Visit the Marketplace Expo to learn what it takes to become a Space Station Explorer! CASIS recently launched this new program that connects student communities to exciting educational opportunities on the International Space Station. You’ll gain a hands-on perspective at the Space Station Explorers exhibit through fun activities, engaging presentations, and unique displays from ISS National Laboratory education partners.

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, an ISS National Lab education partner, will host a live radio chat with the ISS in the Space Station Explorers exhibit. Local-area students will chat with astronauts about living and working in space and the importance of advancing science on the orbital laboratory.

Meet and Greet with Andrea Beaty, author of The New York Times best-selling book, “Rosie Revere, Engineer,” and autograph session at the Story Time from Space booth.

Watch astronauts on the Space Station read children’s books and perform science demonstrations! Story Time from Space offers a delightful combination of science, literacy, and entertainment through its library of free, family-friendly videos.

Both within and outside the classroom, kids and families can enjoy watching and reading along with the British, French, Japanese, and American astronauts who present these stories. Thirteen children’s books have flown to the Space Station so far.

What better way to learn about the education programs leveraging access to the ISS for students than from the student researchers themselves? Students from across the country will share their experiences with the ISS to inspire and motivate other students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The ISS is an incredible platform to facilitate student scientific inquiry and experimentation, thus providing an authentic connection to space for students.

In this interactive discussion, students will learn about different careers in the aerospace industry. While astronauts get the visibility, many other space career paths exist, from Mission Control to communications, rocket propulsion, and even exercise and nutrition! People currently working in the space industry will share what they love about their jobs, what courses and training they took, and other advice to spark student interests and help students understand the paths to these aerospace jobs.