Take part in interesting science experiments and activities at home just like astronauts do on the space station.
We know many students are learning at home right now, and hands-on activities are especially important to keep students engaged and learning. Our network of ISS partners has pulled together dozens of no-cost activities for the whole family. After all, we are all in this together.
Check out these out-of-this-world activities from our partners and NASA—and keep encouraging students to create, explore, and be passionate about science!
Embark on an awe-inspiring trip around our world through the eyes of astronauts on the ISS. This educator resource guide and supplemental activities are inspired by the IMAX film "A Beautiful Planet" (now available on Hulu!). These materials will enhance students' understanding of the Earth, the importance of the ISS, and the work that’s being done to conserve our planet and its resources.
Help select the plant that will head to the International Space Station in the fall for the ExoLab-8 research mission. Students can do this at home, reviewing and advocating for their choice from a selection of legumes. Teachers can participate in Facebook and YouTube Live events (the schedule is posted on the ExoLab Biological Challenge webpage).
The Genes in Space program holds a free annual competition for students in grades 7 through 12 to propose pioneering DNA experiments that use the unique environment of the ISS. The winning proposals are developed into flight projects that are launched to the space station. The Genes in Space competition is free to enter and does not require special equipment. The submission deadline for the 2020 competition is April 25, 2020.
Although your students can't be at school right now, you can still send them out of this world—on a virtual mission to the ISS! Check out these free Earth and space science lessons from @VHSLearning! Students become "cadets" and view Earth from space using the same tools currently used by astronauts on the ISS.
Do authentic space-based research through live or virtual “missions.” Students analyze photo and/or video data downlinked directly from the International Space Station and submit their findings to scientists, making real contributions to world-class research onboard the ISS! Choose from missions that focus on butterflies, plants, microbes, spiders, stem cells, and more.
Enjoy watching and reading along with American, British, French, and Japanese astronauts who read children's books from onboard the International Space Station. Rosie Revere Engineer is just one example of more than 20 books, all available to watch online.
Watch videos of crew members on the International Space Station investigate the behavior of toys in space and compare it with the behavior of toys on Earth. Activities, brief descriptions of what happened during the ISS demonstration, and related STEM links are available in an accompanying resource guide.
