Space Station Invaded By Students From Outer Space Base

HOUSTON -- Arizona Kids and teens are set to blast their local libraries into orbit after completing Outer Space Base, a library series of space science programs in Tucson. Nine- to thirteen-year-olds will participate in a live educational downlink with Expedition 17 astronaut Greg Chamitoff aboard the International Space Station on Friday, Aug. 15, from 1:10 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT.

The Pima County Public Library is the first public library system to host a space station downlink. The downlink also will be a first for the State of Arizona.

Outer Space Base programs are the product of a partnership between the library, NASA, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and the Mars Education Program at Arizona State University, in Phoenix.

Program participants engaged in a week-long series of hands-on programs, focusing on human spaceflight and NASA’s exploration plans, in preparation for the event. Outer Space Base is celebrating the 50th anniversary of NASA by promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills among kids and teens.

NASA’s education downlinks support the agency’s efforts to encourage students to study and possibly pursue careers in STEM fields. These events are facilitated by NASA’s Teaching From Space Office and use the unique experience of human space flight to promote and enhance STEM education.