Teaching From Space:
Spaced Out Sports Design Challenge
2012 Contest Winners
Winners of the 2012 Spaced Out Sports Design Challenge are:
- First Place: Pierremont Elementary MOSAICS Academy of Manchester, Missouri, and their game "Starfield"
- Second Place: East Brook Middle School of Paramus, New Jersey, and their game "Outstanding Obstacles"
- Third Place: Tyngsborough Middle School of Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, and their game "Learning Takes You Around the World"
Addition information about the 2012 winners and their games will be posted here soon.
2011 Winning Game Videos -- on Earth and on the ISS
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to play the video. + Download a captioned version of this video (mp4 - 70mb)
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+ Download a non-captioned version of this video (mp4 - 70mb)
To download one of the above videos, right-click the link (option-click on Mac) and select "Save Link As..")
The 2012 Spaced Out Sports Challenge
“Spaced Out Sports” is a national student design challenge geared toward grades 5-8. The purpose is for students to apply Newton's Laws of Motion by designing or redesigning a game for International Space Station (ISS) astronauts to play in space. As students design a new sport, they will learn about Newton's Laws of Motion and the effect of gravity on an object. They will learn to predict the difference between a game or activity played on Earth and in the microgravity environment of the ISS.
Student teams will submit game demonstrations via a playbook and a video. Submissions will be accepted from schools, home school groups, after-school or enrichment programs. Student teams must consist of a minimum of three (3) and maximum of fifteen (15) players. NASA will only accept one (1) entry per school or group. If multiple classes or groups want to participate in the challenge, the school and/or organization can hold an in-house competition and/or selection process to determine the top game to submit to NASA Stennis Space Center.
“Spaced Out Sports” winning teams will be selected nationally by NASA Stennis Space Center's Education Office.
Awards:
- The first (1st) place team will be awarded a NASA school-wide or program-wide celebration. The NASA school/program-wide celebration will only be awarded to teams located in the United States.
- The top three (3) teams' games will be played on the ISS and recorded for a future broadcast. The date and the time of the broadcast will be determined later. Game demonstrations will be modified to meet ISS requirements.
- All contributing schools and programs will participate in a Digital Learning Network (DLN) webcast with ISS NASA astronauts. The date and time of the webcast will be determined later.
Educational Resources, References and Links
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What is the ISS?Go to the "Interactive Space Station Reference Guide" under "Interactive Features" on the right-hand side of the page.
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Downloadable VideosNASA Do It Yourself (DIY) Podcast: Sports Demo provides an explanation of Newton’s Laws and the effects of microgravity on sports. See "Sports Demo Resources" on the right-hand side of the page.
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NASA SpinoffsLearn how NASA’ research and development - and use of technology - has been incorporated into commercialized products that benefit the public.
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Career VideosNASA scientists and engineers explain how Newton’s Laws are used in their work in the space program. Celebrity Sports Figures demonstrate the "Science Behind their Game."
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Curriculum Guide ActivitiesThe "Spaced Out Sports" educator guide is a composite of NASA activities and resources on Newton's Laws of Motion, and include sports connections that tie the activity to a game.
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Poster and BookmarkThe "Spaced Out Sports" poster and bookmark portray space and sports connections on side 1; and "Spaced Out Sports" activity guide information on side 2.
