Schoolchildren talk to the International Space Station During TU Dublin Space Week
TU Dublin's commitment to promoting STEAM education has given Dublin primary school pupils a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to communicate with the International Space Station (ISS).
Today, twelve pupils from Dublin-based DEIS schools will speak live with astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli (NASA) via amateur radio to learn about life in space. The pupils will have approximately 11 minutes to make direct contact with Jasmin on board the ISS, as it orbits Earth at 27,600km/hr.
TU Dublin had applied to be involved in this highly competitive initiative, run by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), which is a global voluntary group that has created a programme for using radio equipment aboard the ISS. TU Dublin was a stand-out organisation of choice this year due to their inspirational science education outreach programme STEAM: Try Five, which promotes hands-on, inquiry-based, collaborative and student-centred learning.
The amateur radio contact will take place on Friday, October 06th at 14:11 IST and will be internationally live-streamed using TU Dublin’s YouTube channel here.
The ARISS space link-up is the culmination of TU Dublin’s ‘Space Week’, an initiative supported by Workday, Inc., running from 2nd to 10th October. TU Dublin and Workday teamed up to deliver engaging, fun-filled and educational events and activities to prepare pupils and awaken a deeper interest in STEAM, through space and space travel.
Dr Mary Meaney, Registrar and Deputy President of TU Dublin, said:
“By participating in this extraordinary event, TU Dublin reaffirms its commitment to STEAM education and exploration, while showcasing its leadership in the field. These lucky students will have about 11 minutes to put their local community on the astronomical map as they make direct contact via amateur radio – an exciting opportunity for all.”
Victoria MacKechnie, Director of Corporate Affairs and Operations, Workday, Inc. said:
“Space resonates with primary school children; their sense of curiosity and adventure, providing a great segue to pursue STEAM subjects that can unlock new and exciting careers. With workshops ranging from ‘track the ISS’ to ‘astronaut training’, we are delighted to support Space Week through our multi-year partnership with TU Dublin.”
During Space Week, 1,500 pupils will participate in STEAM and space-related workshops and activities on campus and in local schools, including the Mars Rover Challenge, Moon Rover workshop and Space Invaders. Workday is also supporting many STEAM-related competitions, including poetry, ‘Women in Space’, and drawing.
Six DEIS primary schools are involved in Space Week activities, ensuring that science education is imaginative, engaging, playful, and challenging for pupils. The Dublin schools involved are Sacred Heart Killinarden, Gardiner Street Primary School, Stanhope Primary School, St. Paul’s Brunner Primary School, St. Mary’s Primary School, and St. Gabriels National School. In addition, students from six local DEIS secondary schools are also attending workshops on campus.
As part of Workday’s support of TU Dublin Space Week, a celebratory event is also taking place on October 6th with prize-giving, movies and guest speakers. Workday’s support for Space Week in TU Dublin further promotes science education as imaginative, engaging and challenging for all.