Cities in Space: The Podcast

Let’s Talk About Space Law! Cities in Space® Podcast Episode 8

Season 2 is on orbit! Tune in Now to listen to the third episode of Season 2! The eighth episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 8: Space law, policy, and preservation with Michelle Hanlon.

Co-founder, President & CEO of For All Moonkind & Executive Director of the Center for Air & Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law, Michelle Hanlon, will discuss the fast-growing field of space law, protecting heritage sites, and the complexities of humanity’s race to the Moon in this golden age of space.

Geared for classroom success, all episodes are 30-45 minutes long and include Essential Questions and Classroom Projects (see below).

Essential Questions:  Claiming The Moon

Who owns the Moon? 

The Outer Space Treaty was a multi-lateral international treaty to set up space policy and law. According to the Treaty, no one can own the Moon. However, with the accelerated push to space, multiple countries, organizations, and corporations are planning a return to the Moon. As a result, there is a lot of discussion about how humanity can care for this precious celestial body. As you play this game below, what do YOU think?

Classroom Project:  Let’s Play A Game

First, divide your class into teams. Each team will identify their mission for returning to the Moon, research and answer the following questions, and present them to the class. Have everyone in the class fill in the rubric below. At the end of the presentations, have everyone add their scores and congratulate the winning team!

Send us videos of your presentations; we would love to see them!

Activity: Questions for discussion;

• What is the Outer Space Treaty? And, how does it impact our team’s mission?
• What country or countries are you representing?
• Are you commercial, governmental, or both?
• What is your mission on the Moon? (e.g., science, habitation, mining, archeological, tourism, etc.)
• What does your team or workplace look like?
• How will you care for your team? (e.g., physical and mental health, sustainability, pay, communication with people back home on Earth, work hours, and duration of stay?)
• How diverse is your team? What types of people are represented?
• What are you doing with your project? (e.g., Is this a governmental mission that is paid for by taxes on Earth? Is this a for-profit tourism / commercial venture?)
• How is your mission benefiting Home Base – Earth?
• How is your mission benefitting sustainability on the Moon and Earth?
• How are you protecting existing heritage sites on the Moon?
• How are you representing humanity with inclusiveness?

Goals and outcomes:

Through research, sharing, and presentations, students understand the Moon, the Outer Space Treaty, and the complexities involved in honoring something that we all share together.

Length:

Teachers can take this project as far as they would like spending a matter of weeks on it or a few simple classes.

Presentation practice is a great skill that is essential for learning healthy communication not only in academics but also in a successful community.

Rubric:

(Scale: 1 is the least demonstrated, and 4 is the most demonstrated)

1. The team’s mission was strongly developed and defined. 

2. The team planned how to care for their workforce, allowing them to thrive rather than just survive off-world. 

3. The team demonstrated strategies for collaboration and/or compromise with other competing nations or corporations without compromising its mission. 

4. The team demonstrated strategies to protect heritage sites and their footprint. 

5. The team had a strategy to ensure high inclusivity and diversity in their workforce. 

6. The team showed how their mission on the moon will also benefit life on Earth. 

7. The team analyzed and explained how their mission would be paid for.

Additional Opportunities For Students:

WILL YOUR QUESTION GET ANSWERED? From spacewalking, to astrophysics, to oceanography, to why they explore, Neil deGrasse Tyson, William Shatner, Astronaut Scott Kelly, Astronaut José Hernández, and Celine Cousteau have the answers! Moderated by Janet Ivey of Janet’s Planet, this is your chance to ask them directly!

Submit your EPIC questions by November 19th and see if you’ll get a response straight from the stars of this voyage on December 20th, LIVE from Antarctica! 

REGISTER HERE! space2sea.io/webinar

Let’s Talk About Space! Cities in Space® Podcast Episode 7

Season 2 is a go! Tune in Now to listen to the second episode of Season 2! The seventh episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 7: Dr. Phil Metzger!

Dr. Philip Metzger is a planetary physicist with the Planetary Science faculty at the University of Central Florida, developing what he calls “Economic Planetary Science” to help humanity’s expansion beyond Earth. He has 30 years’ experience at NASA first as an engineer and then as a physicist, developing and operating spaceflight technologies. He co-founded the NASA KSC Swamp Works, a research and development lab modeled after the Skunkworks and implementing innovation practices borrowed from Silicon Valley. The Swamp Works focuses on technologies for planetary surfaces including mining, manufacturing, and construction using space resources.

Dr. Metger will discuss newly developing fields that combine Planetary and Space Science with engineering and economics and how you can plan your trajectory into the space industry. 

Geared for classroom success, all episodes are approximately 30 to 40 minutes long and include Essential Questions and Classroom Projects (see below).

Essential questions:

• Is there a professional field that is NOT needed in space? If so, what is it?
• Who is needed and what skills must they possess if you are in a settlement on another planet like Mars or working in a station on the moon? 
• What steps do I take to get there?
• Classroom Project: What Is Your Specialty In Space?

Classroom project:

Goals and outcomes:

• Through research, sharing, and presentations, students gain an understanding of the jobs and fields needed to have a thriving, not just surviving, off-world community are much more expansive than one might have presumed.
• By investigating the specialty students want to pursue, they can discover different avenues for accomplishing their goals. One avenue might be attending a university, college, or a two-year specialty training program. Another avenue to become a highly specialized professional might be through apprenticeships and internships.

Length:

Teachers can take this project as far as they would like spending a matter of weeks on this project or a few simple classes.

Recommended group size:

Divide the classroom into small groups between two and five students.

Activity: What’s Your Mission?

Imagine a city in space. It currently has 2,500 inhabitants and is destined to grow and thrive. Who will be needed to create this growing, off-world metropolis? Consider where your city will be: perhaps it will be on another planet or a station floating in space. 

Examples of specialties and professions that would be highly needed while living in an off-world community are listed below. Your students may choose to add to this list.  (Teachers may choose to have students either draw their field and profession out of a bag or students can choose for themselves.)

• Rocket science. Physics. Hypersonics.
• 3D printing. Robotics. 
• Space architecture. Engineering. Chemistry. Mathematics.
• Medical (support and research). Mental health. Education/ Child Care.
• Geology. Seismology. 
• Automotive technology. Welding. Mining Technology.
• Visual Arts / Design Utilization. Computer programming. 
• Artificial Intelligence. Music/Entertainment.  
• Solar Power/Environmental Studies. 
• Radiation Studies.
• Space Law/Policy. Anthropology/History.
• Space Agriculture/Husbandry/Botany/Ecology. 
• Waste Management / Plumbing.
• Student groups will determine the location of their city and the needs required to have a successful settlement and then expand upon those ideas with their designated field. Each group member should discuss their specialty within their group and how it will benefit their city. Have them research and create a digital or paper roadmap on how they will accomplish their goal of specializing in that field. What steps are needed, and where can they study and learn about them? 

Once groups have researched their career roadmaps and discussed how this skill will benefit their city in space, have students prepare for a group presentation. 

During each presentation, student groups should identify where their cities are located, everyone’s specialty, and how that specialty will serve the city. Next, they should each discuss the road map for becoming the professional they seek to be in this simulation. 

Presentation practice is a great skill that is essential for learning healthy communication not only in academics but also in a successful community.

Send us videos of your presentations; we would love to see them!

Additional Opportunities For Teachers:

2025 Christa McAuliffe National Space Educator Award 

Apply by November 30, 2024. Learn more by clicking this link:

Christa McAuliffe National Space Educator Award

Let’s talk about Space… MEDICINE!

Season 2 is a go! Tune in Now to listen to the first episode of Season 2! Our sixth episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 6: Space Medicine with guest Dr. Shawna Pandya.

Scientist, Astronaut, Aquanaut, Martial Artist, and Space Medicine and Extreme expert Dr. Shawna Pandya will discuss her upcoming suborbital launch with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) and Virgin Galactic and how her research will benefit science and space medicine. We’ll delve into her training and what specific life lessons she thinks are essential for growth.

Geared for classroom success, all episodes are approximately 30 to 40 minutes long and include Essential Questions and Classroom Projects (see below).

Essential questions:

• What do aviation and space medicine doctors do?
• Beyond just being an emergency room doctor, what do you need to be specifically knowledgeable about when you are a space medicine doctor?
• What medical conditions could impact successful space operations?

Classroom project:

Goals and outcomes:

Students will gain insight and understanding of the unique challenges facing humanity as we head beyond the environment our bodies and minds have evolved within, different or absent gravities, atmosphere and pressures, radiation thresholds, etcetera. Students will gain more experience working in teams, researching complex topics and establishing goals.

Length:

Teachers can take this project as far as they like, spending a matter of weeks, or just one class period.

Recommended group size:

Divide the classroom into groups of appropriate sizes depending on class size.

Activity: What’s Your Mission?

Students will imagine they are on a five day research mission to space and determine what critical skills will be essential to survive this trip.

First, research what is happening now in the field of space medicine and consider what will be needed in the future. Perhaps start by looking up the Polaris Dawn and Artemis I missions – what is/was their focus?

As Dr. Joe Dervay said in the AAMC article, “Aerospace medicine has been around for several decades, but there is no doubt we are in our infancy of knowledge in many ways. It’s important to encourage and recruit folks who are foremost excellent physicians who like to be challenged, are mission-focused, and demonstrate creativity and innovation. We are going to see some amazing science and exploration in the coming decades.”

Next, consider the following:

• Does your expertise flow between different specialties?
• Does your team represent a general doctor who is focused on preventative care and handles sickness, sprains, and pains? Or, are you a more specialized doctor who handles radiation sickness, macular degeneration, pregnancy etc…?

Finally, create a visual or digital display with accompanying presentation. During your presentation to the class and your teacher:

• Present your team’s specialty. Cite what research has already been done in this area and speculate on what will be needed to move forward into this golden age of space. List what you will be doing and the tools and materials you will need to complete your job. Among other things, these may include digital books, medicine, CAT scans, etc.
• Describe an imaginary scenario between you and a patient. What are their symptoms, and how will you ease their discomfort or support their health? What are the patient’s follow-up plans to support their wellness?

(Presentation practice is a great skill, essential for learning healthy communication not only in academics, but in a successful community, so have your student groups decide who will be speaking.) 

Have fun exploring! (and send us pics of your projects!!)

Let’s talk about SPACE!

Tune in Now to listen to the fifth episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 5: What Makes A Crew? Interview With Astronauts Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon available NOW!

Astronauts Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon of the Polaris Dawn Mission [polarisprogram.com/dawn/] will discuss their upcoming five day mission into our Earth’s highest orbit yet flown. While in space they and the rest of their four person crew will be doing the first commercial space walk, testing Starlink laser-based communications, and doing 40 research experiments for colleges and research centers across the US!

Geared for classroom success, all episodes are approximately 30 to 40 minutes long and include Essential Questions and Classroom Projects (see below).

Essential questions:

• What qualities are needed for a team of astronauts to survive in space?
• How does research conducted in space help and support the human population on Earth?

Classroom project:

Goals and outcomes:

Students will learn what is needed to survive a mission to space and develop an understanding of how research conducted in space supports both Earth-bound and off-world civilizations.

Length:

Teachers can take this project as far as they like, spending a matter of weeks, or just one class period.

Recommended group size:

Divide the classroom into groups of four.

Activity: What’s Your Mission?

Students will imagine they are on a five day research mission to space and determine what critical skills will be essential to survive this trip.

First, they will determine what job they will be responsible for while in space. Examples may include: Commander, Pilot, Mission Specialist, Medical Officer, Mechanical Specialist, and Artist (whether it be a musician, writer, or filmmaker).

Next, students will determine what they want to research in space. These research projects and experiments will not only give insight into a better understanding of human health and psychology in space but also give additional data on the human condition on Earth. Some examples of these experiments could be studying intracranial pressure and the symptoms caused by increased pressure on the brain during space flight; bone and muscle loss that happens when in a weightless environment; motion sickness that is commonly experienced in space flight; inflight space medicine that will be necessary for long-term missions; or radiation exposure and how it impacts crew members during space flights. For more ideas, go to the Polaris Dawn Mission website to review all 40 experiments which will be conducted on the five day mission. https://polarisprogram.com/dawn/

Finally, once students have decided on their essential crew members and researched their chosen experiment, have them give their presentations to peers, other students, and faculty.

Students should explain why they chose the roles they did, what they have learned about their area of research, and how it is beneficial for both living on Earth and in space.

(Presentation practice is a great skill, essential for learning healthy communication not only in academics, but in a successful community, so have your student groups decide who will be speaking.) 

Have fun exploring! (and send us pics of your projects!!)

Let’s talk about building off-world!

Tune in Now to listen to the fourth episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 4: Building Off -World with Melodie Yashar

Space architect, technologist, and researcher, Melodie Yashar is the VP of Building Design & Performance at ICON Build. On this episode we discuss ICON’s work on Project Olympus and their collaborative efforts with NASA’s Artemis Initiative which includes exploration and building on the moon.

Geared for classroom success, all episodes are approximately 30 to 40 minutes long and include Essential Questions and Classroom Projects (see below).

Essential questions:

• What is the Artemis Project?
• What 3D printing materials are naturally available on the moon?
• How will 3D-printed habitats and lunar bases successfully house a community?

Classroom project:

Goals and outcomes:

Through research, sharing, and presentations, students gain an understanding of space architecture and what will be needed to build labs, stations, and habitats on the moon.

Length:

Teachers can take this project as far as they like, spending a matter of weeks.

Recommended group size:

Divide the classroom into small groups between two and five students.

Activity:

Imagine your base on the moon.

Students will review ICON Build’s Olympus initiative. If your classroom has a 3D Printer, use it along with accessible software such as Tinker CAD. If not, classes may use any supplies including recycled material to create and design their base.

https://www.iconbuild.com/projects/project-olympus

Have student groups research ICON’s plans and then discuss their own ideal architectural plans for their base. 

Once your bases are created, have students give presentations to peers and other students and faculty.

(Presentation practice is a great skill, essential for learning healthy communication not only in academics, but in a successful community, so have your student groups decide who will be speaking.) 

Additional opportunities for students:

Additional opportunities for students:

* Polaris Dawn & El Sistema USA® A Musicians Guide to Reaching for the Stars! It’s an opportunity to explore how music has the potential to open doors and set you on many paths, from being a conductor to a music producer to an astronaut! Find out what it takes to be part of a mission like Polaris Dawn from Sarah and her special guests, and how being a musician connects to her role as a space adventurer. Then, make your own personal, creative, and musical discoveries by tackling each Zone’s Challenge Question and Activity.

Learn more at:

https://polarisdawn.elsistemausa.org.

* Astronaut Anna Menon will read her book Kisses from Space to her own children and patients at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital – from space!

You can get an advance copy of this sweet book by clicking this link:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744559/kisses-from-space-by-anna-menon-and-keri-vasek-illustrated-by-andy-harkness.

Have fun exploring! (and send us pics of your projects!!) And, as always…

Keep looking up!

Let’s talk about Mars!

Tune in Now to listen to the third episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 3: Humans to Mars: The Next Frontier with guest Dr. Pascal Lee.

Planetary Scientist and leading Mars expert Dr. Pascal Lee discusses his expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, his studies of Martian analogs on Earth, and the challenges we will face in exploring Mars and beyond.

Geared for classroom success, all episodes are approximately 30 to 40 minutes long and include Essential Questions and Classroom Projects (see below).

Essential questions:

• How is the surface and atmosphere on Mars different from living on Earth?
• What are the challenges to living on Mars? (For example: atmosphere, gravity, temperature, water, etc.)
• In what ways can humans prepare for this change in the environment?

Classroom project:

First, look at Google Mars.

Choose a location you think would be most habitable for humans to settle on the planet.

Things to consider:

• What machinery would you need on Mars?
• How would your habitat be protected from dust and radiation on Mars?
• How would you grow food and acquire water on Mars?
• How would you travel safely to explore and do research on Mars? How can you maintain a psychologically healthy community?
• What would you need in your lab (medical included) on Mars?

Next, Look at Google Earth.

Choose a location to compare to your Mars locations. (Think New Mexico, Arizona in the United States, desert or tundra regions worldwide.) Compare and contrast the environments.

Discuss the challenges and how humans could protect themselves in situations like radiation, the cold, and poisonous dust!

Let’s discuss the A in STE(A)M – and why everyone is needed in Space

Tune in Now to listen to the second episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 2: Let’s discuss the A in STE(A)M – and why everyone is needed in Space

Director of Education at Explore Mars & Founder of the renowned television series Janet’s Planet, Janet Ivey, will focus on the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, and the ARTS, highlighting how each child’s passion can be supported in building the pipeline to space!

Essential questions:

• Is there a professional field that is NOT needed in space? If so, what is it?
• It is great to survive off-world, but what would it take to thrive and prosper?
• Who is needed and what skills must they possess if you are in a settlement on another planet like Mars or working in a station on the moon?

Classroom project:

Cities in Space Micro Project: Imagining your own City in Space (Activity brought to you by STEAMSPACE®)

Goals and outcomes :

Through research, sharing and presentations, students gain an understanding that the jobs and fields needed to have a thriving, not just surviving, off-world community are much more expansive than one might have presumed prior to this project .

Length:

Teachers can take this project as far as they would like spending a matter of weeks on this project or a few simple classes.

Materials Needed:

Posterboard or digital presentation materials.

Recommended group size:

Divide the classroom into small groups between two and five students.

Activity: Imagine A City in Space

Your city currently has 1,500 inhabitants and is destined to grow and thrive. (Thrive is the most important word when we are thinking of our city in space. It is one thing to create a community off world that survives, but what will be needed to thrive?) Who will be needed to create this growing off-world metropolis? Where would your city be? Whether your city is located on the moon, Mars, or floating in free space, each location has specific needs and requirements to successfully thrive.

Examples of specialties and professions that would be highly needed living in an off-world community are listed below, your students may choose to add to this list.  (Teachers may choose to have students either draw their field and profession out of a bag or students can choose for themselves.)

• Space architecture. Engineering. Chemistry. Mathematics. 
• Medical support and research. Mental health. Education and child care. 
• Geology in seismology. Automotive technology and mining technology. 
• Visual arts and design utilization. Computer programming. Artificial intelligence specialization. 3D printing. Music and entertainment.  
• Solar power and environmental studies. Radiation studies. 
• Space law and policy. Anthropology/History.
• Agriculture/husbandry/botany. Space agriculture and ecology. Waste management. 
• Rocket science. Physics. Hypersonics.

Student groups will research the location of their city and the needs required to have a successful settlement and then expand upon those ideas with their designated field. They will be able to illustrate on the poster board or their digital model how they will be contributing to the community.

Once student teams have researched, illustrated, and for more advanced groups, created a written work, students can plan on how to give their presentation. (Presentation practice is a great skill which is essential for learning healthy communication not only in academics, but in a successful community, so have your student groups decide who will be speaking.)

Once presentations are given, have the entire class create either a digital or physical model of their city using the data found by each specific group.

Have fun exploring! (and send us pics of your projects!!)

Additional opportunities for students:

• Mars Innovation Challenge hosted by Explore Mars: https://www.exploremars.org/mars-innovation-challenge/
• Solar Eclipse is coming on April 8, 2024 –  get your glasses now!!

Let’s talk about Rocket Science!

Tune in Now to listen to the first episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 1: Rocket Science with Dr. Leon Vanstone: How do we get there?

Rocket scientist, space entrepreneur and storyteller, Dr. Vanstone joins us to tell his story and offer his insight on where we will be going next in this golden age of space exploration.

Geared for your classroom: All of our episodes are planned for classroom success and are  30 minutes long and include Essential Questions and Classroom Projects.

Essential questions:

• What is rocket propulsion?
• What is acceleration?
• Why does gravity play such an important role in rocket science?

Classroom project:

Building your Engine

Activity brought to you by Jet Propulsion Laboratory:

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/make-a-soda-can-engine/