International Space Station astronaut Shannon Walker will speak on Wednesday, Sept. 29 to students from three schools she attended while growing up in Houston. Students from Parker Elementary and Westbury High School will join those gathered at Johnston Middle School to ask questions of Flight Engineer Walker and station Commander Doug Wheelock from 10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. CDT.
Walker is the first native Houstonian astronaut. She has been living on the International Space Station since June. Walker was assigned to Expedition 24/25 for a six-month stay and will return to Earth in late November. She has been employed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center since 1987 and was selected as an astronaut in May 2004.
Students have been preparing for the downlink by participating in science lessons and studying the space station. To determine who will have the opportunity to ask questions, Johnston students filled out applications where they explained the impact the space station has had on society and their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
This live, in-flight education 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.
NASA Television will air video from the space station during the event. 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 International Space Station and the crew, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station
