Space Exploration Educators to Speak with NASA Astronaut Aboard Space Station

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teachers from across the nation will speak with a NASA astronaut living, working and doing research aboard the International Space Station at 9:35 a.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 1. The 20-minute, Earth-to-space call will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

The teachers, who are attending the 24th Annual Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC) at Space Center Houston, will make the call to Expedition 54 astronaut Joe Acaba aboard the space station, posing questions about life aboard the space station, NASA's deep space exploration plans, and doing science in space.

Acaba arrived at the space station Sept. 12 on his third space mission, and is scheduled to return to Earth in February.

SEEC members are leaders in space exploration education throughout the nation. Some 580 teachers are expected to be on-site at Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, for the downlink.

Media interested in attending the event should contact Ed Ellingson via email at [email protected] or phone at 281-244-2157. The event will take place at Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Parkway.

Linking teachers directly to astronauts aboard the space station provides unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning, performance and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This in-flight education downlink is an integral component of NASA's Year of Education on Station, which provides extensive space station-related resources and opportunities to students and educators.

Follow the astronauts on social media:

https://www.twitter.com/NASA_astronauts/

See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at:

https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation/

SOURCE NASA