Boredom and Loneliness

1. understand how boredom and loneliness can affect astronauts a. NGSS 3-LS3-2 b. CCSS W.5.7
2. work in small groups to develop a product to help combat boredom and loneliness in space a. NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1 b. NGSS 3-5-ETS1-2
3. create their product in Minecraft: Education Edition and enter it into a class entrepreneur competition a. NGSS 3-5-ETS1-3

Guiding Ideas

Have you ever been bored and couldn’t think of what to do? Have you ever found yourself feeling lonely? In this lesson, students will research how boredom and loneliness can affect astronauts in space. After they complete their research, students will develop a product to combat these issues and enter it into a class entrepreneurship competition!

Essential Questions

• What causes boredom and loneliness? Can these issues affect anyone? Why?

• What makes boredom and loneliness harder for astronauts?

• What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

• How can students help astronauts combat boredom and loneliness while on the ISS?

Teacher Preparation & Notes

1. Review all resources included in the External References section of the lesson plan.

2. Decide if small groups will be created by the teacher or the students.

3. Gather materials:

a. Chart paper

b. Markers

c. Graph paper

d. Pencils

e. Colored pencils

Student Activities

Day 1:

Estimated time: 60 minutes

1. Students will research boredom and loneliness in astronauts with a small group.

a. They can use the following resources or find their own:

i. Life in Space: Astronaut Chris Hadfield's Video Guide (website/videos)

ii. Wonderopolis: Do Astronauts Get Bored in Space? (article)

iii. Astronauts Open Up About Depression and Isolation in Space (article)

2. On chart paper, groups will create a poster that includes what they have found in their research.

3. The class will come together briefly to share what they have learned in preparation for the next lesson.

Day 2:

Estimated time: 60 minutes

1. Class will begin by reviewing what the student groups learned about boredom and loneliness in astronauts.

2. The teacher will facilitate a brief discussion about entrepreneurship and explain that the student groups are going to develop and create a product to help combat boredom and loneliness on the ISS.

a. S/he will show the video Students Creating Inventions to Help People Worldwide to inspire students.

3. Groups will read the Wonderopolis: Are You an Entrepreneur? together and then begin planning their product.

4. Once student groups have permission to move to the next step, they will begin drafting their product on graph paper.

Day 3:

Estimated time: 60 minutes

1. Students will build the product they developed in a flat world in Minecraft, labeling the product and its parts using slates, boards, and/or posters.

a. Students can also create a new template from the Blocks of Grass world that is available in the Minecraft Library.

2. Once they are finished, students will screencast a walk-through or walk-around of their product and upload it to a curation site such as Flipgrid or Wakelet.

3. Groups will watch each other’s videos and vote on the product that they think is the best way for astronauts to combat boredom and loneliness.

a. This can be done by offering an online form for student groups to fill out.