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Selected Press Release

December 11, 2009

NASA MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-233

CONNECTICUT STUDENTS SET FOR COSMIC CONVERSATION WITH SPACE STATION COMMANDER

WASHINGTON -- Fifth grade students in Connecticut will talk science
with International Space Station commander Jeff Williams as he orbits
200 miles above Earth on Dec. 15. The education downlink will take
place from 12:50 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. EST from the New England Air
Museum in Windsor Locks, Conn.

Williams is a NASA astronaut and commander of the Expedition 22
mission to the station. He has been aboard since Oct. 2. The students
attend McAlister Intermediate School in Suffield, Conn., and East
Hartford Glastonbury Elementary Magnet School in East Hartford, Conn.


Student questions will focus on the importance of water recycling
aboard the orbiting outpost and the effects of the space environment
on the life cycle of the painted lady butterflies recently brought
aboard the station. The conversation with the space station is part
of an educational event at the museum.

Reporters interested in attending the event should RSVP to Caroline
d'Otreppe at the New England Air Museum at 860-623-3305, ext.13, by 5
p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14.

Students have been preparing for the downlink by participating in
activities that will help them identify the problems that need to be
solved in order for people to live and work in space. Hamilton
Sundstrand in Windsor Locks, Conn., and CUNO in Meriden, Conn., have
partnered with the museum and participant schools to allow students
to interact directly with scientists and engineers.

The downlink is one in a series with educational organizations in the
U.S. and abroad to improve teaching and learning in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics. It is an integral component
of Teaching From Space, a NASA Education office. Teaching From Space
promotes learning opportunities and builds partnerships with the
education community using the unique environment of human
spaceflight.

NASA Television will air video from the space station during the
event. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video
information, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


For information about NASA's education programs, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/education


For information about the International Space Station, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/station

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