Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Barbara Morgan Visits Ronald Reagan Elementary

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It wasn't an ordinary Wednesday at Ronald Reagan Elementary School in Nampa today.  Students got to meet and talk science and space with teacher and astronaut Barbara Morgan.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna worked with the school to schedule Morgan's visit after student Bronte Preece made the special request. Superintendent Luna met Bronte at a community event and asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Bronte said, "A scientist." She also said she was eager to meet Barbara Morgan. Superintendent Luna said he could make that happen.

Superintendent Luna and Barbara Morgan spent more than two hours at Ronald Reagan Elementary, speaking with students, answering questions, and encouraging them to follow their dreams.  They also visited classrooms and learned first-hand about the innovative math program the school recently implemented.

Here is some of the Q&A between Barbara Morgan and students:

Why did you decide to go into space? I decided to go into space because I’m a teacher. As a teacher, we're always trying to figure out how to make the classroom more interesting and more fun. How can we help you reach your dreams and make sure you're prepared? To do that, we go and study new things, go new places.

How long does it take for you to run out of air in a spacesuit? Those spacesuits generally last about 6.5 hours. We usually have about 7.5 hours of air. Then, we have 30 minutes of emergency air.

What did you like best in space? There are so many things... I really liked working with my crewmates, as a team. I liked working with the robotic arm. My other two favorite things were floating and working in weightlessness, and looking out in the beautiful universe and looking at all the stars and also looking back on our beautiful Earth.

~Melissa M.

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