STS-120 CREW MEET ITALIAN STUDENTS IN
On
Schools attending the event were: “La Sapienza”
University with 150 students from Aerospace Engineering degree, “Alberto Sordi” Secondary School in
Moreover all schools involved in recent ARISS events/contacts were
present: “Giosuč Carducci”
Secondary School from Santa Marinella (30 students),
“Galileo Galilei” High School from Civitavecchia (65 students), Faculty of Engineering from University
of L’Aquila (50 students) and representatives from
ITIS “Mottura” of Caltanisetta,
IIS “Deambrosis- Natta” of Sestri Levante, IIS “Vittorio Emanulele” of Genova, IIS “Maserati” of Voghera (15 students). Audience amounted to 590 students!
After opening talks from the “Magnifico Rettore” of “La Sapienza” University
and from Italian Space Agency (ASI) representatives, the crew was presented to the
students. The crew presented a detailed description of their mission, supported
by splendid videos. The importance and the role of educational activities during
space missions was highlighted by all crewmembers. The
official STS-120 video gives full visibility to ARISS schools contacts. Thank
you STS-120 crew!
Some time was devoted to let the crew answer questions from students.
The crew were offered gifts from every school
involved. Paolo Nespoli, Pamela Melroy and Clay Anderson received a “special” QSL-card from schools/universities which
participated to the ARISS contacts.
The event lasted more than two hours in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and
sympathy. Special guest was Princess Elettra Marconi.
Several TV stations and newspapers covered the event.
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Francesco De Paolis, IKŘWGF, ARISS mentor
