Fourth Graders Make a Space Connection

On Monday, February 28th, some fourth graders called up to the International Space Station to see how things are going. Sound far-fetched? It.s completely true!

The fourth graders of Bentley School were well prepared when they finally talked to flight commander Leroy Chiao on Monday, at 8:49 AM. Both fourth grade classes had been researching and following the activity on the International Space Station since the beginning of October. That was when the students first learned they would have the amazing opportunity to talk to Commander Chiao, a Bay Area native, whose sister, Dr. Sandy Chiao is a consultant here at the school.

Commander Chiao and Russian flight engineers, Salizhan Sharipov and Yuri Shargin, launched Expedition X on a Soyuz TMA-5 rocket on October 13th from Baikonur Cosmodrone in Kazakhstan. The fourth grade students followed the news anxiously as we learned that the Soyuz.s automated docking system had malfunctioned. However, Sharipov took manual control and brought the craft in for a smooth landing. By early November the students were disappointed that the date for contact would be delayed until February, but excited to learn that Chiao had voted from space!

Meanwhile the fourth graders were researching everything they could about the International Space Station: the history and purpose, spacesuits, spacewalks, food, sanitation, astronaut training, sleep and entertainment, the station.s components and Expedition X. As they researched their topics in groups, they also were brainstorming questions and preparing skits. In the computer lab, they worked on individual reports on a space topic.

By the time Christmas came around, the students worried about Leroy and Salizhan as they learned about the food shortage aboard the space station, and breathed a sigh of relief when a holiday supply ship, an unmanned Russian cargo spacecraft, the Progress, landed with a fresh supply of food and holiday gifts.

Then in January, more worrisome news arrived from space. The Elektron oxygen generator was drawing more power than usual. After three failed attempted to repair the generator, they had to tap into oxygen reserves to repressurize the station while they continued to work on the problem. The students were comforted to know that the astronauts had plenty of air and were in no danger.

The fourth graders were reenergized when they learned that a new connection date had been set for February 28th! They were ready! Twenty students had been practicing the questions, remembering to add .over!. at the end, and all of the forty-three students had their skits well rehearsed.

When the morning arrived at last, and we received word that all systems were .go., the excited students trooped down to Meadows auditorium in their .Expedition X. T-shirts. The auditorium was decorated with a space-theme mural created by the art classes, and the stage was adorned with yellow stars. The stars, written by all the lower school students, expressed their personal aspirations and dreams for their futures. The auditorium filled up quickly with all the K-8 students and faculty, 4th grade parents, and even TV cameramen, and reporters!

Under the bright lights, the 4th grade students were calm but a little restless as they waited while the technicians worked on the connection to Hawaii. The ISS was traveling over Honolulu, 200 miles above the earth. Mrs. Harrigan claims a highlight of her teaching career was standing on stage, looking out at the crowded auditorium as the Ham Radio operator repeatedly attempted to secure contact. The entire audience appeared to be holding its breath in anticipation. When Dr. Chiao.s voice was clearly heard, the audience seemed to jointly exhale. The collective energy was incredibly powerful.

When at last they got their chance, 15 students got to ask their questions and have them answered.

"My favorite food is Teriaki steak", said Dr. Chiao in response to Andy Fahey's question, "What is your favorite space food?" When Taylor Niles asked him how he felt after his five hour and 23 minute spacewalk, Leroy replied, "Tired and happy!" In response to another question, Leroy said, "I was inspired to be an astronaut when I was eight years old, while I watched Apollo 11 land on the moon." Leroy's answer to a concern about trash polluting space was, "The trash burns up in the atmosphere."

Here are some things that the students had to say about the experience:

"It's not everyday you get to talk to an astronaut on the International Space Station," said Sean Hughes. "It was fun! We made history!" remarked Matthew Horst, "but I was really, really, really nervous!" "I was nervous, too, I thought I was going to pronounce my words wrong," said Brian Sakhuja, who pronounced his words perfectly. "It was exciting to talk to an astronaut" Andy Fahey added. "I think we are really privileged to make a connection to the I.S.S.," observed Max Thill. "I learned a lot, too!. responded Marie Martin. "Reporters were everywhere!" exclaimed Dina Blanter. "I felt like a movie star!" Bahar Ostadan joined in. "Cameras were flashing everywhere," said Max Ostrach. "Some of us were on TV!" exclaimed Kristi Hong. "I felt sad for my classmates that didn't get to talk after how hard they prepared, but I was happy that I got to!" commented Sophia Goodell. "I almost got to ask my question, but we ran out of time," lamented Dina Blanter. "I feel that even if some people didn't get to speak, it was still a good experience," said Max Novak. "It was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me. And we were very lucky to be able to talk to him," wrote Taylor Niles.

Emma Scoble, who maintained great composure while waiting to be the first Bentley student speaker, later described the event as, "Totally awesome!!! We really reached for the stars." Imani Buckner added, "Well, as the saying goes, "Shoot for the moon. If you miss, you might land on a star!" " Henry Coburn commented, "It was great! I wish it could have lasted longer, though." Lena Crown said, "I liked when he said, "Well, Lena," because it felt like he really understood he was actually talking to me." Camille Waechter observed, "And we had good reception too! A little scratchy here and there, but from space, who cares?" Maya Dornbrand-Lo agreed, "Some of Dr. Chiao's answers were static-y, but overall, I would say, "Houston, we don't have a problem!" " Kenji Madden was caught on camera proclaiming on TV, "It's just one step further to knowing much more."

As Camille Waechter wrote in a follow up to the event, "The fourth grade gives a big out of this world thanks to Dr. Sandy Chiao, who is Leroy's sister. We thank her for making this opportunity possible."

We will continue to follow Expedition X and look forward to April 25th, 2005 when Leroy and Salizhan will land back on earth.

OVER!

By Judy Geller and Brenda Harrigan with excerpts from the writing of Henry Coburn, Sophie Goodell, and Julia Klein.