The International Space Station

Lab Brief #4

🎯 Your mission

Learn the rule. Then catch nature using it.

⚡ The twist

The light you see now started its trip a long time ago.

What you'll learn

The International Space Station orbits Earth about 400 kilometers above the surface. Astronauts conduct scientific experiments in microgravity conditions there.

Key words

orbit
The curved path an object takes around another in space.

Make a hypothesis first

Guess: how big does that look from here vs. from there?

Say your guess out loud — then find out if you were right.

Step 1 of 4 · Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 of 4 · Do

Calculate your weight on different planets by multiplying your Earth weight by each planet's gravity factor. Make a bar graph of the results.

Step 3 of 4 · Observe

Compare the before and after states.

Step 4 of 4 · Record

Write your conclusion: did the results match your hypothesis? What would you change next time?

Question 1 of 3

How long does it take Earth to orbit the sun?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 2 of 3

What is the closest star to Earth?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 3 of 3

What keeps planets in orbit around the sun?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Mind = blown

🪐 A day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus.

Nice work!

You got 0 of 3 right.

Next: Gravity and Orbits All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Experiment

We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this in real life: Every sunrise and every shadow is this idea in action.

🏆 Stretch challenge (try it this week): Look at the moon tonight. Notice its shape. Look again in 3 days.

👨‍👩‍👧 For the dinner table: “If you could visit any planet, which would you pick and why?”

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