How to Make a Space Module Science Project
If you are doing a collaborative group or class science project and are looking for something unusual, consider creating a space module simulation. The purpose of this project would be to test fellow students' reaction to living and working together in a confined space. You can test things such as sleep patterns, food consumption, and ability to work cooperatively on complex tasks. You also need a control so can compare the subjects' normal performance with what they do inside the space module.
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Instructions
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Choose the people who will be confined to the module and the period of time you want them to stay in. Since this is school project, a weekend will probably have to do, although if you can get permission, a longer stay would be better.
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Decide on the particular tasks you will want your "astronauts" to perform. The best approach is to supply complex puzzles or computer projects. You also might have them do math calculations. They should have periods of physical exercise, such as situps and pushups. They also will have to assign and do maintenance tasks, such as cleanup.
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Test the subjects' performance at the tasks you selected under normal conditions. Keep clear and quantifiable records for easy comparison. Record their normal food consumption and sleep patterns.
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Find a structure you can use as a space module. One option is a small camper with a built-in toilet, sink and shower. If you use a camper, it must be hooked up to power and water. You could use a small apartment, but it would not have the same claustrophobic feel, and would be harder to monitor.
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Place in your makeshift space module all the things the astronauts need for their confinement. Simulate the food eaten in space with military MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). Your astronauts will also need clothes (jumpsuits), toiletries and garbage bags. Place computers and any other equipment they will be using in the tests in the module.
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Connect the computers in the camper to the Internet. Set up round-the-clock monitoring by the participants outside the camper. The students at home will serve as mission control, assigning tasks and recording results. They will monitor via webcams connected to the computers.
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Collate the results of the experiment when it is completed. You can use these numbers and the control numbers you got earlier to determine the degree to which the isolated environment affects task performance. You also can look at the effect on appetite or sleep.These results can be present as a report or graphically using charts and bar graphs.
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References
- Photo Credit space station image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
