Skip to content
Support local, fact-based journalism today
and you could win a $500 REI gift card.
Support essential local journalism for your community.
2021 Spring News | REI
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • California State of Mind
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Talk With NASA Astronauts Gets Kids Excited About Math And Science

  •  Bob Moffitt 
Wednesday, August 27, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio
 

Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

Dr. Steven Swanson and Reid Wiseman appeared on the big screen at the Elliott Ranch Elementary gym and said six words that got the students very excited.

"We read you loud and clear."

Students packed the school's gym for an event that was half science class and half trip to the circus. On the big screen... a live feed from space with astronauts on the International Space Station talking about their work while doing back flips and tricks with a soccer ball in microgravity.

Maanasa Vasam is in the sixth grade. She recently finished a science project about the Space Station.  She asked astronaut Reid Wiseman what he's been working on.

"We have a cool robot up here, and right now our robot doesn't have any legs. And tomorrow, we'll be putting the legs on the robot and we should be able to see this robot very soon take its first steps in space, which will be a big thing for us up here."

Maanasa says she was impressed with the robot, but even more so by the astronauts' discovery of plant life growing on the outside of the Space Station.

"I never even thought that was possible because there's no air and no water."

Wiseman says he’s excited by the discovery.

"I've been thinking about this when I'm floating in my bed at night trying to go to sleep. How could this even be?"

Ethan Lipsie is in fourth grade. He thinks an elevator could be built to reach the Space Station.

"When I grow up, I'll do good in school, I'll try to see if I can become an engineer and try to build it. What's it gonna take to build it? I don't know, something like, I don't know. Just a long time and a lot of money."

Last year, NASA announced a competition for schools to show why they should be connected on a live feed with the Space Station.

Eva Mosakowski is the parent of two children at the school and led the school's competition committee.

She says she thought Science Technology Engineering and Math or STEM curricula could be taught in elementary schools.

"The children are definitely very excited. We built some events out around this. It's not the only event happening. It's really our kickoff for the year for the STEM initiatives."

STEM classes are typically taught in middle school and high school.

Elliott Ranch is awaiting delivery of a 3-D printer and has plans to incorporate it and a future presentation from Aerojet Rocketdyne into lesson plans.  


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Melody Stone / Capital Public Radio

    High Schoolers Battle For Robotic Supremacy

    Friday, March 14, 2014
    Balls fly through the air, the crowd cheers, the announcer excitedly describes the scene as it unfolds – you might think this is any normal high school sporting event, but the players on the court aren't tall athletic humans, they’re robots.
  • NASA To Help Monitor Calif. Water Supplies

    Tuesday, February 25, 2014
    NASA scientists and California water managers are teaming up to help predict measure and find water during the state’s worst drought. They're using satellites to help the state manage its water supply.

 NASAScience Technology Engineering MathSTEMElliott Ranch ElementaryElk Grove School DisrictInternational Space Station

Bob Moffitt

Former Sacramento Region Reporter

Bob reported on all things northern California and Nevada. His coverage of police technology, local athletes, and the environment has won a regional Associated Press and several Edward R. Murrow awards.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Photos: Sacramento River Cats Welcome Fans Back For First Time Since 2019

April 7, 2021

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

California Lawmakers, Newsom Agree On $536-Million Wildfire Prevention Plan

April 8, 2021

Courtesy of Families Together

Homebound Californians Still Lack Options To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

April 8, 2021

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: COVID-19 Vaccination Pop-Up Clinic At Luther Burbank High School On April 13

California Coronavirus Updates: Blue Shield Announces It Has The Capacity To Vaccinate Six Million People Per Week

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? How Will I Find Out? Answers To Your California Vaccine Questions.

Blue Shield Of California Has Taken Over The State's Vaccine Roll-Out. Here’s What That Means.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: COVID-19 Vaccination Pop-Up Clinic At Luther Burbank High School On April 13

California Coronavirus Updates: Blue Shield Announces It Has The Capacity To Vaccinate Six Million People Per Week

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? How Will I Find Out? Answers To Your California Vaccine Questions.

Blue Shield Of California Has Taken Over The State's Vaccine Roll-Out. Here’s What That Means.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.