Suit Up for Launch with Shay!
Target Grades: 3rd - 5th
Duration: 4 weeks (2 sessions per week, 1 hour each)
Learning Objectives:
Students will:
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Explore the roles and responsibilities of astronauts.
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Understand the purpose and components of a launch and entry suit.
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Develop curiosity and skills through hands-on activities and creative expression.
4. Learn the importance of teamwork and preparation in STEM fields.
Week 1: Introduction to Astronauts and Space Exploration
Session 1: What Do Astronauts Do?
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Read: Pages 1-5
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Discussion:
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What do astronauts do in space?
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Why is preparation important for astronauts?
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Activity:
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Create a chart of "Jobs in Space" (e.g., scientist, pilot, engineer).
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Students brainstorm what they’d like to do in space and draw a picture of themselves as astronauts.
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Session 2: Why Do Astronauts Wear Suits?
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Read: Pages 6-9
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Discussion:
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Why do astronauts need special suits?
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How fast do rockets travel?
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Activity:
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Create a timeline of a space mission from preparation to launch (students can use visuals and captions)
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Week 2: Exploring the Launch and Entry Suit
Session 3: Layers of the Suit
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Read: Pages 10-13
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Discussion:
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What are the layers of the astronaut suit, and why are they important?
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Why is the suit orange?
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Activity:
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Build a suit diagram: Provide printed outlines of an astronaut suit. Students label the layers and describe their functions.
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Session 4: Suit Up Like an Astronaut
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Read: Pages 14-17
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Discussion:
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What special clothing do astronauts wear under their suits?
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Why do astronauts need diapers?
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Activity:
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Mock astronaut dressing: Bring costume pieces (e.g., helmets, gloves, boots, "diapers") and let students role-play dressing up while narrating each step
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Week 3: Preparing for Space Travel
Session 5: Getting Ready for Launch
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Read: Pages 18-20
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Discussion:
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Why is teamwork important for astronauts and suit technicians?
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How do astronauts communicate during a mission?
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Activity:
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Communication game: Pair students and have them give each other instructions to perform a task (e.g., drawing a rocket).
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Session 6: Launch Day
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Discussion:
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Review the steps to suit up and board the rocket.
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Talk about emotions astronauts might feel on launch day.
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Activity:
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Create a "Countdown to Launch" poster: Each student contributes a step or fact about launch preparation.
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Week 4: Creative and Collaborative Space Adventures
Session 7: Design Your Own Space Suit
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Activity:
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Students design a custom space suit for a mission (add colors, patterns, and gadgets).
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Present their designs and explain how the suit would work in space.
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Session 8: Launch Simulation and Celebration
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Activity:
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Simulate a rocket launch: Divide students into teams (astronauts, mission control, and suit techs).
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Practice suiting up, strapping into the "rocket," and counting down to launch.
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Host a celebration: Students share what they learned and display their projects.
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Curriculum: Suit Up for Launch with Shay!
Grade Levels: 3-5
Duration: 4 Weeks (Adjustable)
Objectives:
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Understand the purpose and components of an astronaut's launch and entry suit.
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Explore the life and achievements of Sharon Caples McDougle.
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Develop critical thinking and design skills by creating a new space suit.
Week 1: Introduction to Space and Astronauts
Lesson 1: What Do Astronauts Do?
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Reading: Pages 1-5 of Suit Up for Launch with Shay!
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Activity:
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Students list all the professions Shay considered before choosing to be an astronaut.
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Discuss why astronauts need special training and gear
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Quiz:
Week 2: The Launch and Entry Suit
Lesson 2: Layers of the Suit
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Reading: Pages 6-14 of Suit Up for Launch with Shay!
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Activity:
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Students draw and label the three main layers of an astronaut's suit.
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Discuss the importance of the orange color.
Quiz 2: Fill in the Blank
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The inner layer of the suit is called the __________.
The orange outer cover helps astronauts be __________ in emergencies
Lesson 3: Special Gear
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Reading: Pages 15-21 of Suit Up for Launch with Shay!
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Activity:
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Students create a checklist of all items astronauts must wear before launch.
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Role-play: Pair students as astronauts and “suit techs” to practice suiting up using costumes or illustrations.
Quiz 3: True/False
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Astronauts put on their gloves first. (False)
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Special underwear helps keep astronauts cool. (True)
Week 3: Sharon Caples McDougle – A Role Model
Lesson 4: Who is Sharon Caples McDougle?
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Reading: Biography of Sharon Caples McDougle (provided as a PDF or video).
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Activity:
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Timeline activity: Students create a timeline of Sharon McDougle’s career milestones.
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Discuss Sharon’s role as a suit technician and her impact on space exploration.
Quiz 4: Short Answer
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What is Sharon McDougle’s connection to space exploration?
(Answer: She was a suit technician and prepared astronauts for space missions.)
Name one obstacle Sharon McDougle overcame in her career.
Week 4: Final Project – Designing a Space Suit
Lesson 5: Designing for the Future
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Activity:
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Students design their own space suit using art supplies or digital tools (e.g., Canva, Google Drawings).
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Include explanations of the materials, features, and why their design is unique.
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Presentation:
Students present their designs to the class, explaining their choices.
Rubric for Project:
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Creativity (30 points)
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Functionality (30 points)
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Presentation and Explanation (20 points)
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Effort (20 points)
Assessment & Completion
Final Quiz:
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Combination of all topics:
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What color is the launch and entry suit? (Answer: Orange)
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What layer helps keep astronauts cool? (Answer: Special underwear)
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Who is Sharon McDougle, and why is she important?
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(Answer: Suit technician who contributed to space exploration.)
Supplemental Videos:
Printable Activities:
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Suit coloring pages
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Word search with astronaut-related terms