Name_____________________________________
Grade 8 Science Extension Menu
Directions: Choose a learning activity from one square to complete. Circle the
number of the learning activity you choose. If you choose the square, “Write your idea
here,” please see the teacher with your idea first and obtain approval BEFORE beginning work on your
activity. Turn in this paper with your work.
1. Create a non-fiction children’s
book about living on the planet Mars.
Include information about the
systems the human body would need
to survive. Your book must be typed
or neatly handwritten in blue or black
ink and must include illustrations
that are neat, colorful, attractive and
historically
accurate. Include a class.
title page with a
catchy title and an
illustration.
4. Research products that NASA
originally developed for use in space
that have lead to “spinoffs” for
improving national security, the
economy, productivity and/or
lifestyle on earth. Select 2-3
“spinoffs” and create an
advertisement and/or commercial for
each “spinoff” that will sell it to the
general public. (Hint: visit
http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/s
pinoffs.html.)
7. Investigate the effects that
spending prolonged periods of time
in space places on the cardiovascular,
circulatory, and skeletal body
systems. Define Space Adaptation
Syndrome (SAS). Demonstrate to
the class how using robots addresses
the effects of spending prolonged
periods of time in space. Create a
visual presentation (poster, Power
Point, etc) to share with classmates.
FCPS
Space
2. Compare/contrast life on the
moon to life on earth. Create a
skit with a partner or small group
that portrays common everyday
activities on the moon that would
be different than those on earth.
Write a script, locate costumes
and/or props and rehearse your
skit. Perform your skit for the
5. Develop a set of collector or
trading cards about patterns in the
solar system. Include planets,
stars, etc. Your set should contain
a minimum of ___ cards. The
front of each card should contain
a title and a visual (computer
generated or hand-drawn). The
back of each card should contain
information related to the topic.
Illustrations must be neat,
colorful, attractive and
historically accurate. Text should
be typed or neatly handwritten in
blue or black ink. Proofread to
be sure that all writing is clear,
well edited, and error-free.
8. Write your idea here:
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
Teacher Initials for Approval: _______
3. Synthesize the information
you have learned from
completing labs about rockets.
Create a new lab about rockets.
Gather materials needed.
Present the lab to the students in
your class or set up the lab for
others to do.
6. Research the history of the
US space program. Learn what
is planned for the future. Select a
partner and debate 3-5 key
points that support or oppose the
future of space exploration.
Present your viewpoint to the
class. Your debate should be 5-7
minutes in length and follow
policy debate format.
9. Visit the Air and Space
Museum web site and view five
virtual exhibits. Create a visual
presentation (poster, Power
Point, etc) that highlights the
relevance and/or importance of
each virtual exhibit you viewed.
Science/Space/Grade 8
 Teacher Resource Page
Grade 8 Space Extension Menu

Intended Use: Culminating activity for the unit or alternative activity for students who have
mastered curricular indicators

Standard(s) and Indicators Addressed:

Box 1: SC.800.50.14 Explore the modifications necessary for space travel and habitation to support
human life (i.e. eating/nutrition, sleeping, waste management, spacesuits, microgravity/weightlessness,
outer space environment, radiation, long term effects, pressure and temperature)

Box 2: SC.800.50.14 Explore the modifications necessary for space travel and habitation to support
human life (i.e. eating/nutrition, sleeping, waste management, spacesuits, microgravity/weightlessness,
outer space environment, radiation, long term effect s, pressure and temperature)

Box 3: SC.800.10 Students will use the language and instruments of science to apply the skills of
scientific inquiry to understand the nature of science.

Box 4: SC.800.70.12 Understand materials and inventions have been developed as a result of the space
program

Box 5: SC.800.70.07 Compare the Earth to other bodies (i.e., stars, planets, moons, asteroids, meteors,
and comets) in the solar system and the universe according to size, composition, and surface features

Box 6: SC.800.70.13 Assess the value of space exploration and research

Box 7: SC.800.70.06 Explain how technology is used and has expanded our views of the universe (i.e.
International Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope, space shuttles, rockets)
SC.800.70.12 Understand materials and inventions have been developed as a result of the space
program

Box 9: SC.800.70.13 Assess the value of space exploration and research

SC.800.80 Students will construct meaning about people and events that have shaped the nature of
science.
SC.800.80.01 Explain how people from different cultures and times have made important contributions
to the advancement of science, mathematics, and technology (i.e. Galileo, Goddard, Newton, Kepler,
Copernicus)

Organizational Tips:

 Provide student access to the school media center, the Internet, textbooks, and/or subscription
databases (SIRS, Student Resource Center, etc.)

 Provide access to supplies such as rulers, colored pencils, markers, paper, etc. for construction
of booklets, graphic organizers, etc.

 Provide access to software such as PowerPoint, Excel, Inspiration, etc. to assist students in creating final
product
FCPS Science/Space/Grade 8