Semester in Space
NASA, ISS, and ARISS
In 2022, I led an extraordinary ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) contact project that united our entire K–12 school in an interdisciplinary semester centered on space exploration, the ISS, rockets, and radio communication. Under my direction, students engineered and built a satellite-tracking antenna, which successfully established a live ten-minute radio contact with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. Every grade level participated, contributing projects and posing questions that ranged from lighthearted curiosity like, “Can you eat cupcakes in space?”, to thought-provoking inquiries like “What would you say to a flat Earther?”
Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which severely impacted Fort Myers less than a month before the scheduled contact, our community’s determination never wavered. To honor the spirit of resilience and communication, we welcomed emergency HAM radio operators who had supported hospitals, police, and firefighters during the storm as our special guests. This event became a powerful testament to the ways STEM education, collaboration, and technology can inspire students and connect classrooms to the world beyond Earth.
Use the links below to see additional coverage of the event:
