Calculations & Planning: 45-50 minutes
Physical Layout: 120 minutes
Breakdown: 30 minutes
Group Presentations: 30-50 minutes

Students work in teams to

• Convert scale dimensions to determine the actual size of the ISS.
• Lay out a full-scale perimeter outline of the ISS (on a football field, or other large area).
  
  NOTE: See Metric System Conversions (the link can be found off of the Full Scale Activity main page.) The ISS requires both metric and English units.

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION: Apply design processes (model a solution; test, evaluate and refine the design; reevaluate the final solution).

MATHEMATICS: Problem solving and measurement (make decisions about units and scales that are appropriate for problem situations involving measurement).

• Use a video or a NASA Web site to introduce your students to ISS topics. (We have suggested a few in the Links & Resources section of this web site)
  
  
• Set up the activity for students with a discussion of the use of scale in maps, etc. The Diagram included with the activity is a "bottom view" of ISS. You can find a link at the top of the main Full Scale Activity page to view additional diagrams.
  
  
• Introduce or review the engineering problem solving process to help students structure their planning. Frye (1997) has detailed information and examples of sketches and blueprints.
  
  
• Adapt the rubric provided to match the student learning processes and outcomes you wish to emphasize in this activity. Disseminate and discuss the grading criteria with students, including points for teamwork, cooperation, and time on task.
  
  
• You may distribute pre-made Team Tables (included in the Teacher Version PDF) to your students for organizing their diagram measurements and calculations. Note that it may take student teams more than an hour longer to complete the project if they make their own tables, and they may still discover that they are missing measurements needed to complete their team's outside full-scale ISS component layouts.

Students work both individually and in teams to complete the calculations, sketches, planning, and physical layout. They use the Create a Full-Scale Layout of the International Space Station activity as a guideline.

• Space Station Diagrams (Figure 1: International Space Station Layout which is included in the activity description and Additional diagrams if needed)
  
  
• International Space Station Video Progress Report-A Home in Space. Video available from NASA CORE (http://core.nasa.gov) or a NASA ERC. Code # 006.4-10U. July 1999. 7 minutes.
  
  
• Frye, E. (1997). Engineering Problem Solving for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education. Online: http://engineering.dartmouth.edu [accessed July 19, 2000].
  
  
• Additional ISS Diagrams (link found at the top of the Full Scale Activity main page)
  
  
• Team Tables (included in the Teacher Version PDF)

See rubric (link at the top of this page) or use one you have refined with your students.