The Museum of Nature & Science will host a NASA In-flight Education Downlink at Las Cruces City Hall on Thursday, July 26, 2018. The day’s events will run from 9am to 12pm and include a Space Science Fair with activities for all ages, a presentation from a Solar System Ambassador, and a live Q&A with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Las Cruces students will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to astronauts Alex Gerst, Drew Feustel, and Serena Auñon-Chancellor (subject to change) during a 20-minute live connection. The exact time of the connection with the ISS will be released July 19, 2018.
Open submission of questions for the astronauts will run through July 7. Submit your questions to asknasa@las-cruces.org or on the event Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lcmuseums/events.
It is requested that school groups, camps, and other groups planning to attend the event RSVP to Stephanie Hawkins at 575-532-3372 or shawkins@las-cruces.org.
NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñon-Chancellor launched to the ISS on June 6, 2018, on Expedition 55/56. She is a board-certified internal and aerospace medical doctor, and has been with NASA since 2006.
NASA Astronaut Dr. Drew Feustel launched to the ISS on March 21, 2018, on Expedition 55. He holds a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Feustel is qualified as a Space Shuttle and Space Station Robotic Arm Operator, CAPCOM, and Instructor Astronaut for EVA training at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory.
European Space Agency astronaut Dr. Alex Gerst launched to the ISS for his second mission on Expedition 55/56 June 6, 2018, with Auñon-Chancellor. Dr. Gerst holds a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences from the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Hamburg.
International Space Station In-flight Education Downlinks support NASA’s efforts to encourage K-12 students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Downlinks are facilitated by the Johnson Space Center Office of Education as part of STEM on Station, and use the unique experience of human spaceflight to promote and enhance STEM education. The ultimate objective is to inspire students with fields related to science, technology, engineering and math; to help teachers stimulate the interests of their classes in these subjects; and ultimately, through their students’ pursuit of dreams, to advance American achievements in discovery, invention, and exploration.
Admission to the Museum of Nature and Science is free. The Museum of Nature & Science is located at 411 N. Main Street and is open Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 10am to 4:30pm, Wednesday 10am to 8pm, and Saturday from 9am to 4:30pm. For additional information, call 575.522.3120.