- April 16, 2024
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In preparation for their radio connection with the International Space Station Friday, Nov. 16, students at Indian Trails Middle School were visited by former NASA astronaut Winston Scott.
Scott flew on two missions with NASA, nine days on Endeavour and 16 days on Columbia.
His presentation to the middle school students was aimed to inspire them to get interested in the subject areas of science, technology engineering or mathematics, as they graduate and go to college.
“That’s what it’s really all about — for the next generation to take over and keep our country strong with good, strong science,” Scott said.
The Friday radio contact was a vision that started last year when Bob Matson, then president of the Palm Coast Radio Club, shared his vision to write a proposal for a contact with ARISS, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, with Indian Trails Middle School teacher Dana Hausen.
“Within a few months, we were contacted by Trinisha Nixon, Teaching From Space education specialist, with the great news that the contact was ‘a go’ for ITMS,” Hausen said.
From there, a large group of people came together to ensure that the contact happened.
With the help of Jose Nunez, Flagler Schools STEM coordinator, and Sabrina Crosby, Flagler Schools project coordinator, an ARISS planning group was formed. This group included Mike Lee, president of the Palm Coast Radio Club, other club members and Flagler County teachers, technology specialists.
With the support of grants from the Flagler County Education Foundation and Motorola, Hausen and many other teachers across the district were able to bring space into their classrooms.
Although Indian Trails was the host school for the contact, two ARISS student ambassadors were selected from each of the following schools: Buddy Taylor Middle School, Flagler Palm Coast High School, Matanzas High School, Wadsworth Elementary School, Belle Terre Elementary School, Phoenix Academy, Bunnell Elementary School, Rymfire Elementary and Old Kings Elementary.
“The radio contact has also strengthened our ties with the community,” Hausen said. “From Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to the Palm Coast Astronomy Club, which recently donated a telescope to a group of Space club members at ITMS, we look forward to collaborating with our supporters on many future endeavers.”
For eighth-grade student Brendan DiCerbo, who has always been fascinated with space, meeting Scott and participating in the radio contact is a slow introduction to where he wants to spend his career.
“It makes me feel like I can do it,” said DiCerbo, who wants to be a flight director for NASA. “I’m speaking to these astronauts, and maybe one day, they will be superiors or retired, and I don’t think they will, but if they could remember hearing my name somewhere, it could be an in.”
In preparation for their radio connection with the International Space Station Friday, Nov. 16, students at Indian Trails Middle School were visited by former NASA astronaut Winston Scott.
Scott flew on two missions with NASA, nine days on Endeavour and 16 days on Columbia.
His presentation to the middle school students was aimed to inspire them to get interested in the subject areas of science, technology engineering or mathematics, as they graduate and go to college.
“That’s what it’s really all about — for the next generation to take over and keep our country strong with good, strong science,” Scott said.
The Friday radio contact was a vision that started last year when Bob Matson, then president of the Palm Coast Radio Club, shared his vision to write a proposal for a contact with ARISS, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, with Indian Trails Middle School teacher Dana Hausen.
“Within a few months, we were contacted by Trinisha Nixon, Teaching From Space education specialist, with the great news that the contact was ‘a go’ for ITMS,” Hausen said.
From there, a large group of people came together to ensure that the contact happened.
With the help of Jose Nunez, Flagler Schools STEM coordinator, and Sabrina Crosby, Flagler Schools project coordinator, an ARISS planning group was formed. This group included Mike Lee, president of the Palm Coast Radio Club, other club members and Flagler County teachers, technology specialists.
With the support of grants from the Flagler County Education Foundation and Motorola, Hausen and many other teachers across the district were able to bring space into their classrooms.
Although Indian Trails was the host school for the contact, two ARISS student ambassadors were selected from each of the following schools: Buddy Taylor Middle School, Flagler Palm Coast High School, Matanzas High School, Wadsworth Elementary School, Belle Terre Elementary School, Phoenix Academy, Bunnell Elementary School, Rymfire Elementary and Old Kings Elementary.
“The radio contact has also strengthened our ties with the community,” Hausen said. “From Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to the Palm Coast Astronomy Club, which recently donated a telescope to a group of Space club members at ITMS, we look forward to collaborating with our supporters on many future endeavers.”
For eighth-grade student Brendan DiCerbo, who has always been fascinated with space, meeting Scott and participating in the radio contact is a slow introduction to where he wants to spend his career.
“It makes me feel like I can do it,” said DiCerbo, who wants to be a flight director for NASA. “I’m speaking to these astronauts, and maybe one day, they will be superiors or retired, and I don’t think they will, but if they could remember hearing my name somewhere, it could be an in.”
