SAMPLE ANSWERS

Air Quality at Home

• What type of stove or heating device do you use in your home?
  • We use a gas stove for cooking and an electric heater in winter.
  • We have an electric stove and use a wood-burning fireplace for heat.
• Do you use any type of fuel for cooking or heating? If so, what type?
  • Yes, we use natural gas for the stove.
  • We use wood in the fireplace but no fuel for cooking.
• Does your stove or heating use oxygen from the air in your home?
  • I think the gas stove does because it needs oxygen to burn.
  • Yes, the fireplace uses oxygen to keep the fire going.
• What are the waste gases produced by your stove at home?
  • Probably carbon dioxide and maybe a little carbon monoxide if the flame isn’t burning properly.
  • Mostly smoke and maybe some carbon dioxide from the wood fire.
• Do you have any ventilation, like an open window, to help let fresh air in while cooking?
  • Yes, we always open the kitchen window when cooking.
  • We open a window near the fireplace so it doesn’t get too smoky.
• Have you noticed any issues with the air quality inside your home when cooking or heating?
  • Sometimes it smells a bit smoky, but it’s okay if we use the exhaust fan.
  • Sometimes the fireplace makes the room smell like smoke, and it feels stuffy.

Breathing in Space

• How do astronauts breathe on the Moon where there is no air?
  • They carry oxygen tanks in their spacesuits.
  • They use oxygen from tanks inside their spacesuits.
• What is a spacesuit, and why is it important for astronauts?
  • It’s like a mini spaceship they wear that protects them from no air, extreme temperatures, and radiation.
  • It’s special clothing that keeps them alive by providing oxygen and protecting them from space conditions.
• Why can’t people survive outside on the Moon without special equipment?
  • There’s no oxygen or air pressure, and it’s too cold.
  • There’s no air or oxygen, and the temperatures are too extreme.
• What would happen if an astronaut’s spacesuit got damaged while outside the spaceship?
  • Air would leak out, and they wouldn’t be able to breathe. They’d have to fix it fast.
  • They could lose air and need to fix it quickly to survive.
• What do you think it would feel like to wear a spacesuit every time you went outside?
  • It would be exciting but also heavy and uncomfortable after a while.
  • It would feel like carrying a lot of weight, but also like being a real explorer.
• Imagine designing a new type of spacesuit. What special features would it have?
  • Mine would be lightweight, have built-in heaters, and let you jump higher.
  • Mine would have jet boosters to fly around and a touchscreen to control everything.
• Have you ever worn something heavy or uncomfortable for safety, like a helmet or special shoes? How did it feel?
  • I wore a helmet while biking, and it felt hot and itchy, but I knew it was important.
  • I wore ski boots once. They were so heavy that I kept falling over.
• Would you like to explore the Moon or Mars? Why or why not?
  • Yes! It would be amazing to see new places and float around in zero gravity.
  • Maybe. It sounds exciting, but I’d miss being able to go outside easily.
• What do you think you’d miss most about Earth if you lived in space?
  • I’d miss the fresh air and green trees.
  • I’d miss playing outside with my friends and seeing flowers and grass.

Oxygen

• What would happen to the air if all plants disappeared from Earth?
  • There would be less oxygen, and we might not be able to breathe properly.
  • The oxygen would slowly run out, and we wouldn’t be able to survive.
• What do you think Earth would look like today without oxygen?
  • It would look empty and dead, like the Moon, with no animals, plants, or people.
  • It would be dark and lifeless, with no people, animals, or plants,just empty land.