LEAD, S.D. – Students in the Lead-Deadwood School District are preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this November when they speak directly with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station.
The event is part of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program, known as ARISS, which promotes science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education through live conversations with astronauts. Lead-Deadwood will become the first school in South Dakota selected for the program.
Math teacher Lexy Stith, who helped bring the opportunity to the district, says 15 students will have about 10 minutes to ask an astronaut questions during a live, school-wide streamed event. The students have been participating in special lessons and activities to learn about life and work aboard the space station, including astronaut nutrition, exercise, and space technology.
School officials say the project is being integrated into multiple subjects across the district and is designed to spark student interest in STEM careers. The contact with the International Space Station is expected to take place sometime during the week of November 16.
Educators say the experience will give students in the small Black Hills district an opportunity few students ever receive and could inspire future careers in science and engineering.
