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O'Henry Students Chat With Astronauts

Updated: Monday, April 23 2012, 02:28 PM CDT
The phrase used over and over again was "Once in a Lifetime."  That’s what it meant for students at O'Henry Middle School to get an opportunity to video conference with the astronauts on board the International Space Station.

Student Jamel Borrego was impressed.  He said, "It was really cool.  Yeah.  I want to be one when I get older."  Classmate Avery Turner chimed in, “It was amazing because it can be a once in a lifetime opportunity that we at our school got.  And we're very thankful for that."

Not just anyone can talk with the space station.  NASA knows where their bread is buttered... And one of the “butterers” must be present.  Congressman Lamar Smith, whose district stretches from San Antonio to West Austin had the honors.  He says, “They will not do it unless a member of Congress is present.  I think the reason that they do it is that otherwise they would get hundreds and hundreds of requests.  And they want to make sure there's some real interest."

There was plenty of interest at O'Henry.  And Camie Phillpott, the Science Department Chair at the middle school, says she hopes this live space chat will help create lifelong learners and students who are enthusiastic about their education.
O'Henry Students Chat With Astronauts