Curriculum Module-Behavioral Physiology

Overview of NASA/STEP Curriculum Module-Summer 2000

I. Title of Module:

II. Author(s):

III. Grade Level:

IV. Nature of The Students:

V. Purposes (Course Objectives):

Gain an understanding of space exploration and the factors influencing survival in space.
Provide the student with a conceptual and applicable understanding of behavioral differences / similarities among some invertebrates.
To compare these behaviors on the basis of physiological requirements for survival.
Relate these factors to survival in space in terms of adaptations and physiological needs.
Have teams of students prepare presentations (oral presentations with charts) that will be scored by the class using a rubric.
Have the individual student submit a daily log / reflection sheet.

VI. Overview: (Course Description):

Students working in teams of 3-4 will have the opportunity to set-up experiments that investigate how various invertebrates response to different environments. They will analyze their data and discuss how these behaviors might enable the organisms to survive in those particular environments. Teams will then prepare Presentations (charts and oral presentations) to share data and key concepts with the rest of the class.The class will use a Presentation Grading Rubric to score each of the team presentations. Finally, on an individual basis students will submit a daily Log / Reflection Sheet summarizing the day’s activities, key understandings, and their possible relationship to survival in space.
See Schedule of Activities and Log / Reflection Sheets below.

SCHEDULE

Day	Activities
1	Demo:Weightlessness Apparatus Video: Reduced Gravity Planaria Regeneration Log / Presentation Introduction / Presentation
2	Animal Behavior: Pillbugs Observation of Planaria Regeneration Log / Presentation
3	Cryobiology / Daphnia and Physiology Suspended Animation w/ Triassic Triops Observation of Planaria Regeneration Log / Presentation
4	Galvanotaxis Kit w/ Paramecia Observation of Planaria Regeneration Log / Presentation
5	Taxis of Protists w / Euglena & Paramecium Planaria Centrifuge Experiment Observation of Planaria Regeneration Log / Presentation
6	Planaria Training Trays Pillbugs Centrifuge Experiment Observation of Planaria Regeneration Log / Presentation
7	Metabolism Expt. Kit w/ Earthworms Firefly and ATP Observation of Planaria Regeneration Log / Presentation
8	Animal Behavior: Mealworms ( Daphnia ) & Earthworms NASA Bio Blast* Complete observation of Planaria Log / Presentation

NASA/MASTER PROGRAM
BEHAVIORIAL PHYSIOLOGY
Ms.Rivas
DAILY LOG & REFLECTION SHEETS

NAME: ___________________ DATE: _________

Member of Team: _______________

Describe the procedure(s) you followed today:

Reflect on something new you learned (&/or something you knew and now understand better).

How does this knowledge help “human exploration and survival in space”?

Last Updated Sept. 19, 2000 by Roz Krakowsky
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