Idaho Students Query Shuttle Astronauts

By Irwin Horowitz, 8-14-07

	Caption: Idaho schoolchildren wait to ask questions to the astronauts

This afternoon, 18 Idaho school students had the rare opportunity to ask questions to astronauts aboard the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Endeavour.  Located at the Discovery Center of Idaho in downtown Boise, Idaho Space Days culminated with a day-long event for these students, their parents and teachers and the community in general.

I had the distinct pleasure of addressing these students earlier in the day, encouraging them to embrace the spirit of discovery and exploration embodied by Barbara Morgan and her fellow astronauts, and to bring that spirit back with them when they returned to their hometowns later this week.  I implored them to infuse that enthusiasm in their family and friends, and to keep working towards a future that embraces that spirit.

Those who watched the live downlink were suitably impressed by the quality and sophistication of the questions asked by these students.  I dare say they were substantially better than the typical “space” questions asked by seasoned journalists, which just goes to show that the imagination of youth is a precious resource that we need to encourage.  These questions ranged from an inquiry about the motion of a baseball to how does one drink in space.  One young woman asked how stars appear from orbit, while another student asked how one operates the shuttle robotic arm.  When it appeared as though the downlink would end before each student had a chance to ask their question, the space station performed a gimbel maneuver in order to prolong the event and allow all eighteen their opportunity at the microphone.  Interestingly, none asked about going to the bathroom in microgravity, which is probably the most asked question whenever students talk with astronauts.

In the VIP room, besides the students, first lady Lori Otter and NASA Educator-Astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenberger, Idaho was represented by several other political leaders, including Sen. Mike Crapo, Rep. Bill Sali, Superintendent of Public Education Tom Luna and Boise mayor Dave Bieter.  Each of these individuals had a chance to briefly address the assembled audience.  Both Mrs. Otter and Mayor Bieter announced proclamations from the state and city recognizing this special day.

Outside, there was a mini-carnival atmosphere.  A portable planetarium provided a short program while the kids went crazy with stomp rockets and an inflatable obstacle course.  I helped out with the planetarium as well as with some solar observing, once the clouds moved away in the afternoon.  I did have a nice encounter with Mrs. Otter, as she was departing.  I asked her to look through the telescope at the Sun and both she and her aide thanked me for the opportunity.  I also showed the Sun to Larry Gebert, KTVB-7 meteorologist who was working the parking lot during the event, and we were able to view a few small sunspots at that point.

I must say it was an exciting day for all who attended, but none more so than those students, who return home now as mini-celebrities and as ambassadors for exploration and discovery.