The University of New Mexico and The Childrens Hour will host a live chat with astronauts from the International Space Station in December. This is a rare and out of this world opportunity for students to engage with NASA astronauts, space experts and other space enthusiasts in an interactive atmosphere.

The NASA In-Flight Education Downlink, planned for Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at UNMs Student Union Building (SUB), is open and free to students throughout New Mexico. UNM and The Childrens Hour are extending an invitation to all of New Mexicos space enthusiasts for the live chat.

The event will be full of exciting experts from NASA and experts doing NASA work in New Mexico, as well as fun activities and information booths to get students set on a path to be stars.

Students will ask pre-submitted questions directly to astronauts about life aboard the space station, NASAs deep space exploration plans and what its like to conduct science in space. Students can prepare for the event by participating in existing NASA education/citizen science activities, reading up on the space station, astronaut biographies and about current research activities happening aboard the station. Open submission of questions for the astronauts will be accepted through Nov. 17. Questions can be submitted toThe Childrens Hour.

This event is a great opportunity for teachers to engage students similar to an interactive mission control environment. This event is designed for students in grades 4-9 grades as well as high school students, and undergraduate students at UNM who have not discovered their passion for a career. UNM Professor Dave Hanson

International Space Station In-flight Education Downlinks support NASA's efforts to encourage K-12 students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Downlinks are facilitated by the Johnson SpaceCenter Office of STEM Engagement as part of STEM on Station, and use the unique experience of human spaceflight to promote and enhance STEM education.Astronauts living on the orbiting laboratoryare able toparticipate in these educational calls, and communicate 24 hours a day with the Mission Control Center at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston,through the agencySpace Networks Tracking and Data Relay Satellites.

The goal is to inspire students with fields related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); to help teachers stimulate the interests of their classes in these subjects; and ultimately, through their students' pursuit of dreams, to advance American achievements in discovery, invention and exploration. Specific learning objectives for the event include creating interest among interested students in STEM by connecting with ordinary experience to extraordinary opportunities; demystify science by conducting real-world science; and develop community connections so youth have near-peer mentors at every stage of their education.

The event schedule also includes: an interactive jumping activity with a performance by the Albuquerque Air Jump Rope Team; Q&A/presentations by NASA contractor Jacob Torres, a New Mexico native working at NASAs Kennedy Space Center on efforts to grow New Mexico green chile in space; NASA staff member Kurt Luecht on in-situ resource utilization for exploration of the moon and Mars, current NASA interns working on plant growth (livestream from Kennedy); a presentation by UNMs Charles Chip Shearer on his new project at UNM to examine moon cores from Apollo 17and much more!

Additionally, audiences throughout New Mexico will be able to participate through the listening audience of The Childrens Hour broadcasting, Saturday at 9 a.m. on KUNM, as well as other large networks of local museums including Explora Science Center & Childrens Museum, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Nuclear Sciences and History.

Learning activities will also be available and can be done anywhere across the state in classrooms, participating museums and even at home. These events will include competitions, NASA citizen science activities and ongoing space and STEM-related museum activities. For more information on the event, visit NASA In-Flight Education Downlink.

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UNM to host live chat with International Space Station astronauts - UNM Newsroom