Chapter 2, Student Web Activities, Texas and Texans, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 2: Regions of Texas
"Johnson Space Center"

Introduction
Chapter 2 introduces you to the Johnson Space Center located in Houston. America's astronauts are trained here, and the facility has spurred the development of many scientific industries. In this activity, you will learn what some of those industries are, and you may be surprised by what you find out! You will also learn more about our solar system by collecting solar system "trading cards."

Destination Title: Johnson Space Center

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Directions
Start at the Johnson Space Center's Living in Space Web site.

Click on and read about Space Food, Space Wear, Space Work, and Space Fun.

After you have read through the information, answer the following questions.

1. Why can't the astronauts use regular salt and pepper in space?

2. Describe the suits that astronauts wear during the launch and the re-entry.

3. What sort of research beneficial to life on Earth has been performed inside the space shuttle?

4. What is a popular pastime of many astronauts when orbiting Earth?

5. Now go to http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/trading and follow the directions to play the game. When you are finished, use note cards or small pieces of paper to make your own solar system trading cards - one card for each of the planets and one for the sun. Use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation when making your trading cards.