EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION FOR SCHOOLS

The information and hyperlinks contained below are primarily intended for schools university students and teachers but will be of interest to anyone wishing to further their knowledge in space research and exploration.

This research can ultimately lead up to schools lodging an application (see below) for a radio contact with the astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS), and asking them questions first hand as they circle the earth at 28,000km. per hour. This is made possible through the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program.

The ARISS Web site: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/

A little about the ARISS Program

With the help of Amateur Radio clubs and ham radio operators, space shuttle astronauts have been speaking over the ham airwaves while in orbit. They are talking directly with large groups of the general public, showing teachers, students, parents and communities how Amateur Radio energizes youngsters about science, technology, and learning. The program was called SAREX, Space Amateur Radio EXperiment but is now called ARISS, Amateur Radio on International Space Station.

ARISS is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

More information can be found at the ARRL site : http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/

Related NASA Internet Sites: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/

The Science Directorate at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center sponsors the Science@NASA web sites. The mission of Science@NASA is to help the public understand how exciting NASA research is and to help NASA scientists fulfill their outreach responsibilities.

FOR KIDS http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/
NASA KIDS, is the place for kids grades 5-8 and younger. It has puzzles, games, and science stories just for kids. Kids can join the NASA KIDS Club with activities to learn to earn NASA certificates. They can even have a NASA KIDS e-mail address. For older kids check out Liftoff to Space Exploration.

FOR TEACHERS http://thursdaysclassroom.com
Thursday's Classroom The aim of Thursday's Classroom is to provide a lasting connection between
NASA's latest research and the classroom environment. It provides printable materials for use in home-schooling or in the classroom.

It's generally some months before your turn comes around so why not get your application in now, and learn about the Space Station and the experiments that the astronauts are doing while you are waiting .

TAKE THE FIRST STEP NOW .... SCHOOLS WISHING TO CONTACT THE ISS.

Download here: The ARISS Application Form (MS Word format. 30k.bytes)

This application form should be downloaded and completed before returning via e-mail to the appropriate address. Please contact me at hutch@electric-web.org if you require any assistance with this.

FOR SCHOOLS SELECTED TO SPEAK TO THE ISS.

Download here: A Teachers Guide for the Preparation of Students (MS Word format. 38k.bytes)

This is a guide for the preparation of students that must be done by teachers in the weeks prior to the contact with the astronauts, It describes how to set out the questions they will ask, what to expect on the day of the contact, and about the report to be done for NASA and the ARISS the week after. It also includes example questions that students have asked as a guide.

Download here: 24 hour E-mail notice (MS Word format) This e-mail notice MUST be sent 24 hours before the scheduled contact to the e-mail addresses listed on it, confirming that the school is ready. If this is not done the scheduled contact will be cancelled.