Tardigrades

Students take on the role of a astrobiologist whose mission is to learn about extremophiles and the resiliency of tardigrades. After modeling the effects of radiation on tardigrade survival, students investigate the effect of temperature, hydration, or space vacuum on tardigrade survival using the experimental design process. Students will explore the scientific method through experimental design and will learn how to analyze their results to draw conclusions about tardigrade space resiliency and the potential advance of human space exploration.