EAGLE CORNER: Students interact with astronaut on space mission

By EMILY TRACY, guest columnist

At Brown County Schools we truly believe in creating world class opportunities.

On Aug. 11 our students at Van Buren Elementary School were awarded yet another world class opportunity that is to leave a lasting impact. Our students across all grades at Van Buren were invited to submit questions via video format to be streamed to the astronauts from Expedition 67 aboard the International Space Station.

The NASA Office of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Engagement at Langley Research Center awarded our sweet, rural Blue Ribbon school this opportunity in early summer. Van Bren Elementary Schools was the only elementary school in the state of Indiana to be awarded with opportunity and one of eight schools across the entire United States of America. These events are called “In-flight Education Downlinks” and they include a 20-minute live video question and answer session between the school and the astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

This opportunity is a STEM initiative that provides our students with the opportunity to explore career-connected learning opportunities and STEM engagement. The NASA STEM Engagement delivers a variety of tools for students and educators. Their mission is to “create unique opportunities for a diverse set of students to contribute to NASA’s work in exploration and discovery. Build a diverse future STEM workforce by engaging students in authentic learning experiences with NASA’s people, content and facilities. Attract diverse groups of students to STEM through learning opportunities that spark interest and provide connections to NASA’s mission and work.”

This mission also aligns with Brown County Schools initiatives of career-connected learning and our STEM focus. Currently Brown County Middle School is the only Indiana Department of Education STEM certified school; however, our strategic plan includes goals to increase that by certifying all three of our elementary buildings within the next three to five years.

Here is the list of the students and the questions they recorded for last week during this out of this world experience with NASA. Some questions were cut due to time:

First-grader Sawyer Reynolds: “Why do astronauts want to be in space?”

Fourth-grader Reece Wrightsman: “What are spacesuits made of?

Third-grader Colden Peck: “How does a spaceship launch?”

Third-grader Hudson Pagnard: “What does launch feel like?”

Fourth-grader Eli Summers: “How does the space station get power?”

First-grader Mackenzie Sadtler: “How do humans get oxygen in space?”

Fourth-grader Rory Kinnaird: “How do you eat in space?”

Second-grader Logan Hathaway: “How do astronauts prepare the food?”

Preschooler Wyatt Kalchik: “Do you drink milk in space?”

First-grader Ava Kalchik: “Can you listen to music in space?”

Kindergartener Phoenix Dunn: “Do you play games in space?”

Third-grader Avalon Lagiglia: “Are there animals on the space station?”

Kindergartner Lachlan Steele: “If you had a snake in space, how would it slither?”

Fourth-grader Brileigh Sawyer: “How long does it take to send and receive messages from your family?”

Fourth-grader Anela McQueen: “How do toilets work in space?”

Second-grader Ellie Spiece: “How do you take a shower in space?”

First-grader Anora McGlothlin: “How do you sleep in space?”

Third-grader Axl Kinnaird: “Is there night and day in space?”

Fifth-grader Violet Haza: “How does time work in space?”

Third-grader Gavin Eddins: “Does bread get moldy in space?”

Third-grader Hank Pagnard: “What is your favorite thing to do in outer space?”

Third-grader Silas McCoy: “When NASA explores planets, what types of things are they looking for?”

Third-grader Victoria Dawdy: “If things are in space too long will they disintegrate?”

Fourth-grader Ruby Wagers: “Is it hot or cold in space?”

Third-grader Maeve Steele: How long can an astronaut stay outside the space station?”

Fifth-grader Quillen Reeves: “How does it feel when you return to Earth and step on the ground for the first time?”

We will add videos to the Brown County website for you to view!

I want to personally thank high school teacher Mrs. Sarah Cochran for her hard work in ensuring yet another world class opportunity for our students! It was a great day to be a Wildcat and an Eagle!

Emily Tracy is superintendent of Brown County Schools. She can be reached at 812-988-6601 or [email protected].