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WMST PCHS students chat live with International Space Station astronauts
Contact:
Mark Holbrook
WMST Public Charter High School
202-636-8011
mholbrook@wmstpchs.net
DC CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS HONORED WITH RARE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO ASTRONAUTS ABOARD THE SPACE STATION
Live Discussion Hosted by Education Secretary and NASA Administrator
WASHINGTON - November 2, 2009 – Today, students from Washington Mathematics Science Technology (WMST) Public Charter High School got the rare opportunity to participate in a live discussion with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Invited by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, students asked the astronauts a variety of scientific questions about their experiences and research in space.
“This is an opportunity to excite and engage our students to internalize and visualize the infinite potentials and possibilities of future space innovation, research, technologies and innovative techniques; to appreciate the significance of a diverse multicultural, multinational collaboration in space and on planet earth as it relates to improving the quality of life for all people all over the world; and to catapult the interest, imagination, and desire of the future global generation of explorers, researchers and astronauts,” said Dr. Alice Franklin-Rier, chair of the Science Department at WMST.
Students posed questions to NASA astronauts Jeff Williams and Nicole Stott, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, and Russian cosmonauts Roman Romanenko and Maxim Suraev. Crew members from the STS-128 mission Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fuglesang, and former astronaut Don Thomas, a veteran of four spaceflights, also participated.
WMST student Alex Duran queried, “How do advances in the development of the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope provide data that can be utilized in the search for new theories of gravity?” Student Lauren Lincoln observed most astronautic teams to be male dominated and asked, “What is being done by NASA to select more females and to inspire young girls to consider careers in astrophysics and astronautics?”
The downlink is one in 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, a NASA Education office. Teaching From Space promotes learning opportunities and builds partnerships with the education community using the unique environment of human spaceflight.
“To be selected to participate in speaking with members of NASA is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. It was an honor to be able to question them about their journeys and the importance of expanding our understanding of the world around us,” added WMST student Krysten Legion With a 99 percent graduation rate and a 98 percent four-year college acceptance rate, WMST is widely considered one of the top public charter schools in Washington. The school’s rigorous curriculum also includes instruction on flight simulators donated by the Air Force.
NASA Television aired a Video File from the downlink event. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. For information about WMST, visit: http://www.wmstpchs.org. For information about NASA's education programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education. For information about the International Space Station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station.