Sustainable Space Colony: Design for the Future

Created byLouise Darby

1 views0 downloads

Sustainable Space Colony: Design for the Future

Grade 4ScienceSocial Studies5 days

In this project, fourth-grade students design a sustainable space colony considering the movements of the Earth, Moon, and Sun and limited resources. They will address the challenge of balancing the needs and wants of the colony's inhabitants while minimizing environmental impact. Students classify resources, design a solar energy system, and develop a resource management plan based on sustainability principles to ensure the colony's long-term survival.

Space ColonySustainabilityResource ManagementEarth MovementsSolar EnergyNeeds and WantsFuture Generations

Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.

📝

Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a space colony that uses Earth, Moon, and Sun movements and limited resources to be sustainable for people now and in the future?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How can we create a sustainable space colony that meets the needs of its inhabitants?
What are the challenges and benefits of using solar energy in space?
How do the Earth's cycles influence resource management in a space colony?
How can we balance the needs and wants of the colony's inhabitants with the limited resources available?
How does the movement of the Earth, Moon and Sun impact the space colony and its energy production?
What are the different types of resources (natural, human, capital) needed to build and maintain a space colony?
How can the principles of sustainability on Earth be applied to a space colony?
How do the choices we make about resource use today affect future generations in the space colony?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Design a space colony that utilizes solar energy as a primary power source.
Explain how the movements of the Earth, Moon, and Sun can be harnessed for energy production and resource management in a space colony.
Apply principles of sustainability to the design of a space colony, balancing resource use and minimizing environmental impact.
Classify and manage different types of resources (natural, human, capital) needed for the space colony.
Make informed decisions about resource allocation to meet the needs and wants of present and future generations in the space colony.
Describe the movement of the Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun.
Describe the movement of the moon relative to the earth.
Explain influences on consumer choices and methods that can be used to help make informed personal consumer and financial choices.
Explain why we have different seasons in reference to the tilt of the earth and its movement around the Sun.
Recognise the difference between needs and wants and why choices need to be made about how limited resources are used

Science

5ES102

Primary

Describe the movement of the Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun in the solar system.Reason: Directly aligns with understanding the Earth's movement for colony design.

5ES102

Primary

Describe the movement of the moon relative to the earth.Reason: Directly aligns with understanding the Moon's movement for colony design.

5ES102

Secondary

Explain why we have different seasons in reference to the tilt of the earth and its movement around the Sun.Reason: Understanding Earth's seasons provides context for environmental factors that may need to be considered in a space colony.

Social Studies

5EB101

Primary

Recognise the difference between needs and wants and why choices need to be made about how limited resources are usedReason: Directly aligns with the resource management aspect of the project.

5EB102

Primary

Classify types of resources (natural, human, capital) and the ways societies use them to satisfy the needs and wants of present and future generationsReason: Directly aligns with the resource classification and use in the colony.

Consumer Choices

Supporting

Explain influences on consumer choices and methods that can be used to help make informed personal consumer and financial choicesReason: Relates to making informed decisions about resource allocation in the colony.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Distress Signal from Space

Simulate a 'critical incident' where students receive an urgent transmission from a failing prototype space colony. The colonists report life support malfunctions and dwindling resources, challenging students to urgently propose sustainable solutions to save the colony and its inhabitants.

📚

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Colony Needs and Wants Assessment

Students research the basic needs of humans in a space colony (air, water, food, shelter) and how the movements of the Earth, Moon, and Sun could impact the availability of resources. They will also identify 'wants' that would improve the quality of life in the colony.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Brainstorm a list of essential needs for human survival in a space colony environment.

2. Research the challenges of providing these needs in space (e.g., air purification, water recycling, food production).

3. Investigate how the Earth, Moon, and Sun's movements (rotation, orbit, seasons) might affect the colony's resources (solar energy, temperature, access to lunar resources).

4. Create a separate list of 'wants' that would improve life in the colony (e.g., recreational facilities, entertainment, advanced technology).

5. Prioritize the lists of needs and wants, explaining why certain items are more critical than others.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed list of needs and wants for the space colony, prioritized based on their impact on survival and quality of life. Explanation of how Earth, Moon, and Sun movements might affect resource availability.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Science Standard 5ES102 (Earth, Moon, Sun movements), Social Studies Standard 5EB101 (Needs vs. Wants), and Learning Goals related to solar energy use and Earth's movements.

Activity 2

Resource Allocation and Solar Power Design

Students will classify resources into natural, human, and capital resources needed to build and maintain the space colony. They will then design a system for harnessing solar energy, considering the colony's location and the Sun's movements.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research and identify natural resources (e.g., minerals, water ice), human resources (e.g., engineers, scientists, farmers), and capital resources (e.g., tools, machinery, buildings) required for the space colony.

2. Classify each resource according to its type (natural, human, or capital) and explain its importance to the colony.

3. Research different methods of harnessing solar energy in space (e.g., solar panels, concentrated solar power).

4. Design a solar energy collection system that considers the colony's location (e.g., lunar orbit, Mars surface) and the Sun's movements.

5. Create a schematic diagram showing how the solar energy will be collected, converted, stored, and distributed throughout the colony.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed resource classification chart and a schematic diagram of a solar energy collection and distribution system for the space colony.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Science Standard (Solar System), Social Studies Standard 5EB102 (Resource Classification), and Learning Goals related to classifying resources and using solar energy.

Activity 3

Sustainability Blueprint

Students will create a resource management plan for the space colony, focusing on sustainable practices. This plan should address waste recycling, food production, and water conservation. They will also explore how the principles of sustainability on Earth can be applied to a space colony, including how the tilt of the Earth and its seasons might be mimicked to promote growth.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research different methods of waste recycling in space (e.g., composting, closed-loop systems).

2. Design a food production system for the colony, considering factors such as space, energy, and nutrient requirements (e.g., hydroponics, aquaponics).

3. Develop a water conservation plan that includes methods for collecting, purifying, and reusing water.

4. Research how the tilt of the Earth and its seasons affect plant growth and resource availability.

5. Explain how artificial seasons could be created in the space colony to optimize food production and resource management.

6. Combine all the research into a complete presentation.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive resource management plan that includes strategies for waste recycling, food production, and water conservation. A presentation explaining how Earth's sustainability principles can be applied in the space colony, including the creation of artificial seasons.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Social Studies Standard (Consumer Choices), Science Standard 5ES102 (Seasons), and Learning Goals related to sustainability and resource management.

🏆

Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Sustainable Space Colony Design Rubric

Category 1

Needs and Wants Assessment

Assessment of the student's ability to identify, prioritize, and justify essential needs and wants for a space colony, considering environmental factors.

Criterion 1

Understanding of Needs and Environmental Impact

Demonstrates understanding of essential human needs (air, water, food, shelter) in a space colony and how the Earth, Moon, and Sun's movements impact resource availability.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of human needs and provides insightful analysis of how Earth, Moon, and Sun movements affect resource availability, going beyond the basics.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of human needs and clearly explains how Earth, Moon, and Sun movements affect resource availability.

Developing

2 Points

Shows an emerging understanding of human needs and attempts to explain how Earth, Moon, and Sun movements affect resource availability, but may have some gaps in understanding.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows a beginning understanding of human needs and struggles to explain how Earth, Moon, and Sun movements affect resource availability.

Criterion 2

Prioritization and Justification

Effectively prioritizes needs and wants based on their impact on survival and quality of life, providing clear justifications.

Exemplary

4 Points

Prioritization is exceptionally well-reasoned, demonstrating advanced critical thinking about the colony's long-term survival and quality of life with creative and insightful justifications.

Proficient

3 Points

Prioritization is well-reasoned, demonstrating effective critical thinking about the colony's survival and quality of life with clear justifications.

Developing

2 Points

Prioritization shows some reasoning but may lack depth, with basic justifications for the choices made.

Beginning

1 Points

Prioritization is unclear or poorly justified, with minimal reasoning provided.

Category 2

Resource Allocation and Solar Power

Assessment of the student's ability to classify resources and design a solar energy system for the space colony.

Criterion 1

Resource Classification

Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of natural, human, and capital resources required for a space colony.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated and insightful understanding of resource classification, going beyond basic identification to analyze complex interdependencies.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of resource classification and clearly explains the importance of each resource type.

Developing

2 Points

Shows an emerging understanding of resource classification but may have some gaps in knowledge or explanations.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows a beginning understanding of resource classification and struggles to explain the importance of each resource type.

Criterion 2

Solar Energy System Design

Designs a solar energy collection and distribution system that is practical, efficient, and considers the colony's location and the Sun's movements.

Exemplary

4 Points

The solar energy system design is innovative, highly efficient, and demonstrates advanced understanding of the colony's location and the Sun's movements.

Proficient

3 Points

The solar energy system design is practical, efficient, and clearly considers the colony's location and the Sun's movements.

Developing

2 Points

The solar energy system design is somewhat practical but may have inefficiencies or lack consideration of the colony's location and the Sun's movements.

Beginning

1 Points

The solar energy system design is impractical, inefficient, and shows little consideration of the colony's location and the Sun's movements.

Category 3

Sustainability Blueprint

Assessment of the student's ability to create a resource management plan based on sustainable practices and apply Earth's sustainability principles to a space colony.

Criterion 1

Resource Management Plan

Develops a comprehensive resource management plan that effectively addresses waste recycling, food production, and water conservation.

Exemplary

4 Points

The resource management plan is exceptionally comprehensive, innovative, and demonstrates a deep understanding of sustainable practices in a space colony environment.

Proficient

3 Points

The resource management plan is comprehensive and effectively addresses waste recycling, food production, and water conservation.

Developing

2 Points

The resource management plan addresses some aspects of waste recycling, food production, and water conservation but may lack depth or completeness.

Beginning

1 Points

The resource management plan is incomplete and lacks a clear strategy for waste recycling, food production, and water conservation.

Criterion 2

Application of Sustainability Principles

Clearly explains how Earth's sustainability principles can be applied in the space colony, including the creation of artificial seasons.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides an exceptionally clear and insightful explanation of how Earth's sustainability principles can be applied in the space colony, demonstrating advanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities.

Proficient

3 Points

Clearly explains how Earth's sustainability principles can be applied in the space colony, including a discussion of artificial seasons.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts to explain how Earth's sustainability principles can be applied in the space colony but may lack clarity or depth.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to explain how Earth's sustainability principles can be applied in the space colony.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

How did the Earth, Moon, and Sun's movements influence your space colony design, especially regarding solar energy collection and resource management?

Text

Required

Question 2

To what extent were you able to balance the needs and wants of the colony's inhabitants with the limited resources available? Use a scale to show how well you think you did.

Scale

Required

Question 3

Reflecting on your design choices, which sustainability practices do you think will be most critical for the long-term survival of the space colony, and why?

Text

Required

Question 4

Which type of resource (natural, human, or capital) was the most challenging to incorporate into your colony design, and what innovative solutions did you develop to overcome this challenge?

Text

Required

Question 5

If you could revisit your design, what is one consumer choice or resource allocation decision you would change to improve the colony's sustainability or quality of life?

Text

Required