 A Flory student asks his question of Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, while classmates await their turn at the microphone. The graphic on the screen is tracking the position of the ISS relative to Earth. [Tom Stough, W0UFC, Photo] |
 Two Flory students hold a handcrafted model of the ISS. Other space-relate projects line the stage behind them. [Spencer Smith, N6IWY, Photo] |
NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 13, 2005--Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology in Moorpark, California, was a beehive of activity and excitement even before a dozen third, fourth and fifth graders got to speak via ham radio April 8 with the International Space Station. Flory science teacher Pat Bachamp says everyone pitched in beforehand to help make the QSO a memorable educational experience, and more than 700 turned out at the school to witness the event.
"All of our students have been quite busy planning for this event," Bachamp noted with just about two minutes to go until the ISS came into radio range of ground station NN1SS in Greenbelt, Maryland. "Right now, I can look out and see some students wearing NASA flight gear, students holding up models they've made of shuttles and rockets--there's even a model of the space station, all silvery and shiny." Right beneath where she was standing, she said, was a huge banner reading "Beam us up, NASA!" Other activities included space news, humor and even poetry broadcast on the school's low-power FM station, KFLR.
Among other things, youngsters at the K-5 magnet school had developed "advertisements" for each of the planets in the solar system, inviting people to take a tour. Decorating each classroom door were space-related banners the pupils had made. Blue patches bearing the NASA logo were ubiquitous.
Already in the queue for an Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) school group QSO, Flory--a NASA Explorer School--was added to the schedule at the eleventh hour after Expedition 10
Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, told NASA how much he enjoyed speaking with
schoolchildren from NA1SS. Chiao requested upping the number of scheduled school
group QSOs from one to two per week during his last two available weeks in
space. Chiao and his crewmate Salizhan Sharipov are scheduled to return to
Earth later this month.
 Another students poses her question for Commander Chiao. [Tom Stough, W0UFC, Photo] |
 Flory pupils look on in rapt attention and TV cameras tape during the approximately 10-minute ham radio contact with the ISS. [Tom Stough, W0UFC, Photo] |
Responding to one youngster's question, "Why do we want to
explore space, and why not leave some mysteries stay mysteries?" Chiao said
it's human nature to be curious.
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"And so we always want to know what's on the other side of that mountain, and that's what drives us, that's what sets us apart as a species," Chiao said. "We can explore space, and I don't think we'll ever fully understand it, so I don't think we'll have any problem still having some mysteries."
Replying to other questions, Chiao said that although his and Sharipov's duty tour is winding down, the crew is still involved in some scientific research aboard the ISS, including a telemedicine experiment. The ISS crew has been using an ultrasound device in space as part of an effort to enable physicians on Earth to diagnose health problems that might arise during long-term space ventures. Chiao also has been serving as NASA ISS Science Officer during Expedition 10. In all, the youngsters managed to get in 15 questions before the ISS went out of range of NN1SS.
Handling ground station duties at NN1SS was Dave Taylor, W8AAS, while ARISS Program Manager Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, moderated the event. The contact was arranged by ARISS with assistance at the school from Ota Lutz, KD5UQZ, of NASA's Aerospace Education Services Program, Flory Principal Pam Hill and Bachamp.
"I've worked on many, many projects and programs in this district over all these years, and this is the first time I've ever seen our entire district come together so efficiently and with so much generosity of spirit," Bachamp said. "It is and has been an enlightening experience." Hill described the event as "very exciting."
Providing onsite engineering and other assistance were members of the Conejo Valley Amateur Radio Club, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Society and the Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club. MCI donated a teleconferencing link to provide two-way audio between NN1SS and the school.
The Flory ARISS school group contact attracted media attention from at least three TV stations and two newspapers from the Los Angeles area.
ARISS is an
international educational outreach, with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and
NASA.
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