Experiments Designed To Learn The Challenges Of Space Exploration

Students from Houston area schools who participated in the Genes in Space challenge, will talk to astronauts on the International Space Station during an events hosted by Boeing and Space Center Houston, the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The event is part of NASA’s Year of Education on Station.

NASA astronauts Drew Feustel and Scott Tingle will answer questions from schools that were finalists and winning schools of the Genes in Space challenge. The participating schools are Baylor College of Medicine Academy at James D. Ryan Middle School, Christa McAuliffe Middle School, Anahuac High School and Westfield High School.

Genes in Space invites students in grades 7-12 to design DNA experiments that address challenges in space exploration. This event is an integral component of NASA’s Year of Education on Station, which provides extensive space station-related resources and opportunities to students and educators. Astronauts living in space on the orbiting laboratory communicate with the Mission Control Center on Earth 24 hours a day through the Space Network's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS).

NASA employees, Boeing VIPs and the general public may also attend. The event will begin at 12:15 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 10

Additionally, at 7:35 p.m. Friday, May 11, Drew Feustel will receive an honorary degree from Purdue University, which will air on NASA TV and the agency’s website.

(Image provided with NASA news release [L-R] Astronauts Feustel, Tingle)

FMI: www.twitter.com/NASA_astronauts, www.nasa.gov/stemonstation