Designing and Constructing the ISS

Worksheet Description

The worksheet provides insight into the intricate process of designing and constructing the International Space Station (ISS). With a series of open-ended questions, the worksheet prompts students to contemplate the challenges faced by the engineers and designers of the ISS. It encourages them to step into the shoes of these professionals, considering both the rewarding aspects and the potential difficulties of such a monumental task. An accompanying graphic of the ISS helps to contextualize and visually reinforce the topic for the students.

Through this worksheet, students are encouraged to think critically about the complexities involved in space engineering and design. The exercise seeks to cultivate an appreciation for the multifaceted nature of such projects, prompting students to recognize the myriad challenges and decisions that professionals must grapple with. By asking students to consider what they might include on the ISS for astronauts’ comfort, it emphasizes the human element in technological design. Furthermore, the worksheet fosters empathy, analytical thinking, and creativity as students are guided to think both technically and humanely about the practicalities and challenges of life in space.