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| Students in Northern Saskatchewan see a future in space |
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When the First Nations community heard the Cree and Dene languages spoken in space for the first time they gasped.
It was Canadian astronaut Dave Williams greeting everyone from the deck of Space Shuttle Endeavour, beginning a 20-minute education downlink to La Ronge, Saskatchewan, on August 20 that included 150 students, parents, and officials in the remote northern city.
Seven students 12 to 14 years old spoke with members of the STS-118 crew from Northlands College. Dave Williams, who was born in Saskatchewan, addressed questions on visual cues, growing in space, and what it's like to balance on the end of Canadarm2 during a spacewalk.
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Student Josh Bull with Joan Beatty, the Honourable Minister of Northern Affairs for Saskatchewan, at the Northlands College in La Ronge during the STS-118 downlink event. (Photo: CSA) |
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NASA Educator Astronaut Barbara Morgan was asked about inertia in space and training to use Canadarm2 during mission operations. Commander Scott Kelly fielded questions about the availability of fuel after launch and before docking, and the potential impact of Hurricane Dean on landing the Shuttle.
Inspiring a community
Students in each of the four schools in La Ronge began learning about mission STS-118 in February 2007.
Hundreds of their questions were then forwarded to the Canadian Space Agency in preparation for the event.
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Participants in the STS-118 Education downlink in northern Saskatchewan. (Photo: CSA) |
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During the downlink, the unique perspective of the crew on the science and technology of space flight and exploration captivated the students, Chief Tammy Cooke-Searson, Deputy Minister of Northern Affairs Al Hilton, and members of the community.
The Honourable Joan Beatty, Minister of Northern Affairs for Saskatchewan, comes from the La Ronge region, and she summed up the emotionally charged event saying, "I'm proud to be from the North. Today we made history and are now on the world space map!"
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Canadian astronaut Dave Williams of the Canadian Space Agency answers questions during the education downlink. (Photo CSA) |
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The event in La Ronge was the first downlink to be hosted by a northern Canadian community.
Education downlink events in Canada are possible when a Canadian astronaut is assigned to a mission.
Watch the downlink at:
www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/missions/sts-118/videos.asp (Flight Day 13).
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(From left to right) Marilyn Steinberg, Program Manager, Space Learning at the Canadian Space Agency, Joan Beatty, Saskatchewan Minister of Northern Affairs, Cree Elder Henry Roberts, and Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of the Lac La Ronge Cree Indian Band. (Photo: CSA) |
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