Texas Border Business
RIO HONDO, Texas – Rio Hondo ISD students had the unique opportunity to ask NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Frank Rubio questions about his life and work while aboard the International Space Station during a livestream held May 18.
The LIVE Session is part of a collaborative program, coined In-Flight Educational Events, led by the Smithsonian Institution (SI) National Museum of the American Latino and NASA.
According to SI National Museum of the American Latino Head of Education Emily Key, the program is part of a large community engagement effort to increase student interest in space exploration.
“Rio Hondo ISD is proud to offer first class educational experiences to its students,” Superintendent Raul J. Treviño said. “In addition to the STEM initiatives thriving at Rio Hondo ISD, we strive to impact students with meaningful experiences that create clear education and career pathways.”
The In-Flight Educational Event also equipped students with hands-on activities and resources about space exploration via the Smithsonian Learning Lab, an online education platform.
During the livestream, 7th grade student Melissa Moreno asked Rubio about the most mesmerizing thing he has seen from the International Space Station.
Rubio said the earth and its colors are incredible, especially the blues of the ocean.
“I think the flight engineer’s response about the ocean and its colors and shades was awesome because the different shades really bring out the ocean,” Moreno said. “There are different oceans, and it must be neat to be able to see the different colors and shades of each.”
Third grade student Dominic Adame asked about the interesting things he could do with water in space.
In response, Rubio demonstrated how water freely floats in a low gravity environment.
Adame said it made him happy to learn about water and gravity from a NASA Astronaut.
The In-Flight Educational Event is available to view via YouTube.
