An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Woodridge Middle School, High Ridge, MO on 12 Dec. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:29 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and N0KBA. The contact should be audible over the state of Missouri and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.

Story:

Hello Astronauts!

Greetings from Woodridge Middle School in High Ridge, MO. Our school is about an hour south of St Louis in rural Jefferson County and part of the Northwest R1 School District. Jefferson County has a long history of pioneering and innovative spirit going back to the early 1800s. This mentality lives on with our students and staff at Woodridge. Our school and our district are eagerly working to help foster student interest in STEM careers through awesome programs like Project Lead the Way, ARISS and other hands-on phenomenon based projects. The 612 students of Woodridge have really shown tremendous excitement over our space station contact. To capitalize on this energy, our staff has integrated space and engineering related topics into the curriculum in all subjects. This effort will inspire our students to a lifetime of service to the nation.

Many of the students' families struggle with poverty and lack motivation or hope for their futures. For some, the energy associated with these exciting events and projects is what keeps kids invested in their education. The ARISS contact has already had a significant positive impact with reduced truancy and increased scores in STEM subjects. We will continue the momentum we are experiencing by integrating more opportunities and capitalizing on the opportunity we are getting for our students. We cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are for this opportunity.

Ultimately, our students face many disadvantages due to low income and this is a way to further opportunities for them. We want what is going to offer our kids the best chance at success we can find them. We also want them invested so they work on their futures and internalize the desire to be all they can be. You are helping us and all humanity with this desire. Thanks.

With admiration, Students and Staff of Woodridge Middle School

PS: Hey Drew! Go Army! Beat Navy!!! Laybourn

Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. Do your tears stick to your eyes or float away if you cry in space,

or even just water?

2. If you are outside the ISS are sounds from the inside able to be

felt if your hand is against the side of the ISS?

3. Are you able to see other types of phenomenon which we cannot from

the surface of Earth?

4. We know our bodies change in space like reduced bone density; would

you fully heal from a broken bone before returning to earth?

5. When you travel by rocket to the ISS do you feel the direction

change as the rocket turns to enter orbit?

6. What's it like to readjust to earth?

7. How is time measured in space for your daily schedule?

8. How hazardous is the solar radiation are you exposed to in outer

space?

9. Is water recycled continuously?

10. What have you brought with you to space which is unusual?

11. How did you feel the first time you saw earth from Outer space?

12. If the Space Station is hit by debris, and damaged how would you

return?

13. Solar storms can adversely impact electronics and radio. How do

they impact humans or other living things in space?

14. How does reduced or zero gravity affect your breathing?

15. What is your day to day life like on the International Space

Station?

16. Are there any unusual exercises you use to stay fit while in the

ISS?

17. Why did you choose to be an astronaut?

18. What is the scariest thing you have experienced in space?

19. What is the coolest thing you can see from space that we cannot?

20. Does the food taste good?

PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES:

Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the

International Space Station (ARISS).

To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status

Next planned event(s):

TBD

About ARISS

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org.

Thank you & 73,

David - AA4KN