Questioning Space — Los Angeles Students Connect with and Query Orbiting Space Station Astronauts
WASHINGTON — Elementary students at Vintage Math, Science and Technology Magnet School in Los Angeles will get to ask questions of astronauts aboard the International Space station while the crew orbits 220 miles above Earth. Station Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineers T.J. Creamer and Soichi Noguchi will speak with the students during a video call from 8:35 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. PST on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
In 2007, Vintage was selected as a NASA Explorer School. Explorer Schools develop and implement three-year action plans to address local challenges in science, technology, and mathematics education. The goal is to bring educators, administrators, students, and families together in sustained involvement with NASA’s education programs.
Students have been preparing for the event by participating in NASA Digital Learning Network events and hosting a NASA Community Night. Students also participated in an “Ask an Astronaut” contest to develop the best questions to ask during the event, presenting their suggestions to a panel of students, scientists and administrators who helped choose the winning questions. Following the event, students will construct a space station model that will be displayed in the auditorium to commemorate the event.
The event is part of a series with educational organizations in the U.S. and abroad to improve teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is an integral component of Teaching From Space Project. The project promotes learning opportunities and builds partnerships with the kindergarten through 12th grade education community using the unique environment of human spaceflight.
NASA Television will air video of Williams, Creamer and Noguchi during the downlink. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
For information about NASA’s education programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education
For information about the space station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station
