Dan Hopson holds the equipment as Beckett Thayer sends a question to space.
The International Space Station may be many miles away, but for Bowman Middle School students, it was closer than ever during the county’s second “Ask an Astronaut” event on Aug. 28.
The event was at Harris Middle last October and was with astronaut Robert Hines.
Through Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, this year’s students had a question-and-answer session with astronaut Steve Bowen. Students picked his brain about life as an astronaut, what inspired his career choice, his taste in science fiction movies and more.
Students rotated through a list of more than a dozen questions and ended each question with the key phrase.
“Over.”
Gracie Peterson, Abel Rohr, Evan Payne, Anthony Rhinecker, Ashton Rohr, Beckett Thayer, Ethan Putman, Mario Martinez, Riley McCourry, Brayden Gillespie, Mayce Woody, Jocelyn Moody, Kaylee Adamo, Kevin Myrick, Carson Vess, Autumn Buchanan, Abbi Street, Mason McKinney, Kinlee Young, Rylie Parker and Ali Young asked questions or were otherwise involved.
Participating faculty and staff included principal Amber Young, Dan Hopson, Zeb Sturgill, Lincoln Masters, Samantha Kirk, Eddie Silvers, Shana Cook, Britney McKinney and Barbara Douglas.
U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx was also in attendance along with Bob Koepke of ARISS, Marvin Hoffman and Max Hopper of NC ARRL, Brannon Young and Tammy Hopson.
Prior to speaking with Bowen, students and faculty reflected on their journey to the day and what went into the preparation. Students also viewed a video featuring astronaut Tim Peake.
Dan Hopson, a local STEM teacher, was once again instrumental in setting up the talk.
When he did so with Hines at Harris last year, the local middle school became the only one in the state to receive an invitation— only roughly two dozen nationwide get an invitation each year.
Competition to land a chance to talk to an astronaut is fierce, but through Hopson’s diligence and copious paperwork, it became a reality for Bowman this year, as it did Harris last year.
ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking to International Space Station crew members, inspiring them to pursue interests in STEM careers.