Tharp students had a chance to show off their creative thinking by designing something to improve the health and well-being of astronauts while in space. Their focus was either on redesigning the living quarters for astronauts, improving the quality of food they eat, or creating a fitness routine or piece of equipment astronauts could use to prevent bone loss.
These students learned about what life is like for astronauts aboard the International Space Station. After doing their own research and interviewing Dr. Marshall Potterfield, an engineering professor from Purdue University and NASA researcher, students identified ways they felt they could solve some of the problems astronauts face. Working in teams, students designed prototypes and presented their designs to Dr. Potterfield, who was excited to see what they had created.
