Activity 2.4: the astronaut in space – guided role-play

Introduction

In this activity, students adopt the role of an astronaut who is on their final space mission. Students are guided in this activity through narration. They use movement and drama elements to explore the emotions of their final mission. What might it feel like to leave the Earth and travel thousands of kilometres up into space?

Duration

15–30 minutes

Resources

• Blast off with NASA astronaut Rex Walheim: part 1 of 4
• Open space large enough for students to move comfortably and safely

• Activity stepsShow details
  1. Watch the relevant section of the video Blast off with NASA astronaut Rex Walheim: part 1 of 4. (Time cue: from 8:20 to the end.)
  2. In the video Rex Walheim mentions some of the key aspects of the astronauts' lives. He talks about the flight deck; the mid-deck where the astronauts live; the blackness of space; the view from the space shuttle; the ability to see a thousand miles (1600 kilometres) in any direction; a personal crew book for writing and recording; no up or down in space; the International Space Station being like a five-bedroom house; the need to conduct spacewalks for repairs and experiments; reliance on solar power; and the orbiting of the Earth every 90 minutes.
  3. Begin this activity by discussing the ideas above and any other images or moments the students recall from the video.
  3. Have students spread out around the room and then close their eyes.
  4. Have them imagine being in space, thousands of kilometres above the Earth.
     • Would they feel excited, scared, lonely, courageous, in wonder, other emotions?
     • What would they miss most about their life on Earth?
     • What would they like best about their life in space?
  5. The next part of the activity is teacher-guided and simply asks the students to respond – to enter into the world of the role-play.
  6. Students 'mime' the actions as they go and there are no words unless they are guided to use them.
  7. Ask students to stand, open their eyes and respond through mime to a spoken narrative. A sample narrative, The final mission, is provided below.
  5. After the students listen to the spoken narrative, have them discuss their responses. What emotions did they feel? What were they imagining? Comment on images and actions that you saw as they were miming, and the depth of focus that they brought to the activity.
  6. Students could write an entry into their 'crew book', writing in the role of the astronaut leaving Earth for the final mission. They could be writing to their family, their colleagues, or future astronauts. What would they say?
• Sample narrative Show details

  The final mission

  This is your final space mission to the International Space Station. You have had a great career as an astronaut.

  You enter the suit room and put on your spacesuit for the final time, adjusting all the clips and buckles, the boots, the gloves. You pick up your helmet.

  As you and the crew cross the walkway into the shuttle, you turn and give a farewell wave to the huge waiting crowd. You know that somewhere in there are your family and friends.

  You and the crew enter the cabin of the Space Shuttle Discovery and begin to strap yourselves into your seats. There are many buttons and instruments that need to be sorted out before the launch begins. You hear Mission Control announcing the beginning of the launch process, and you silently count down to zero in your head.

  The power of the space shuttle is enormous and you feel the effect on your body as it shakes severely. While you are safely strapped in, you are aware of something that is beyond your control. The shuttle completes its first stage, then its second stage. What impact does this have on you? Does the ride become smoother, faster, slower?

  The space shuttle then leaves the Earth's atmosphere and begins its journey towards the International Space Station. As it does, you turn and look out of one of the shuttle windows, peering down on the Earth below, your home.