Designing Astro Socks to protect astronauts’ feet in microgravity

Lesson description

Duration: 5 50-min. periods

Grade: 6-12th, 10-18 years

In space, the astronauts’ feet are like hands. They use them to grip and grasp surfaces to stabilize themselves in microgravity. This often leads to discomfort on the tops of their feet. In this lesson, students study the tasks that astronauts perform while on the International Space Station. They evaluate designs of performance footwear, gather user requirements and study foot anatomy. Then, they design and build a prototype to mitigate the pressure on their feet. By running trials using their sensorized sock, they test the effectiveness of their design in a simulated microgravity environment. Finally, they write and record an advertisement to explain their design.

Materials developed in partnership with the NASA STEM on Station team.

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