NASA has announced that on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, students from Richmond Hill High School in Queens, New York, will have a unique opportunity to connect with NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers.
This 20-minute space-to-Earth call, scheduled for 12 p.m. EDT, will feature the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) responding to prerecorded questions about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The event will be streamed live on NASA+ and various social media platforms, allowing everyone to witness this inspiring exchange.
Richmond Hill High School, a public school in Queens South, District 27, is hosting the event. Its goal is to spark curiosity and passion for STEM among students and their families, inspiring the next generation of explorers to pursue careers in fields vital to space exploration and scientific discovery.
This live interaction with astronauts living and working in space will bring classroom lessons to life in an extraordinary way.
For over 24 years, the ISS has served as a floating laboratory where astronauts conduct groundbreaking research and test new technologies.
This event showcases how their work not only deepens our understanding of space but also benefits life on Earth. From developing new materials to studying human health in microgravity, the experiments on the ISS are laying the groundwork for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Q&A session will be streamed on NASA+, the agency’s free streaming platform, making it accessible to anyone with an internet connection. NASA has also provided details on how to watch its content across various platforms, including social media, ensuring that students, educators, and space enthusiasts worldwide can join in.
The broadcast offers a chance to see real-time communication between Earth and the ISS, made possible by NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Near Space Network, which keeps astronauts connected to Mission Control in Houston 24/7.
Anne McClain, a seasoned astronaut, is on her second mission to the ISS. With a background in the U.S. Army and over 200 days in space from her first mission, she brings a wealth of experience to the Expedition 72 crew.
Nichole Ayers, a U.S. Air Force major and pilot, is on her first spaceflight as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission, which launched on March 14, 2025. Together, they represent the Artemis Generation astronauts preparing humanity for deeper space exploration.
This event is part of NASA’s broader Artemis campaign, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually send them to Mars. By engaging with students, McClain and Ayers are helping to inspire young minds who could one day contribute to these ambitious missions. Research on the ISS, such as testing lunar lander technologies and studying plant growth in space, is building the foundation for these future endeavors.
Richmond Hill High School’s initiative aligns with NASA’s goal of promoting STEM education. Seeing real astronauts answer student questions bridges the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, demonstrating how STEM careers can lead to extraordinary opportunities like living on a space station 250 miles above Earth.
Media interested in covering the event must contact Lilly Donaldson at Lily@arttechnically.org by 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 24, 2025. This deadline ensures that journalists can coordinate with NASA and the school to capture this milestone moment for the Queens community and beyond.
Since its first crew arrived in 2000, the ISS has been a symbol of human ingenuity and international cooperation. Q&A sessions like this not only highlight its scientific contributions but also remind us of its role in inspiring future generations. As NASA prepares to explore deeper into the solar system, engaging students today ensures that the United States remains a leader in space exploration.
Don’t miss the chance to see Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers connect with students from the ISS on March 26 at 12 p.m. EDT on NASA+. Tune in and witness the power of STEM education in action. The next astronaut might just be watching from a classroom in Queens!