Former NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman on the Joys and Challenges of Life in Space
Ask students: Where do most astronauts like to sleep? How did spending time in space change Coleman’s view or vision of life on Earth?
Fewer than 300 human beings have visited the International Space Station, and an even smaller number have spent more than 150 days living there. John Yang speaks with Cady Coleman, one of those select few astronauts, about her new book, "Sharing Space: An Astronaut's Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change."
View the transcript of the story.
Discussion Questions
- Who is Cady Coleman?
- What instrument does Coleman play?
- Where do most astronauts like to sleep?
- How did spending time in space change Coleman’s view or vision of life on Earth?
- Why does Yang describe the system as not designed for women?
Focus Questions
Coleman says that the limitations of spacesuit sizes "helps people understand that sometimes there are less tangible things where you walk in a room and people are surprised to see you or they're surprised by your lifestyle, or by the way you communicate."
What do you think she means by the "less tangible things"? Do you think similar "less tangible things" may limit women's opportunities in other workplaces? Can you think of examples?
Media literacy: What did you enjoy about learning about Coleman's joys and challenges as an astronaut? What else would you want to learn about the experience of being an astronaut and in space?
Extension Activity
- Space has occupied our imagination and curiosity for centuries. Coleman says that seeing Earth from far above made her wish that "people could realize that we're all from the same place." Share with the class: have you read books or watched movies about space? Has that changed how you think about life on Earth?
- Still, human interaction with space can also reflect the harms of the competing interests of national and private agencies. Learn about the potential environmental damages of a new space race. How do you think governments should interact with outer space? How can our exploration in space connect with issues on Earth, such as climate change, militarism or economic disparities?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of NewsHour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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