Discovery Middle School, Huntsville, Madison, News, RSS Twitter, Schools
 By  GreggParker Published 
3:58 pm Saturday, March 5, 2016

Discovery students, ISS astronauts chat

Discovery students spoke to International Space Station astronauts with assistance from students in the Space Communications Laboratory at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. CONTRIBUTED

Discovery students spoke to International Space Station astronauts with assistance from students in the Space Communications Laboratory at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – “Ground control to Major Tom …”

In their own ‘space oddity,’ students from Discovery Middle School had the out-of-this-world opportunity to talk with astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS).

Julia West arranged for her STEM II (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) class at Discovery to talk directly with ISS astronauts on Feb. 19. They visited the Space Communications Laboratory in the engineering building at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

UAH students in the space lab assisted the Discovery youth in their ‘long-distance’ calls. The earthbound students spoke to the astronauts with amateur or ‘ham’ radios for about 10 minutes as the ISS passed directly over Huntsville. They asked astronauts about life in space and other space-related topics.

“Discovery Middle School was named after one of the space shuttle orbiters,” John Peck said. Peck works as Public Relations Manager for Madison City Schools. “Space Shuttle Discovery played an integral part in ferrying astronauts and parts to the space station.”

In addition, Discovery students have been working with the UAH Space Hardware Club to learn facts about the ISS and the types of careers that are associated with aerospace industry.

The radio contact was associated with the government’s Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) project.

The ARISS radio contact is one in a series of educational activities in the U.S. and abroad to improve teaching and learning in STEM, Peck said.

“It is an integral component of Teaching from Space, a NASA Education office. The office promotes learning opportunities and builds partnerships with the education community using the unique environment of human space flight,” he said.

For more information, visit space.uah.edu/ARISS or nasa.gov/education/tfs/ariss.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *