March 11, 2010

ARISS CONTACT PLANNED WITH SCHOOL IN PERISTERI, GREECE

An ARISS school contact is planned with participants at 18 Dimotiko Scholeio Peristeriou, Peristeri (Athens), Greece.

18th Dimotiko (primary) school of Peristeri has 145 pupils in 9 classes. The school is located in Peristeri city, about 7 kilometres from of the center of Athens. The same building complex comprises the 46th primary school of Peristeri with 120 pupils in 9 classes and 3 Kindergarten classes with 75 children.

The ARISS project was initiated by the Association of Parents and chaperons of 18th Dimotiko School with the help of radio amateur SV1HER, the teachers and the principal. The pupils benefited from a special program covering Space, human activities in Space, the International Space Station and amateur radio activities. They also followed special training programs on environment, Olympic education and a special program named “Kallipateiras”.

For the ARISS event, the neighbouring Primary schools of Peristeri were invited to participate (sixth class of each School). The total number of participants amounts to about 480 pupils.

The pupils from the eight participating schools prepared questions and the 18th Dimotiko School chose 20 questions for the Space Talk.

The Mayor and Vice Mayor accepted to host the ARISS event in the new City Hall amphitheatre.

This direct contact is scheduled Tuesday 16 March at 11:37:49 UTC. The ground station will operate with call sign SX1ISS.

Downlink signals will be audible in Europe on 145.800MHz FM.

Participants will ask as many of following questions as time allows:

1. When someone travels to another country, he usually says that his home country is the most beautiful. Traveling in the universe, do you believe that the most beautiful planet is the earth?

2. You know that the names of the planets are those of ancient Greek Gods? What are your feelings now that you are communicating with the country of the twelve Gods of Olympus?

3. How will climate changes affect the earth in the future?

4. Is the job of an astronaut a difficult one?

5. Which are the necessary preparations before a spaceship sets off?

6. Would you live for ever in a space station or on the moon?

7. What are the necessary qualifications for someone who wishes to become an astronaut?

8. Why have you decided to be an astronaut?

9. Is there any pollution in space?

10. Would you like your family to be with you?

11. Can space teach us how to save the Earth?

12. How is it possible that your oxygen never ends up?

13. How do you spend your free time?

14. Have you ever seen a “black hole” in space?

15. How did you feel during the launch?

16. How and where do you sleep?

17. What is your research about? Is it difficult?

18. What would you do if an accident happened on the ISS?

19. What is Earth like from space?

20. What effect has zero gravity on your body?

ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries.

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers onboard the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology and learning.

Gaston Bertels - ON4WF

ARISS Chairman