Living bones, strong bones

Explorers need strong bones so they can face the physical challenges placed on their bodies while in space. The longer astronauts are in the environment of space, the weaker their bones become due to a lack of loading forces. Bones below the waist are most affected by reduced gravity environments, and the bones located in these areas are more likely to suffer bone loss during spaceflight. It is important for astronauts to train before, during, and after their flight in space to maintain strong bones all their lives. A diet including calcium and vitamin D also helps astronauts maintain strong bones.

In this activity students will observe bones, comparing bone size relative to the living being in which the bones are found. They will then design a bone model, then compare and contrast the weight bearing capacity of their bone model, making inferences about bone structure, weight bearing bones, and the effects of different environments on those bones.

This resource is from the Mission X collection of activities which is an international educational challenge that focuses on health, science, fitness and nutrition, and encourages pupils to train like an astronaut. To find out more about Mission X, visit https://www.stem.org.uk/esero/primary/competitions-and-challenges/mission-x.