(
Students from central Indiana, will get an amazing opportunity to have a special conversation that is out-of-this world as they speak with real NASA astronauts living aboard the International Space Station. The 20-minute, Earth-to-space call will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website at 12:15 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018.
Expedition 54 astronauts Mark Vande Hei of NASA and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will talk to approximately 300 students and 30 teachers gathered at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The students and teachers have been preparing for the event by studying the space station, astronaut biographies, and current research and activities aboard the space station. The discussion will include topics about life aboard the space station, NASA’s deep space exploration plans, and scientific research in space.
This in-flight education downlink will take place at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and is an integral component of NASA’s Year of Education on Station, which provides extensive space station-related resources and opportunities to students and educators. Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station provides unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning, performance and interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The students will also have the opportunity to visit Beyond Spaceship Earth during their visit to the world’s largest children’s museum. The immersive exhibit tells the dynamic story of space exploration from NASA’s Project Mercury program, which sent the first Americans into space, to the International Space Station (ISS).
“We are excited to inspire future scientists and explorers with a visit to the world’s largest children’s museum as they get to explore our space exhibits and take part in the live call to the International Space Station,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “The museum’s interactive exhibits explore what it’s really like to live, work, and play in space and students will be able to see hands-on examples that demonstrate life and work on the Space Station.”
Beyond Spaceship Earth features three components: a recreation of portions of the inside of the International Space Station (ISS); a one-of-a-kind, immersive space object experience called the Schaefer Planetarium & Space Object Theater; and an Astronaut Wall of Fame, which pays tribute to more than 30 astronauts with ties to Indiana, including our very own Extraordinary Scientist-in-Residence Dr. David Wolf.
This is not a public event. Media wishing to attend and cover the event should RSVP to Leslie Olsen or Kimberly Harms (contact information below). This event was prearranged to accommodate invited school groups and is a closed event to the public.
Follow the astronauts on social media:
https://www.twitter.com/NASA_astronauts/
See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at:
https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation/
