Contributed byForest LakeElementary School

Photo courtesy of Forest Lake Elementary School Astronaut Bill McArthur speaks with students at Forest Lake Elementary School

Forest Lake Elementary School students had a fabulous launch as they began their three year partnership with NASA. Astronaut Bill McArthur, who spent six months on the International Space Station and was a part of three shuttle missions was the speaker, spoke to the children about the importance of teachers in their lives. He gave credit to his science and math teachers who inspired him in school. McArthur also gave a powerpoint presentation that took the students with him to the International Space Station where they "met" his Russian counterpart.

McArthur told the students about how he and the Russian astronaut shared traditions related to Thanksgiving and Christmas while on board the station. He also told the students he was able to call and email from space. He then showed the students NASA's ideas for the future.

The students were mesmerized especially when McArthur jumped off the stage and began to walk around in the audience in his flight overalls.

Senator Joel Lourie introduced another guest speaker, Steve Jurczyk, deputy director of the NASA Langley Research Center. Deputy Jurczyk told the students to study hard and aim high. He told them about taking math and engineering courses which led him to NASA, and of the excitement and challenges of his role at Langley.

The school chorus welcomed the distinguished guests from NASA; Richland Two Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Cheryl Washington; members of the Richland Two cabinet; members of the school board; district office staff members; and other honored guests.

The chorus, under the direction of Angela Powers, sang A New Day and We Are the People of the Twenty-First Century.

Guests were treated to breakfast and a special edition of the daily news show, "Forest Lake Today." The guests then toured the school where they saw "science in action" in all classrooms.