8th Graders to Launch a NASA E-Mission

The 8th grade students at South Williamsport will work with NASA to launch an e-mission to Space Station Alpha. This e-mission will take place over the course of 3 days of each 8th grader being part of the mission on one of those days. "E-Mission: Space Station Alpha", is an interactive internet videoconference. The students have been preparing for the past 10 days to ensure a successful mission. The e-mission is a simulation that replicates the events that took place during an actual solar storm on February 17th of 2001. Astronauts on board the International Space Station faced some adversity when an unprecedented mass coronal ejection sent a large amount of gamma radiation their way. Students in my class will have data sent to their laptops every 5 mintues that tells them the current radiation levels, along with oxygen and carbon dioxide readings on board the space station. From there, they will graph and analyze the data to make calculated decisions on how to best handle the situation. During the entire simulation, a communications team of 8th grade students will be talking directly to a flight director with NASA who ensures that the mission is a successful one.

Please check back for pictures of this unique educational opportunity. A special thank you to the South Williamsport Foundation for providing the funding.