This Challenge is now complete.

Grades: K-12
Participation: Class or school.  No individual submissions will be permitted.

NASA’s Node 2 is the next U.S pressurized module to be installed on the International Space Station (ISS). When installed, this “utility hub” will increase the living and working space inside the ISS to approximately 18,000 cubic feet.  The Node 2 will allow additional science labs to be attached to the ISS as well as accommodate space vehicles and a robotic arm. It is 23.6 feet long and 14.5 feet in diameter.  This connector may not be much more than the size of your classroom, but it is a very important piece to the soon-to-be completed ISS.  The Node 2 will be launched on the Space Shuttle in 2007 for delivery to the ISS.  But before it can be launched, it needs a name! NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate and Exploring Space Challenges welcome your class or school to participate in Name the ISS Node 2 Challenge.

Your mission is to create a Node 2 model using your classroom or school hallway.  Open to grades K-12, one class or an entire school can be part of the Challenge.   Build your model, name it, write a brief description explaining the chosen name, take some digital pictures and send them in.  Remember, it is all about living and working in space, so keep that in mind when you build your model.  The model won’t be judged, but rather be your ticket to enter a name for the Node 2.  All the name submissions will then be reviewed by a panel of NASA scientists, engineers and educators.  A winning name will be selected in early 2007.

The Name the ISS Node 2 Challenge objectives are for students to (1) understand principles of living and working in space, (2) research the International Space Station, (3) understand how to track the ISS in the sky, (4) apply proportional ratio equations to construct a Node 2 model to scale and (5) create an electronic scrapbook and submit a summary describing the chosen name for the Node 2.

Download the Name the ISS Node 2 Challenge Guide now to get your class started!