Teacher resources

What is Tomatosphere?

Tomatosphere is an educational outreach project that reaches over 11,000 classrooms across Canada and the United States. It is estimated that by the end of 2010, there will be 13 000 classes involved. In 2010, teachers of students in grades 2-10 will receive two packages of Heinz tomato seeds, with 30 seeds in each package, labeled "B" and "T" (our little way of saying thanks to CSA Astronaut, Dr. Bob Thirsk). One package of seeds is the control group - Heinz 9478 F1 seeds; The second set of seeds - also Heinz H9478 - has been exposed to a flight from Earth to the International Space Station, storage at the ISS, and a return flight on a USA shuttle. The seeds were taken to the ISS by CSA astronaut, Julie Payette, and the seeds remained on board for approximately two months. They were exposed to the pressures of a launch and re-entry, and the micro-gravity experienced on board the International Space Station.

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Robert Thirsk celebrates 25 years of Canadian spaceflight in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. Suspended in the foreground is a photo of the first team of Canadian astronauts, circa 1983. Back row, from left to right: Ken Money, Marc Garneau, Steve MacLean and Bjarni Tryggvason. Front row, left to right: Robert Thirsk and Roberta Bondar.

Purpose

Tomatosphere has a dual-purpose: to educate and inspire young students and to open the door for extended space exploration, eventually leading to Mars.

The students' findings will address the question of how we supply space exploration missions with life support requirements - food, water, oxygen and the need to consume carbon dioxide exhaled by the members of the crew. Currently, space-mission vehicles are able to carry just enough of these requirements to service the crew for short missions. Stays at the International Space Station are refreshed on a regular visit by supplies from Earth such as the Russian Progress and Soyuz flights and US flights. However, the trip to Mars, the closest planet to Earth, qualifies as "long term space travel" as it may take in excess of two years.

In our quest to travel deeper into space for extended periods, we need to find ways to expand life support provisions in the limited room available in space vehicles. A plant-based life support system may provide part of the solution. Through photosynthesis, plants use light energy to consume carbon dioxide exhaled by humans and return oxygen to the air that is needed for survival. One of the most popular and valuable plants for space applications is the tomato. Tomatoes provide wholesome nourishment and purified water through transpiration from their leaves.

Seeds in space

By sending tomato seeds on a shuttle mission, exposing them to conditions which may reflect conditions experienced on a Mars mission, or having them housed at the International Space Station for an extended period of time, researchers can determine if, and how, the seeds are affected by these changes to the environmental conditions. This will help to determine which types of seeds have the highest potential for germination and growth in space. Because space inside the space vehicle is so critical, the number of plants that can be grown and the number of people who can be supported for extended time periods, is limited. When a seed - and the plant that grows from it - is assigned to a space mission, it must germinate successfully and continue to grow healthy, strong and with an abundance of fruit. Seeds that don't germinate, plants that are weak and plants that do not grow properly are not contributing to the mission. Weak plants may also become sick and contaminate the controlled environment system.

Students will compare the rates of germination and may report on the growth and development of the plants from the seeds from the two different conditions. Students will learn how to conduct a scientific experiment and hopefully will be inspired to pursue further education in the areas of science and technology.

Curriculum focus areas

Grades 2-4: Students focus on plants and their growth patterns.

Grades 5-7: The emphasis is on human needs, weather and space.

Grades 8-10: Students will start with the seeds and complete their studies with an application of the benefits of space exploration, research and application to life on Earth.

How will the project proceed?

Students and thier teacher Students will observe the tomatoes during their seedling germination and growth. The scope of the experiment will depend on the teacher; there are extension ideas that involve many aspects related to plants, space and space travel, and its application to life on Earth. However, the project focuses on the critical element of rate of germination, and for students in senior grades, observations on plant growth and vigour. All results will be sent electronically to the Tomatosphere website (submit results component). The collective results will be shared with other participants involved in the project.

During the summer, the Canadian Space Agency offers a teacher conference, usually during the second week of August in Montreal. This conference is an absolutely fantastic professional development opportunity for teachers. The cost is minimal ($25) for the three days. Teachers must cover this cost plus transportation, accommodation and meals. Even so, it is a GREAT bargain.

Teachers bring home many student related activities as well as being motivated by a wonderful team of individuals including our Canadian astronauts. Watch for details about the 2010 conference.