Ormond Beach Middle School students talk with astronauts at Embry-Riddle event

Ormond Beach Observer
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Almost 200 students from Volusia County middle schools gathered at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Wednesday, April 3, to speak with an astronaut in space — Matthew Dominick, commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission, who is currently serving aboard the International Space Station.

Organized as part of the global Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program, the event aimed to inspire young learners to pursue careers in STEM-related fields, according to a press release.

Aerospace Engineering senior Paul Bartolemea smiles as Makenzee Hall, of Ormond Beach Middle School, talks via radio to astronaut Matthew Dominic, aboard the International Space Station, in the ICI Center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, April 3. Photo courtesy of Embry-Riddle/David Massey

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the students’ excitement was infectious,” said Dr. Jim Gregory, dean of the College of Engineering on the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus. “They asked thoughtful questions and received fascinating answers from the astronauts, and I’m so glad that Embry-Riddle was able to play a part in introducing so many to the wonders of engineering and space science.”

Students from Deltona Middle School, Heritage Middle School, Ormond Beach Middle School and River Springs Middle School attended the event, and about 20 students got the opportunity to with members of the ISS crew and ask what life is really like in space.

After the students’ call to the ISS, they met Embry-Riddle alumna Nicole Stott, who joined the event via video call to speak about how she became an astronaut and answer questions about the 104 days she spent in space.

Embry-Riddle was approved to participate in the ARISS program last year. As part of the university’s push to achieve this goal, students set up and operated an amateur radio station, operated by the Amateur Radio Club, which installed the antenna array on campus that was used to make contact with the space station.

The ARISS project “offers us a unique opportunity to make a two-way contact with the ISS, something that only a select few can claim to have completed,” Amateur Radio Club president Paul Bartolemea said. “It’s also a spectacular opportunity for learning, experience and teaching.”