John McFall, a former Paralympian, is working with the European Space Agency (ESA) on a cool study to see if people with physical disabilities can live and work in space. As part of his training, McFall recently did a test in a big machine that spins around really fast to copy the forces you feel when a rocket takes off and comes back to Earth. The test went well, and McFall's missing leg didn't cause any big problems. This study wants to find out if we need to change anything about spaceships, spacesuits, or prosthetic limbs to make space travel safe for people with disabilities.

McFall, who lost part of his right leg in a motorcycle accident, is now checking his special running blade that he uses for exercise. He also tried out a special treadmill that makes you feel like you're floating in space, just like on the International Space Station (ISS). McFall noticed that his blade didn't work as well when he was lighter, so he thinks he needs a more flexible one. He also found out that his computerized prosthetic leg needs to be adjusted when he's in a spaceship. He might need different prosthetic legs for different things he does on the ISS.

This project with McFall is the first time any space agency has thought about having people with disabilities as astronauts. But the head of the European Astronaut Centre, Frank De Winne, thinks that people like McFall have special skills that can be used for space missions. McFall's family has moved to Germany to support him during the study.

McFall is halfway through the project and hasn't faced any problems that would stop him from going to space. He wants his journey to show people that individuals with disabilities can do amazing things and inspire others to follow their dreams. Most importantly, McFall wants to be known as John, an astronaut who happens to have a physical disability.

Original news source: The man on a mission to open up space to disability (BBC)

– News Summary
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– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the students to form pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to discuss and share their opinions on the topic of people with disabilities living and working in space. Then, have each group create a set of questions for an opinion poll. Each group should ask their questions to different students in the class, recording their answers. Finally, have the groups share their findings with the class and discuss the different opinions.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask one student from each pair to describe a specific scene or concept from the article while the other student sketches it. Afterward, have the pairs switch roles and repeat the activity. Finally, have the students share their sketches and discuss the different interpretations.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into teams. Each team takes turns choosing a word from the list and drawing it on the board without using any letters or numbers. The other teams must guess the word within a certain time limit. After each round, discuss the meanings of the words and their relevance to the article.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to form pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to discuss and make predictions about the future of space travel for people with disabilities. They should consider the advancements in technology, changes in society, and any potential challenges or opportunities. Afterward, have each group share their predictions with the class and engage in a discussion about the possibilities.

John McFall, a former Paralympian, is working with the European ? Agency (ESA) on a cool ? to see if people with physical disabilities can live and work in space. As part of his training, McFall recently did a test in a big machine that spins around really fast to copy the forces you feel when a rocket ? off and comes back to Earth. The test went well, and McFall's ? leg didn't cause any big problems. This study wants to find out if we need to change anything about spaceships, ?, or prosthetic limbs to make space ? safe for people with disabilities. McFall, who lost part of his right leg in a motorcycle accident, is now checking his ? running ? that he uses for exercise. He also tried out a special treadmill that makes you feel like you're floating in space, just like on the International Space Station (ISS). McFall noticed that his blade didn't work as well when he was lighter, so he thinks he needs a more flexible one. He also found out that his computerized prosthetic leg needs to be ? when he's in a ?. He might need different prosthetic legs for different things he does on the ISS. This project with McFall is the first time any space agency has thought about having people with disabilities as astronauts. But the head of the European Astronaut Centre, ? De ?, thinks that people like McFall have special skills that can be used for space missions. McFall's family has moved to Germany to support him during the study. McFall is halfway through the project and hasn't faced any problems that would stop him from going to space. He ? his journey to show people that individuals with disabilities can do amazing things and inspire others to follow their dreams. Most importantly, McFall wants to be known as John, an ? who ? to have a ? disability.

1. What is a Paralympian?
2. How would you feel if you were spinning around really fast like in a rocket?
3. Do you think people with physical disabilities can live and work in space? Why or why not?
4. What do you think might need to be changed about spaceships, spacesuits, or prosthetic limbs to make space travel safe for people with disabilities?
5. How do you think a special running blade could help someone with a physical disability exercise in space?
6. Do you like the idea of floating in space on a special treadmill? Why or why not?
7. What do you think it means to have "special skills" that can be used for space missions?
8. How would you feel if your family moved to another country to support you during a study or project?
9. Do you think it's important for people with disabilities to be represented in different fields, like space exploration? Why or why not?
10. How do you think John McFall's journey can inspire others to follow their dreams?
11. What are some amazing things that individuals with disabilities can do?
12. How would you feel if you were known for your achievements and not just for your disability?
13. What other fields or industries do you think should consider including people with disabilities?
14. How do you think having people with disabilities as astronauts can benefit space exploration?
15. Do you think it's important for society to see individuals with disabilities as capable and accomplished? Why or why not?

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