Overview

    Ask an Expert Your Questions

    Chat with a NASA expert each month throughout the school year. Image Credit: NASA

     Bring a NASA expert right into your classroom with NASA Explorer Schools live video chats. Throughout the school year, NES will introduce a different person working behind the scenes on our missions and research. Students can ask questions in real-time and hear directly from NASA experts.

    K-12 students and teachers across the United States are invited to participate. Membership in the NASA Explorer Schools project is not required to participate in the live chat events.

    How to participate

    Check the list below for upcoming events. 15 minutes prior to the start of the Chat, go to the event page and log into the chat window. Questions can be submitted by typing them in the chat window, or through Twitter by tagging the tweet with #NESChat, or by emailing them to NASA-Explorer-Schools@mail.nasa.gov. Include the grade and school name and we will announce it as part of the question! All chats are moderated. We will attempt to answer as many questions as time allows.

Upcoming Chat Events

Chat Archive

  • A man and a woman sitting at a table

    NES Video Chat: Atmospheric Remote Sensing From Satellites

    05.07.13 - On May 7, 2013, Bill and Linda Hunt answered student questions about NASA's Earth-observing satellites, which are used by scientists to study Earth's atmosphere.

  • Bonnie Buratti

    NES Video Chat: It's a Long Road to Pluto

    04.04.13 - On April 4, 2013, Bonnie Buratti, Ph.D., principal investigator for several NASA projects, answered questions about the New Horizons mission, Pluto, and the Kuiper Belt.

  • Lou Mayo

    NES Video Chat: Solar Max Storm Warning!

    03.14.13 - On March 14, 2013, Lou Mayo, a Planetary Scientist, answered student questions about the Sun-Earth connection and the effect of the projected increase in solar activity during the upcoming solar maximum.

  • David Pierce

    NES Video Chat: Engineering at NASA: There Is No Limit

    02.22.13 - On Feb. 22, 2013, engineer Dave Pierce answered questions about engineering, engineering careers and the launching capabilities at Wallops Flight Facility.

  • Philip W. Dabney

    NES Video Chat: Landsat: A Stunning Exploration of Earth

    02.05.13 - On Feb. 5, 2013, Dabney answered student questions about the Landsat launch and how it will affect what we know about Earth. He also described how his education has come in handy with his job.

  • Mary Ann Meador of NASA's Glenn Research Center demonstrates the strength of new aerogels

    NES Video Chat: Aerogel: Frozen Smoke

    01.24.13 - On Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. EST, students asked Dr. Mary Ann Meador questions about her discovery of aerogel and rod-coil block copolymers and about the uses for each.

  • Walter Bruce

    NES Video Chat: Inflatable Re-entry Vehicle Experiment (IRVE-3)

    12.07.12 - On Dec. 7,2012, Walter Bruce, a Senior Thermal Engineer at NASA of Langley Research Center, answered student questions about NASA's light-weight IRVE-3, an experiment of an inflatable thermal protection system for spacecraft.

  • Julie Williams-Byrd

    NES Video Chat: Human Spaceflight Exploration-Electro-optics Engineer

    11.29.12 - On Nov. 29, 2012, electro-optics engineer Julie Williams-Byrd addressed student questions about current and future technologies needed for human spaceflight exploration.

  • A head-on view of the orbiter Atlantis as it rolls to the Vehicle Assembly Building

    NES Video Chat: Space Shuttle Atlantis "Roll Over" Celebration

    11.02.12 - Students tuned in on Nov. 2, 2012 for a special event with NASA's DLN and NES commemorating space shuttle Atlantis.

  • Nicole Smith

    NES Video Chat: Multiple Teams Make the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

    10.24.12 - On Oct. 24, 2012, Aerospace Engineer Nicole Smith answered student questions on Orion's Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, America's new spacecraft for human exploration.

  • Bob Cabana

    NES Video Chat: Life as an Astronaut

    09.25.12 - On Sept. 25, 2012, astronaut Bob Cabana answered student questions about living and working in space, and his career path.

  • Dean Pesnell presents a signed photo of SDO

    NES Video Chat: The Sounds of the Sun

    07.26.12 - On July 26, 2012, Dr. Dean Pesnell, project scientist for the Solar Dynamics Observatory, answered questions about the sounds of the sun and his career path to NASA.

  • The Environmental Control and Life Support System mounted in its rack

    NES Video Chat: Maintaining a Comfortable Living Environment in Space

    06.05.12 - On June 5, 2012, Dr. Morgan Abney and Jennifer Pruitt answered questions about the two engineers' career paths and roles in research and maintenance of the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems needed to sustain life in space.

  • Mia Siochi

    NES Video Chat: Mia Siochi -- The Amazing World of Nanomaterials

    05.23.12 - On May 23, 2012, research materials engineer Mia Siochi answered questions about nanotechnology, self-healing materials and other emerging materials and systems of the future.

  • Robonaut and C.J. Kanelakos

    NES Video Chat: R2 Technology Lends a Helping Hand

    05.18.12 - On May 18, 2012, C.J. Kanelakos, a mechanical design engineer on the Robonaut 2 project, answered student questions about Robonaut 2, and a career in robotics as a mechanical design engineer.

  • Astronaut Gregory H. Johnson

    NES Video Chat: Astronaut Greg Johnson: Living and Working in Space

    05.15.12 - On May 15, 2012, students asked questions of astronaut Greg Johnson about his education, astronaut training, and experiences while living and working in space during two shuttle missions where he was the pilot.

  • Tara Ruttley

    NES Video Chat: Benefits of Science Experiments Aboard the ISS

    05.11.12 - On May 11, 2012 Tara Ruttley, associate program scientist for the space station, answered questions from students about the complexity of conducting research in microgravity aboard the ISS and the benefits from past and current experiments that help make life on Earth better for people of all nations.

  • Stephen Kane

    NES Video Chat: 100,000,000,000 Planets in Our Galaxy and Counting

    04.25.12 - On April 25, 2012, NASA research scientist Stephen Kane answered questions from students about a study he co-authored showing the Milky Way has a minimum of 100 billion planets.

  • Photograph of Becky Bolt sitting on a large alligator

    NES Video Chat: NASA Untamed

    04.23.12 - On April 23, 2012, wildlife ecologist Becky Bolt answered student questions about her exciting career, and what NASA's Kennedy Space Center is doing to ensure a green and sustainable future.

  • Discovery launches on its maiden voyage

    NES Video Chat: Space Shuttle Discovery Fly Out

    04.16.12 - On April 16, 2012 students had an opportunity to interact with NASA experts who were on hand at the Space Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to celebrate the Space Shuttle Discovery Fly Out.

  • A picture of Robonaut standing next to a man in a blue shirt and tan pants

    NES Video Chat: One Giant Charge for Robot Kind

    04.04.12 - On April 4, 2012, NASA robotics engineer Sandeep Yayathi answered student questions about his work with Robonaut 2, his career path and what the future holds for robotics.

  • Women's History Month Chat Panel

    NES Video Chat: In Celebration of National Women's History Month

    03.22.12 - On March 22 NES held a chat in celebration of Women's History Month. A panel of outstanding women at NASA's Langley Research Center answered student questions about the panelists’ contribution to the missions and goals of NASA.

  • Dr. Michelle Thaller

    NES Video Chat: Starry, Starry Night

    03.16.12 - NASA Explorer Schools held a video chat on March 16 with Dr. Michelle Thaller. Students asked questions about her career path, how she became interested in science, or any questions about astronomy at NASA.

  • A Saturn V rocket launches

    NES Video Chat: Yes, It Is Rocket Science!

    02.16.12 - NASA Explorer Schools held a video chat on Feb. 16, 2012 with three young engineers who work on rockets and rocket engines. They answered questions about their education, careers and job responsibilities.

  • Monica Barnes

    NES Video Chat: In Celebration of National Black History Month

    02.08.12 - On Feb. 8, 2012, NASA Explorer Schools held a video chat with a panel of five NASA engineers and scientists to celebrate National Black History Month.

  • Josh Willis

    NES Video Chat: Sea Level Rise

    01.25.12 - NASA Explorer Schools held a live video chat on Jan. 25, 2012 with Josh Willis who answered questions about sea level rise and global climate change.

  • Bill Cooke

    NES Video Chat: Let's Talk About Meteors, Meteorites and Comets

    01.12.12 - NES held a video webchat Jan 12, 2012 with Dr. Bill Cooke and Rhiannon Blaauw. They answered questions about meteors, meteorites and comets and their potential danger to spacecraft.

  • Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera

    NES Video Chat: Space Junk

    12.13.11 - Danielle Margiotta joined NES on Dec. 13, 2011 and answered student questions about how NASA engineers prepare satellites to endure the harsh environment of space.

  • Zareh Gorjian sitting at a desk with a cat on his lap

    NES Video Chat: Computer Graphics and Animations

    11.23.11 - NASA Explorer Schools held a video chat on Nov. 23, 2011 with Zareh Gorjian for a look at NASA's computer graphics area.

  • Jim Adams

    NES Video Chat: Year of the Solar System

    11.03.11 - On Nov. 3, 2011, NASA's Deputy Director of Planetary Science, Jim Adams answered student questions about NASA's recent planetary mission discoveries and upcoming launches. Adams discussed his career path and some of the most rewarding moments in his 22-year career with NASA.

  • Felix Soto Toro

    NES Video Chat: Honoring Hispanic Heritage: From Puerto Rico to America's Spaceport

    10.13.11 - In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Félix Soto Toro joined NES on Oct. 13, 2011, for our first live bilingual video chat. Students asked questions of this astronaut applicant and electrical engineer and found out what it was like for Soto to grow up in Barrio Amelia Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, with few advantages. They also learned what inspired him to pursue a career with NASA. A video or transcript of this chat will be posted at a later time.

  • Felix Soto Toro

    NES Video Chat: Sí se puede: del barrio hasta la NASA

    10.13.11 - Celebramos el mes de la hispanidad con Dr. Félix Soto Toro. ¡Charlamos en español con Dr. Soto en el programa de pregúntale al experto de NASA Explorer Schools! Desde 12:00 p.m. hasta las 12:30 p.m. EDT, aceptamos y respondemos a las preguntas en inglés. Desde las 12:30 p.m. hasta la 1:00 p.m. aceptamos y respondemos a las preguntas en español.

  • Curiosity

    NES Video Chat: Robots Digging Up Martian Geology

    10.05.11 - On Oct. 5, 2011, NES held a video chat with Paulo Younse. Younse is a robotics engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and answered student questions about a career as a robotics engineer, robot technology, what scientists already have learned about the geology of Mars, and what they are hoping to learn from the soon-to-launch Mars rover named Curiosity. A video or transcript of the chat will be posted at a later time.

  • Active Response Gravity Offload System

    NES Video Chat: Engineering Human Space Exploration -- ARGOS

    09.27.11 - On Sept. 27, 2011, Larry Dungan answered student questions about how NASA simulates the microgravity environments of the moon and Mars for research purposes using an overhead crane system named the Active Response Gravity Offload System, or ARGOS. A video or transcript will be available at a later time.

  • Lin Chambers

    NES Video Chat: How Clouds Affect Our Weather and Climate

    08.25.11 - On Aug. 25, 2011, NES held a video chat with Lin Chambers. Chambers is an atmospheric scientist studying the effect of clouds on Earth's radiation budget. She will answer student questions about the role of clouds in the Earth's energy and water cycles, and the benefits of participating in real-world atmospheric research through the S'COOL Project. A video or transcript of this chat will be available at a later time.

  • Timothy Livengood

    NES Video Chat: The Reason for the Seasons

    06.10.11 - NASA Explorer Schools was joined by Dr. Timothy Livengood for a special NASA Explorer Schools video chat, "The Reason for the Seasons," on June 21, 2011. A recording or transcript of the video chat will be posted at a later time.

  • Zareh Gorjian sitting at a desk with a cat on his lap

    NES Video Chat: Computer Graphics and Animations

    05.24.11 - On June 2, 2011, NASA Explorer schools held a live video chat with Zareh Gorjian for a look at NASA's computer graphics area. A video or transcript of this video chat will be available at a later time.

  • Janet Petro

    NES Chat: What’s it Like Being a Woman Working at NASA

    05.19.2011 - NASA Explorer Schools invited students to a chat on May 26, 2011, with Janet Petro, the Deputy Director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Petro shared her experience at NASA, in the U.S. military and in the private sector.

  • Fully functional, 1/6th scale model of the JWST mirror in optics testbed.

    NES Video Chat: The Big Bang, The Milky Way and More!

    05.17.11 - NES welcomed Nobel Prize winner Dr. John C. Mather for a video webchat. He spoke about the James Webb Space Telescope and how it will give us a look into the past to see how galaxies have formed since the Big Bang. A recording of this video webchat is now available.

  • NASA panel experts talking with a group of students.

    NES Video Chat: Focus on Your Future

    05.06.11 - Live from the 2011 NES National Student Symposium at Kennedy Space Center - a panel of NASA scientists, engineers and specialists answered student questions about careers at NASA during a 45-minute chat session. Students attending the symposium and those watching through the Web submitted questions to specific panelists or to the panel in general. A transcript of the chat will be posted at a later time.

  • Sam Ortega

    NES Video Chat: Building and Testing Solid Fuel Rocket Motors

    04.13.11 - NASA Explorer Schools invited K-12 students across the United States to chat with NASA civil engineer Sam Ortega, Program Manager of Centennial Challenge on April 19, 2011. Ortega answered questions about building and testing solid fuel rocket motors and being a civil engineer at NASA. A recording of this video chat is available for viewing.

  • Collage of pictures of three women and the word Chat in a text bubble

    NES Video Chat: Women at NASA

    03.29.11 - The NES project invited all K-12 students to participate in a one-hour-long NASA career panel video webchat on March 29, 2011. This year's panelists were three outstanding women who have chosen to pursue careers in science and engineering. A transcript and/or video will be posted at a later time.

  • A woman in a wet suit in a tank of water

    NES Chat: Aquarius Habitat -- Analog to the International Space Station

    03.01.11 - The NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations program sends groups of NASA employees and contractors to live in Aquarius, an underwater laboratory, for up to three weeks at a time. NEEMO crew members experience some of the same tasks and challenges underwater as they would in space. NES invited K-12 students across the United States to chat with Dr. Tara Ruttley, the first engineer aquanaut, in a live video webchat. A video of this chat is available.

  • Collage of pictures of two women and a bubble with the word Chat

    NES Chat: Microbial Girls in a Microbial World

    02.17.11 - Being a scientist doesn't always mean spending your days in a lab. For NASA microbial ecologists, going to work might mean climbing aboard a research vessel, or collecting marine and soil samples in the Andes, Mexico, or even in Europe and Africa! Students were able to find out what it's like to hunt microbes around the globe with Angela Detweiler and Dr. Lee Bebout. Chat transcripts are now available.

  • Dr. Joel S. Levine

    NES Chat With NASA Scientist Dr. Joel S. Levine

    01.21.11 - NASA Explorer Schools invited K-12 students to chat with Dr. Joel S. Levine, Chief Scientist of the ARES Mars Airplane Mission. Dr. Levine answered questions about the the development of the robotic, rocket-powered airplane that will fly through the atmosphere of Mars to search for evidence of life by looking for trace gases of biogenic origin. The chat transcript has been made available.

  • NASA Astronomer Dr. Sten Odenwald

    NES Chat With Astronomer Sten Oldenwald

    12.14.10 - NASA Explorer Schools invited K-12 students to chat with astronomer and black hole expert Sten Odenwald, who answered questions about becoming a professional astronomer and those mysterious black holes. The chat transcript has been made available.

  • Astronaut Michael J. Foreman, Mission Specialist.

    NES Chat With NASA Astronaut Michael J. Foreman

    11.08.10 - NASA Explorer Schools invited K-12 students to chat with astronaut Mike Foreman, who answered questions about living and working in space and his unique career path. The chat transcript has been made available.