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SCIENCE READING ARTICLES
NOTE: I have provided the article with and without questions. Included is
also options for optimized single-sided or double-sided printing. Choose
which one you prefer.

• For Single-Sided Article Printing with Questions Print pages #4 & 5

• For Single-Sided Article Printing without Questions Print pages #4 & 6

• For Double-Sided Article Printing with Questions Print pages #4 & 7

• For Double-Sided Article Printing without Questions Print pages #4 & 8

• Suggestions for Implementation are on Page # 3

• Answer Key is on Page # 9

The Articles: I love using articles to help support classroom resources,

however, it is often a challenge to find good articles that engage students
as well as ones written in a language that they can understand. Online
sources are sometimes risky because the links to them may fail in the
future. Formatting online articles to print is also sometimes a challenge and
can waste a lot of paper. Text books usually have case studies that are too
short to be useful.

Due to these types of frustrations, I have written a collection of engaging

science reading articles to help make no-prep articles ready at your
disposal. They are also great for sub plans. Please enjoy!

© Tangstar Science
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Science Classroom Uses

All Grades:
1) Sub plan – no prep printable; easy to assign and collect.
2) In school suspension plan – have something ready for these difficult
days
3) Independent work for early finishers – always have a set of printable
articles with questions handy.
4) No prep extra credit assignment – easy to assign and mark.
5) Warm up at the beginning of class – start your day with science
literacy
6) Assign at the beginning of the week and take up at the end of the
week – get a reading routine going.
7) Assign as homework and take up next day.

Younger Grades: (Gr. 7-10)

1) Read along with the class or with student volunteer readers. Give
time for students to work on answers individually or in small groups.
Take up answers after. (30-45 minutes)

Older Grades: (Gr. 11 & 12)

1) Individual warmup work at the beginning of the class. Take up
answers at the end of the warm up period or at the end of class. (15-25
minutes in class)
2) Individual warmup work at the beginning of the class. Assign
questions for homework and take up the next morning. (10-15 minutes in
class)

ELA Classroom Uses

Use the article as a non-fiction informational text for close reading.
Questions have been provided but you can choose to include your own
reflection questions for more in-depth analysis. © Tangstar Science
  astronomy  anatomy and physiology

LIVING IN SPACE HARMS YOUR BODY 43

(1) Have you ever dreamed of being an
astronaut, or are you interested in the topic of
space exploration and travel? Very few people
have ever travelled into space and those who
have are usually possessed with an immense
curiosity for the unknown. We understand so
little about space, but one thing we are
beginning to grasp is that a prolonged time
spent in space is actually quite harmful to the

Science Literacy Warm Up

human body. Unless we figure out how to stop
this damage, any thoughts of human prolonged
space travel are not possible.
responsibility of supporting your body against
(2) One major cause of concern is the loss of gravity. In space, the back and leg muscles are
bone mass in the absence of gravity. Bones especially affected and start to atrophy
have been designed to provide us with the extremely quickly. Without proper daily
support needed to counteract the force of exercise, an astronaut loses up to 20% of their
gravity pulling down on our bodies when we’re muscle mass in just 5 to 11 days! After a long
on Earth. On Earth our bone tissue is being stay in space, astronauts returning to Earth
broken down by cells called osteoclasts but from the International Space Station cannot
cells called osteoblasts function to regenerate immediately stand. They need to go through
the bone tissue so that overall bone density medical monitoring and physiotherapy to
remains constant in a healthy adult. When regain their strength to first sit and then stand
gravity is eliminated or lessoned, bones have a up. The longer an astronaut spends in space,
much lower load applied to them so they have the longer the rehabilitation needed when they
no need to be as strong or dense. This causes return. This is the part of being an astronaut
osteoclast activity to increase which decreases that is not so much fun or glamorous.
bone tissue and it inhibits osteoblast activity
which prevents bone regeneration. In space, (5) To slow down muscle atrophy, the
bone tissue is lost at a rate of 1%-1.5% a month International Space Station is equipped with
with the most dramatic losses seen in the machines that aid in retaining muscle strength
vertebrae, hips and femur which are the and mass. One machine is called the aRED
primary bones that hold up most of the body’s which stands for Advanced Resistive Exercise
weight on Earth. Device. They also have a treadmill onto which
astronauts strap themselves down using
(3) This type of bone loss is called spaceflight bungee cords, as well as a stationary bicycle for
osteopenia and it leaves bones brittle and easy exercise. Astronauts have to exercise at least 2
to break during a fall. A six month stay in space hours a day to prevent the worst cases of
will remove almost 10% of a person’s bone muscle atrophy though it doesn’t help with the
mass. This might not seem like a lot, but it will bone loss. Luckily the effects of bone and
take at least 3-4 years back on Earth and muscle loss are reversible when astronauts
rehabilitation to regain this lost bone. Any trip return to Earth and are given enough time, and
from Earth to Mars will take 6 months of space the proper diet and exercise.
travel and 6 months back. It will also involve a
18-20 month stay on the surface of the planet (6) Another issue with weightlessness is that
to wait for the proper planet alignment to the fluids in the body, which comprise 60% of
enable the return flight to Earth. Mars also the body, get redistributed. On Earth, fluid is
only has 1/3 of the gravity of Earth, so bone mostly in the lower body, but in space, the
can’t be regenerated properly while on Mars. fluid moves toward the upper body. As well, a
lot of the water found in the blood begins to
(4) Another negative impact of space travel on move out into the tissues which has many
the body is muscle atrophy (shrinkage). Similar negative side effects.
to bones, many of your muscles have the © Tangstar Science
  astronomy  anatomy and physiology

LIVING IN SPACE HARMS YOUR BODY 43

(7) The water loss decreases blood volume by optic nerve. This is of huge concern to space
about 20%. This means that there is less blood agencies as the vision damage is hard to
for the heart to pump and this causes the heart reverse. Even if we find solutions to bone loss
muscle to atrophy. Once astronauts return to and muscle atrophy, there will be no use
Earth, their hearts are weaker and sometimes sending astronauts on long space missions to
are unable to pump enough blood to the brain, Mars, or anywhere else, if they become blind
so astronauts are prone to fainting. As well, in the process.
fluid in the upper body causes it to build up in
the face causing the face to become very puffy (8) These are just some of the major problems

Science Literacy Warm Up

and giving astronauts a look that is termed caused by living in space. Other problems
“moon face”. The fluid in the head also causes include a disruption to your sense of balance,
sinus and nasal congestion that give astronauts immune system depression, sleep disturbance,
the symptoms of a head cold that can last the loss of taste and smell and the last one is
entire span of the mission. The increased fluid especially disturbing…excessive flatulence
pressure in the head also exerts a lot of (farting)! This is especially horrible when living
pressure on the back of the eyeballs. This in a small and crowded space vessel without a
affects their shape and causes damage to the window to crack open.
optic

Article Questions
1) What do osteoclasts and osteoblasts do?

2) What is spaceflight osteopenia and what causes it?

3) How does 6 months spent in the International Space Station affect an astronaut’s bones?

4) Why do muscles atrophy in space, how quickly does this happen and what can be done to slow
this down?

5) In 2006, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, an astronaut who returned from a 12 day space mission,
fainted twice during a welcome home ceremony. Explain what caused this to happen.

6) Describe the vision problems that can be caused by prolonged space missions.

© Tangstar Science
  astronomy  anatomy and physiology

LIVING IN SPACE HARMS YOUR BODY 43

(7) The water loss decreases blood volume by optic nerve. This is of huge concern to space
about 20%. This means that there is less blood agencies as the vision damage is hard to
for the heart to pump and this causes the heart reverse. Even if we find solutions to bone loss
muscle to atrophy. Once astronauts return to and muscle atrophy, there will be no use
Earth, their hearts are weaker and sometimes sending astronauts on long space missions to
are unable to pump enough blood to the brain, Mars, or anywhere else, if they become blind
so astronauts are prone to fainting. As well, in the process.
fluid in the upper body causes it to build up in
the face causing the face to become very puffy (8) These are just some of the major problems

Science Literacy Warm Up

and giving astronauts a look that is termed caused by living in space. Other problems
“moon face”. The fluid in the head also causes include a disruption to your sense of balance,
sinus and nasal congestion that give astronauts immune system depression, sleep disturbance,
the symptoms of a head cold that can last the loss of taste and smell and the last one is
entire span of the mission. The increased fluid especially disturbing…excessive flatulence
pressure in the head also exerts a lot of (farting)! This is especially horrible when living
pressure on the back of the eyeballs. This in a small and crowded space vessel without a
affects their shape and causes damage to the window to crack open.
optic

© Tangstar Science
  astronomy  anatomy and physiology

LIVING IN SPACE HARMS YOUR BODY 43

(7) The water loss decreases blood volume by optic nerve. This is of huge concern to space
about 20%. This means that there is less blood agencies as the vision damage is hard to
for the heart to pump and this causes the heart reverse. Even if we find solutions to bone loss
muscle to atrophy. Once astronauts return to and muscle atrophy, there will be no use
Earth, their hearts are weaker and sometimes sending astronauts on long space missions to
are unable to pump enough blood to the brain, Mars, or anywhere else, if they become blind
so astronauts are prone to fainting. As well, in the process.
fluid in the upper body causes it to build up in
the face causing the face to become very puffy (8) These are just some of the major problems

Science Literacy Warm Up

and giving astronauts a look that is termed caused by living in space. Other problems
“moon face”. The fluid in the head also causes include a disruption to your sense of balance,
sinus and nasal congestion that give astronauts immune system depression, sleep disturbance,
the symptoms of a head cold that can last the loss of taste and smell and the last one is
entire span of the mission. The increased fluid especially disturbing…excessive flatulence
pressure in the head also exerts a lot of (farting)! This is especially horrible when living
pressure on the back of the eyeballs. This in a small and crowded space vessel without a
affects their shape and causes damage to the window to crack open.
optic

Article Questions
1) What do osteoclasts and osteoblasts do?

2) What is spaceflight osteopenia and what causes it?

3) How does 6 months spent in the International Space Station affect an astronaut’s bones?

4) Why do muscles atrophy in space, how quickly does this happen and what can be done to slow
this down?

5) In 2006, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, an astronaut who returned from a 12 day space mission,
fainted twice during a welcome home ceremony. Explain what caused this to happen.

6) Describe the vision problems that can be caused by prolonged space missions.

© Tangstar Science
  astronomy  anatomy and physiology

LIVING IN SPACE HARMS YOUR BODY 43

(7) The water loss decreases blood volume by optic nerve. This is of huge concern to space
about 20%. This means that there is less blood agencies as the vision damage is hard to
for the heart to pump and this causes the heart reverse. Even if we find solutions to bone loss
muscle to atrophy. Once astronauts return to and muscle atrophy, there will be no use
Earth, their hearts are weaker and sometimes sending astronauts on long space missions to
are unable to pump enough blood to the brain, Mars, or anywhere else, if they become blind
so astronauts are prone to fainting. As well, in the process.
fluid in the upper body causes it to build up in
the face causing the face to become very puffy (8) These are just some of the major problems

Science Literacy Warm Up

and giving astronauts a look that is termed caused by living in space. Other problems
“moon face”. The fluid in the head also causes include a disruption to your sense of balance,
sinus and nasal congestion that give astronauts immune system depression, sleep disturbance,
the symptoms of a head cold that can last the loss of taste and smell and the last one is
entire span of the mission. The increased fluid especially disturbing…excessive flatulence
pressure in the head also exerts a lot of (farting)! This is especially horrible when living
pressure on the back of the eyeballs. This in a small and crowded space vessel without a
affects their shape and causes damage to the window to crack open.
optic

© Tangstar Science
  astronomy  anatomy and physiology

LIVING IN SPACE HARMS YOUR BODY 43

(7) The water loss decreases blood volume by optic nerve. This is of huge concern to space
about 20%. This means that there is less blood agencies as the vision damage is hard to
for the heart to pump and this causes the heart reverse. Even if we find solutions to bone loss
muscle to atrophy. Once astronauts return to and muscle atrophy, there will be no use
Earth, their hearts are weaker and sometimes sending astronauts on long space missions to
are unable to pump enough blood to the brain, Mars, or anywhere else, if they become blind
so astronauts are prone to fainting. As well, in the process.
fluid in the upper body causes it to build up in
the face causing the face to become very puffy (8) These are just some of the major problems

Science Literacy Warm Up

and giving astronauts a look that is termed caused by living in space. Other problems
“moon face”. The fluid in the head also causes include a disruption to your sense of balance,
sinus and nasal congestion that give astronauts immune system depression, sleep disturbance,
the symptoms of a head cold that can last the loss of taste and smell and the last one is
entire span of the mission. The increased fluid especially disturbing…excessive flatulence
pressure in the head also exerts a lot of (farting)! This is especially horrible when living
pressure on the back of the eyeballs. This in a small and crowded space vessel without a
affects their shape and causes damage to the window to crack open.
optic

Article Questions
1) What do osteoclasts and osteoblasts do?
Osteoclasts are cells that break down bone tissue and osteoblasts are cells that
regenerate bone tissue. Both work in harmony to keep bone mass constant on Earth. (2)
2) What is spaceflight osteopenia and what causes it?
Spaceflight osteopenia is the loss of bone mass during weightlessness. It is caused by the
lack of gravity that promotes osteoclast activity and inhibits osteoblast activity. (2 & 3)
3) How does 6 months spent in the International Space Station affect an astronaut’s bones?
After 6 months in space, up to 10% of a person’s bone mass can be lost, most of it in the
vertebrae, pelvis and femur bones that support the body’s weight on Earth. (3)
4) Why do muscles atrophy in space, how quickly does this happen and what can be done to slow
this down?
Muscles atrophy because of the absence of gravity. Without gravity, there is less need
for back and leg muscles to hold up the body so the muscles shrink in size. 20% muscle
loss can happen after 5-11 days if exercise is not used to slow this down. A minimum of 2
hours of daily exercise is required. (4 & 5)

5) In 2006, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, an astronaut who returned from a 12 day space mission,
fainted twice during a welcome home ceremony. Explain what caused this to happen.
During her space mission, she lost 20% of her blood volume due to water redistribution
during weightlessness. This caused her heart muscle to atrophy and weaken. When back
on Earth her blood volume immediately increased by 20% but her weakened heart was
not strong enough to pump the blood throughout her body quickly. This deprived her
brain of oxygen and caused her to faint. (6 & 7)

6) Describe the vision problems that can be caused by prolonged space missions.
The increased fluid build up in the head causes pressure on the back of the eyeballs
which can flatten the eyeball as well as damage the optic nerve leading to harm that is
difficult to reverse. (7) © Tangstar Science
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