Success: Oakwood Asks an Astronaut!

On Friday, April 25, Oakwood School successfully contacted an astronaut aboard the International Space Station as part of an ARISS contact. Juniors Ryan Beaulieu and Robin Klingauf, along with elementary students Aarin and Wesley, operated the radio stations and were able to communicate with Dr. Jonny Kim aboard the ISS.

Each student played an important role in ensuring the smooth operation of the radio stations. The contact initially proceeded as planned, but a slight deviation caused a moment of panic among the radio operators. Fortunately, they were able to quickly resolve the issue and maintain a smooth connection. Students ranging from first to eleventh grade asked Dr. Kim questions live. Although the contact lasted only around ten minutes, students managed to ask 25 questions, prompting insightful answers from Dr. Kim.

Members of the Space Club were responsible for gathering student questions and organizing the schoolwide assembly. Meanwhile, students in the Middle School Broadcasting elective handled the livestream of the event.

Replay the ARISS contact on YouTube

ARISS Contact Assembly photo album

The students and community members who made Oakwood’s ARISS contact possible, including the Student Radio Operators, Broadcasting Crew, MCs, adult mentors, and volunteers from the Garlic Valley Amateur Radio Club.

These Oakwood students were selected to ask questions during the live ARISS contact with astronaut Jonny Kim, serving as the official student interviewers for this unforgettable experience.