A Resource Unit on Space Biology for Secondary Schools

With the rapid advancement of space technology in the past decade, it is apparent that the occupation of space I by man wiU soon become a reality. The artificial satellites that today circle the earth and sun, and the manned orbital spaceflights give witness to this statement. Thehostile environment of outer space, previously thought to be invul­nerable,has been partially conquered by man. Identifying the problems and developing equipment and techniques which have allowed man to function in this environment has been the responsibility of space scientists. Of particular significance in the conquest of space have been the contri­ butions made by the Space Biologist. The functions of these scientists are to assure the relative safety of the space traveler and provide the means for survival and carrying on of vital metabolic activities in outer space. I. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The purpose of this study was to develop and present a resource unit on Space Biology that may be used by general science and biology teachers of secondary schools• Recently^ ilimited information regarding this important phase of biology 1I has appeared in general science and biology textbooks* An evaluation, by the writer, of these textbooks indicated that only two of the six biology textbooks examined presented sufficient material to give the secondary student an adequate background in this important phase of modem biology. The need for a resource unit to aid teachers and students beeame obvious