Table of Contents

Modules

The Why An Orbiting Laboratory? guide contains three teaching modules. It is recommended that teachers progress through the modules in the following order.

• Understanding Gravity:

  An introduction to the topic of gravitational force for grade 5 students and a necessary review for grades 6 and 7 students, before examining living conditions and research implications of microgravity environments.

• Life in Orbit:

  Life in an orbiting space craft is like nothing we know on Earth. In a microgravity environment everything floats. That means that all three dimensions of the craft space are available for living and working.

  In orbit you have to think differently about the way you do things and the way you use even familiar objects. A continuation of the study of gravitational force for grade 5 students and meeting basic needs in space for grade 6 students, this module may be omitted by grade 7 teachers if desired.

• Research in Orbit:

  An introduction to scientific and technological achievements in space research carried out by Canadians for grades 5, 6 and 7 students.