depend on each educator's teaching style, knowledge of their students and multiple constraints such as schedules, premises, equipment, etc.
Activities preceding or embedded into the student multimedia resource can be performed either prior to or after completing the resource, in case the educator has room or equipment availability constraints.
Materials required
This CD-ROM based learning resource should be viewed in a classroom setting. It requires access to a computer and a screen in order to project the resource to the whole class. Internet access is recommended for preparing the activities but is not necessary for the classroom presentation. The resource can be viewed on older computers.
At various intervals in the multimedia presentation, students will perform hands-on activities to reinforce the science concepts learned. These activities are generally brief and require only readily available materials.
The materials required for each activity are shown under the heading Description of activities.
The activities in the Prebreathing learning resource are based on an instructional approach that puts the student at the heart of his or her own learning and development. The student works as part of a research team, where he or she is responsible for presenting the content in both oral and written formats.
The educator builds on the questions asked by students to initiate problem-solving scenarios. The educator is open to exploring his or her environment, is neither afraid to make mistakes or is obliged to know or reveal solutions to the problem-solving scenarios. The educator stimulates students' scientific curiosity and provides research leads, documentation and resources. He or she encourages student independence and guides their research.
The Prebreathing learning resource was developed by the Canadian Space Agency in preparation for mission STS-118, in which Canadian astronaut, Dr. Dafydd (Dave) Williams will be participating.
Dr. Williams has long been interested in how the human body behaves in space. In April 1998, he took part in mission STS-90, called Neurolab, during which numerous life science experiments were performed. He also was the crew commander for the Neemo 9 undersea mission in April 2006 which was aimed at assessing ways of delivering medical care remotely. The training for mission STS-118 is carried out in Houston, Texas.
- » Complete biography of Dr. Dave Williams
- » A list of space missions in which Canadians have participated
- » Science of Spacesuits learning resource
Part 1 - Student preparation
During the preparation phase students will learn to distinguish between reality and science fiction, and gain accurate science knowledge with relation to the space context.
Student preparation may include either of the following:
- Individual or team research work, on various themes to be performed either in or out of class.
Various themes / questions:
- Canadian astronauts: Who are they? Are there any female astronauts? What training do they undergo? Where do they undergo this training?
- Space: What are the characteristics of the space environment? Is there air in space? Is it hot or cold? How is space similar to or different from Earth? Do objects have the same mass on Earth as in space? Why do astronauts seem to "float" in space? What causes that?
- What is gravity? Weightlessness? Pressure?
- How are astronauts dressed for their spacewalks? Why?
- The International Space Station (ISS) - What is it? Where is it? How do they get there?
- Whole class discussion on various themes. The educator is encouraged to keep a record of the discussions. The educator is not required to have all the answers. The student multimedia resource will answer some of the students' questions and any that remain can be researched later.
Part 2 - Student Multimedia Resource
The student multimedia resource features Canadian astronaut Dr. Dave Williams, and focuses on the conditions that apply to pre-breathing protocols. It consists of the following parts:
- Introduction - This section provides a discussion of the conditions of life on Earth, definition, role and purpose of pre-breathing, and the principles of decompression.
- Science concepts - This section focuses on the composition of air, the respiratory and circulatory systems, the scientific principles governing gas solubility, Boyle's Law, Henry's Law, and the phenomenon of osmosis.
- Preparation for a mission - The physical, technical and psychological preparation that astronauts must undergo in preparation for a mission are covered in this section.
- Preparation for a spacewalk (also known as an EVA, Extra Vehicular Activity ) - In this section, students will learn the context for pre-breathing and its associated protocols, be provided with a description of each of the stages, including what happens in an astronaut's body before a spacewalk.
- Future of EVA - This section will consider the state of research on improving the pre-breathing protocol.
The student multimedia resource may be covered over several sessions. It can be paused at any time from the interactive menu. However, it is recommended that each session should finish at the end of a section.
Part 3 - Classroom-based experiments
All experiments proposed as part of the student multimedia resource are optional. They do, however, inject some variety into the teaching strategy and more actively involve students in their learning. These pauses also provide an opportunity to refine certain concepts.
The experiments will be completed following the principles of the scientific method, which comprises five (5) stages, with regard to the proposed experiments.
Each experiment contains a corresponding student activity sheet, which may be printed and distributed to students if the educator so decides.
- » Scientific method - Description
- » Experiment 1 Sheet - Gas emission
- » Experiment 2 Sheet - Osmosis
Part 4 - Student research project
In the multimedia resource, students learned about the exchange through the pulmonary alveoli during the pre-breathing process. In this section, students will perform a supplemental activity to build on their acquired knowledge.
Students, either individually or in teams, complete further research to show the close links between the respiratory system and the circulatory system in different parts of the body such as the brain, liver, kidneys, intestines, muscles, etc.
The research could be in the form of a written paper, an oral presentation with illustrations, or any other form the educator may deem appropriate. Sharing with class peers enables the student to develop collaboration skills.
It is up to the educator to determine the scope of the work, the correction criteria and the evaluation grid on the basis of his or her circumstances.
Educators are invited to consult the following references prior to engaging their students in the Prebreathing learning resource. Students can refer to them as they complete their research activities. Please note that the following resources are accessible only through an Internet connection.
- » Microgravity
- » Mission STS 90 (educators) (PDF document)
- » Mission STS 90 (students) 1 (PDF document)
- » Mission STS 90 (students) 2
- » Space travel and the effects of weightlessness on the human body
(PDF document)
