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Teaching From Space (TFS)
10.06.08

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

The Teaching From Space program allows the International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers to perform curriculum-based activities in space to demonstrate basic principles of science, math, engineering and geography and answer questions real-time from students on Earth. Many of these activities involve video recording and/or still photographic documentation of a crewmember performing demonstrations. Other activities involve crewmembers on board the ISS answering questions from students on Earth.

Principal Investigator

  • Jonathan Neubauer, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

  • Matthew Keil, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    • Payload Developer

    Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|

    Previous ISS Missions

    Activities like Teaching From Space have been performed on every Space Shuttle mission and ISS mission to date.

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    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • Several educational activities and demonstrations are performed onboard the International Space Station (ISS) to be used as teaching aids to supply educational resource materials, or simply to provide additional mechanisms to inspire students.


    • From astronauts demonstrating how simple and familiar phenomena such as water droplets behave on the ISS to allowing students of all ages to pose questions to the crews on board the ISS, these diverse activities are rich with opportunity to connect with students and bring the ISS experience into their lives.

    Description

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Teaching From Space (TFS) Office is responsible for facilitating the flight of educational activities on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS). TFS activities focus on demonstrating science, mathematics, engineering, technology, or geography principles in a microgravity environment. Most activities involve video recording of the demonstrations and/or still photographic documentation of a crewmember.

    TFS also coordinates In-flight Education Downlinks, which provides students and educators with the opportunity to learn about science and the ISS by speaking to the crew in orbit. Prior to the event, students study the ISS and onboard science activities and develop questions to ask the crew. Since TFS began, thousands of students have had the opportunity to participate in a downlink event where ISS crewmembers answered their questions and performed simple educational demonstrations. Through educational broadcasting, more than 30 million students have been able to watch the live interviews. Through in-flight education downlinks, students and educators can communicate live with the ISS crew. Prior to the event, students study the ISS and onboard science activities and develop questions to ask the crew. Crewmembers answer the questions and perform simple educational demonstrations.

    Usually two education downlinks occur each month. Members of the formal and informal education communities, NASA centers and education programs, and the ISS International Partners host these events. The hosts make downlinks part of a comprehensive education package that supports national and state education standards and initiatives. Live in-flight education downlinks, which have one-way video (from ISS) and two-way audio, are broadcast live on NASA Television.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    Teaching From Space (TFS) introduces the next generation of explorers to the environment of space.

    Earth Applications

    Using a new approach in the classroom on space flight, science, and mathematics will capture the imagination of students. Allowing students to participate in activities that directly involve NASA will inspire them to pursue careers in science and engineering.

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    An ISS video camera and the ISS communications equipment is needed during TFS sessions. During the sessions the crewmembers answer questions or perform demonstrations for the students for 15 - 20 minutes. TFS activities are usually scheduled twice a month.

    Operational Protocols

    Teaching From Space requires that the crew position themselves in front of the ISS audio and video equipment during each session.

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    Results/More Information

    As of April 2007, over 30 million students have participated in Teaching From Space activities. Including a Channel One (network broadcast to schools) downlink to schools across the western U.S., reaching millions of students during Expedition 6 and a U.S. Department of Education downlink that reached millions of students around the country during Expedition 12.

    The following statements were written by seventh-grade students in Phelps, KY, after participating in a Teaching From Space event during Expedition 10:

    • "I have decided to become more educated and become some sort of scientist."

    • "I have been influenced - I want to get an education in a field of science or technology."

    • "Small towns have big technology too."

    • "I didn't know about all of the good jobs we could get when we grow up. My parents say they didn't have these opportunities when they were growing up but we do."

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    Related Web Sites
  • STS-118 Education Resources

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications

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        Images

        imageCrewmembers on board the International Space Station (ISS) answered questions students asked in four languages during ISS Expedition 13 during the International Education Week event held on November 14, 2006, at the U.S. Department of Education. Image courtesy of the NASA Educational Technology Services
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        imageFrom 210 miles above Earth, Naval Postgraduate School alumni and Expedition 14 ISS Commander, Michael Lopez-Alegria, thrilled an audience of students, faculty, staff and their kids April 5, 2007. Pictured above eight-year old Mark and nine-year old Julianne asked Lopez-Alegria what it's like to float and what do stars look like from the space. Lopez-Alegria did one better. He tumbled himself like a whirling dervish and then told Julianne that when they are on the far side of Earth, away from the sun, there are so many billions-of-stars that it's more like seeing a whitish background with little black specks! US Navy Photo by Javier Chagoya.
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        Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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