Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield is on the International Space Station now. I have been following him on twitter. He is very active on twitter and his comments and replies are most interesting. He has also shown many pictures of what he sees when he looks at the earth.
Yesterday Hadfield talked to students in a high school in airdrie, Alberta. I listened to an interview on this happening. A student and a teacher were interviewed. The student described them being in a theater and how it was extremely quiet as they were waiting for Hadfield to come on. When he did come on they were quieter yet, as they didn't want to miss a thing. A number of students got to ask questions and of course Hadfield is a guy who will give you far more information than what the question required. The teacher spoke next. She had applied for the school to be addressed by Hadfield. She was far more excited than the student. i'm sure she spent much time peparing the students for the event and probably had a couple of good science units to go along with Hadfield's visit.
I couldn't help but think what a fantastic learning opportunity this was for the kids. Tears almost came to my eyes as I thought of what a momentous occasion this was for the high school kids in Airdrie, Alberta and that they would remember this for a life time. How many of these students will be influenced for the rest of their lives? I know I was influenced and I was not even there.
Today Chris Hadfield took over as commander of the International Space sSation.
A great idea. By the time the children grow up it will be commonplace for folk to be flitting round in orbit.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they think about their own space travel. When I was a kid I had a hard time to get my head around airplanes. My first flight was in 1963. I got pilot's license in 1967!
DeleteThat is so interesting, we had a Dutch astronout there too and he did the same, twitter and talking to school kids. He is our national hero "Andre Kuipers". http://blogs.esa.int/andre-kuipers/?lang=en
ReplyDeleteChris Hadfield is certainly making himself popular and will be remembered for a long time.
Deletethat is really cool that he took the time to share with kids... :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how prolific this guy is on twitter!
DeleteI am sure that these children will remember this... I remember the first walk on the moon. I guess what I never realized, and still don't, is the amount of work, money and energy to get those men there!
ReplyDeleteYes, the first walk on the moon. I was driving through northern Ontario so no TV. More than that the radio reception kept fading in and out. It's one of those days that I will always remember.
DeleteCan't you just imagine those kids who actually got to ask the questions growing up and being able to tell their own kids they talked to someone in space. What a wonderful memory for them.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know he's willing to share his experience with kids. I'm sure some will want to follow in his footsteps.
All this stuff filled me with wonder as to what it really means to the kids.
DeleteThese students will remember this all their lives
ReplyDeleteThey will certainly remember where they were that day!
DeleteWhat a wonderful experience for that teacher and the students!
ReplyDeleteRather funny that the teacher was so excited when she was interviewed.
DeleteWhat fun for those kids and the teacher too! Back in May of 1961 I was in 4 th grade when Alan Shepard went into space. I sat in the tecchers car and listened to it on the radio..took notes and then went in and shared it with the whole class...in retrospect too bad the whole class couldn't have heard it first hand:)
ReplyDeleteI wasn't in Gr 4 when Shepard went into space but I don't remember listening to it on the radio. I remember reading about it. I was teaching and I know we didn't listen to it.
DeleteIs Chris the person that William Shatner interviewed a few weeks ago? I watched that conference and was amazed by how the astronaut responded in french to an eastern Canada reporter's question.
ReplyDeleteChris is fluently bilingual and many of the tweets are in French. I did not see this interview.
DeleteWhat a great thing to happen! I still remember some of my space firsts!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
The space program has provided lots of excitement. Some commenters have given their memories.
DeleteWhat a great experience for the kids. They will likely remember this far longer than most lessons. How exciting!
ReplyDeleteYes , I'm sure they'll remember this one. So will I.
DeleteI'm impressed with the teacher's thoughtfulness. As you said, it is something that will likely stay with them.
ReplyDeleteI remember the TV rolled into a gym so the school could watch launches... back in the day.
You too eh! the one I remember is the first guys on the moon. I was driving through north west Ontario. the radio reception kept fading in and out. Just during the landing it was out.
DeleteOh Red this is such an important part of history our young people are so lucky to have the technology that allows them to talk to someone that is sitting above us and shares all. It is so important that people get to experience this first hand, we have no idea how this will affect the mind of the ones on the ground in a little class in Alberta. I am so happy you posted this. I have been following this Canadian and am so proud that he is sharing. Technology is what the kids of today get excited about and he is smart enough to realize that. Good for him. B
ReplyDeleteOther astronauts have done the same but I didn't follow them. I'll know next time.
DeleteWhat an exciting opportunity for kids. My cousin recently sent me a video tour of the station by the former commander, a woman. Very interesting...
ReplyDeleteThis has gone on a long time now and it's still interesting.
DeleteAdded his Twitter to follow after I read your post! Awesome photos and insight! Have sent link to my friend who teaches Astronomy, her kids will love it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I just blundered into this one.
DeleteWow, I am now following Cmdr Hadfield on Twitter and have sent link to my friend who teaches Astronomy! Her kids will love this.
ReplyDeleteHi Red - I wasn't sure you'd go back and read my response to your comment on my March 16 post of the Bohemian Waxwings. They are indeed Bohemian Waxwings. The Crabapple tree was full of them - I'll post some more photos where you can see their coloring and markings. They are much bigger than the Cedar and have more grayish coloring, plus the yellow and red on their wings. Check out my March 17 post tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSorry that I put some incorrect info on your blog. I've been back to your blog.
DeleteRed isn't technology amazing? I'm in awe of this and I haven't followed any of this. I'm not a twitter, never have been and to date I don't care to but now my curiosity has been piqued.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, maybe I'll stick to my friend Google and look up this man.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Wasn't it interesting? I quite enjoyed following him. I was teaching when we did a Space Contact. 2004.
ReplyDeleteWe made a video. Much fun!
Space COntact!