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Fitness and nutrition activities

These activities were designed to be done with groups of kids in Grades 6 to 9 in schools and youth organizations as part of the Junior Astronauts campaign.

List of fitness and nutrition activities
Name Stream Difficulty Duration Materials
Space Repairs (Even Astronauts Have Chores!)

The treadmill on the International Space Station is broken! Your crew must work together to fix this critical piece of equipment.

This activity was developed in collaboration with the Personnel Support Programs of the Canadian Forces Welfare Morale Services and reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Fitness and nutrition 1Easy 30 minutes 2Minimal
First Steps: Training for Space

Try this test of physical fitness based on the one used during Canada's 2017 Astronaut Recruitment Campaign. You will need balance, strength and endurance to complete this activity.

This activity was developed in collaboration with the Personnel Support Programs of the Canadian Forces Welfare Morale Services and reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 30-45 minutes 2Minimal
Piloting Practice

Help your team members successfully navigate through a series of instructions to pilot your spacecraft to the correct destination.

This activity was developed in collaboration with the Personnel Support Programs of the Canadian Forces Welfare Morale Services and reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Fitness and nutrition 1Easy 20 minutes 3Moderate
False Alarm

An alarm is sounding on the International Space Station. Luckily, it's a false alarm, but your crew must work to shut it off. It is a physically and mentally demanding task!

This activity was developed in collaboration with the Personnel Support Programs of the Canadian Forces Welfare Morale Services and reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Fitness and nutrition 1Easy 30-35 minutes 3Moderate
These Boots are Made for Spacewalking

This activity can be done in two different ways – on land or in a pool. Learn how astronauts must perform complex mental and physical tasks when they execute a spacewalk.

This activity was developed in collaboration with the Personnel Support Programs of the Canadian Forces Welfare Morale Services and reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 45 minutes 3Moderate
Are You Ready to Rock?

You've landed on the Moon with your crew. Now it's time to collect some rocks for science! Work together to move across the lunar surface and collect samples to bring back to your Moon base.

This activity was developed in collaboration with the Personnel Support Programs of the Canadian Forces Welfare Morale Services and reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 20-25 minutes 3Moderate
Lunar Rescue

One of your crewmembers needs help on the lunar surface. Work together to rescue your crew and return them to safety.

This activity was developed in collaboration with the Personnel Support Programs of the Canadian Forces Welfare Morale Services and reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 25-30 minutes 2Minimal
Journey to the Surface of the Earth

Returning to gravity after a long-duration space mission is physically demanding. You and your crew will perform this fitness test to simulate an astronaut's arrival back on Earth.

This activity was developed in collaboration with the Personnel Support Programs of the Canadian Forces Welfare Morale Services and reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Fitness and nutrition 3Difficult 20-25 minutes 3Moderate
Return and Reconditioning

Once an astronaut returns from space, their job is not done! Astronauts must undergo reconditioning for at least three weeks. Track your exercise, sleep and screen time, and see where you can improve.

This activity was reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 30 minutes of class time + homework 2Minimal
Close Encounters of the Tasty Kind

Let your senses guide you! Evaluate different foods to see if they would qualify to bring on a space mission.

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada, Aurora College and the Saskatchewan Science Centre.

Curriculum alignment: Science (grades 6); Health (grades 6, 8).

Fitness and nutrition 1Easy 60 minutes 3Moderate
Trading Spaces: Living and Eating Off Earth

An introductory lesson to life on the International Space Station. Learn how daily life changes when astronauts live and work in microgravity.

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada and Aurora College.

Curriculum alignment: Science (grades 6, 9); Science (elementary cycle 3 QC).

Fitness and nutrition 1Easy 40 minutes 2Minimal
Soaring in Space with Canada's Food Guide

Use the Canada's Food Guide to plan a meal for astronauts aboard the International Space Station and learn about healthy eating on Earth.

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada and Aurora College.

Curriculum alignment: Science (grades 6); Health (grades 6, 8).

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 70 minutes 3Moderate
Commander's Log: Recording Your Meals

Astronauts must make healthy eating choices aboard the International Space Station, so they track what they eat. Record your meals like an astronaut to discover your eating habits.

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada and Aurora College.

Curriculum alignment: Health (grades 6, 8).

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 15 minutes + homework 2Minimal
ISS Ingredients: Reading Food Labels

Daily values, percentages, nutrition – it's all a part of being a healthy astronaut! Learn how to read food labels and make informed choices as a junior astronaut – and in your daily life too!

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada and Aurora College.

Curriculum alignment: Health (grades 6, 8).

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 65-75 minutes 2Minimal
Healthy Meals in Microgravity

Have you every wondered what types of food are on the International Space Station? Plan a healthy meal for an astronaut using the Canada's Food Guide.

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada and Aurora College.

Curriculum alignment: Health (grades 6, 8).

Fitness and nutrition 1Easy 45 minutes 2Minimal
Keeping Food Safe on Earth and in Space

Learn how to keep food safe during production, processing, distribution and preparation – and why this is important in space too!

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada and Aurora College.

Curriculum alignment: Science (grade 6, 9); Science (secondary cycle 1 QC); Health (grade 9).

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 85 minutes 2Minimal
Space Jam! An Astronaut Lunch

Time to eat like an astronaut! Create a meal from food items commonly used on the International Space Station.

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada, Aurora College and the Big Little Science Centre.

Curriculum alignment: Health (grades 6, 8).

Fitness and nutrition 1Easy 60-70 minutes 3Moderate
O Canada! Food on the International Space Station

Learn about popular foods from all over Canada. Choose a specific dish to send to the International Space Station.

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada and Aurora College.

Curriculum alignment: Geography (grade 8).

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 105 minutes 2Minimal
Interplanetary Farming

Growing crops can be a challenge, especially in space. Learn what types of food would best suit farming on the International Space Station, the Moon, and Mars.

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada and Aurora College.

Curriculum alignment: Science (grade 6).

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 100 minutes 4Substantial
Master Chef: Mars

Create a snack for a mission to Mars. Learn the requirements for food sent on long-duration missions and considerations such as texture, weight, and, of course, taste!

This activity was reviewed by Health Canada and Aurora College.

Curriculum alignment: Science (grade 6); Health (grades 6, 8).

Fitness and nutrition 2Moderate 4.5 hours 3Moderate
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