Expedition Space Lab Mission:
Insects in Space
1 activity
ACTIVITY 1
SPACE STATION EXPLORERS PARTNER PROGRAM:
ORION’S QUEST
- Learn about the life cycle of an insect and how it is affected by microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment..
- Students replicate experiments performed in space and compare their results, allowing them to participate in real science to examine the effects of microgravity.
LESSON
Butterflies in Space from Orion’s Quest
On Earth, many insects go through metamorphosis. But what happens to these organisms in a microgravity environment? Explore the life cycle of an earthbound butterfly and compare the results with those of their space-faring counterparts.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Butterfly Metamorphosis
ScienceCasts: Fruit Flies on the International Space Station
Career Connection
Entomologist
Speaker’s Bureau
TAKE THIS MISSION TO ANOTHER LEVEL!
DreamUp Germs in Space Kit
Purchase a Germs in Space DreamKit.
Classroom experiments that use swabs and petri dishes to compare germs in the classroom vs. on the ISSInternational Space Station.
Expedition Space Lab is an online tool from the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory that provides educators with easy access to ISS-related lessons, activities, and other resources to integrate into their curriculum.
