How astronauts bridge the gap between orbit and the classroom

Space · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While orbiting Earth, Expedition 39 Flight Engineers Rick Mastracchio and Steve Swanson engaged in a live downlink with students in Idaho. This educational event, part of NASA's Teaching From Space program, aims to strengthen STEM learning by using the unique environment of the International Space Station to inspire the next generation of scientists.

On May 6, 2014, NASA astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Steve Swanson connected via a live broadcast from the International Space Station (ISS) to students and educators at Boise State University in Idaho. The event focused on the realities of living and working in space. Former astronaut Barbara Morgan joined the talk; she travelled via the Endeavour STS-118 mission during 2007 and now acts as a university educator-in-residence. The session was broadcast via NASA Television. This discussion occurred during the final stages of Mastracchio's six-month mission.

The initiative is a component of NASA's Teaching From Space program, which seeks to improve STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education through partnerships with the academic community. To prepare for the downlink, Boise State students known as the "Space Broncos" developed educational demonstrations for Swanson to perform while in orbit and managed a dedicated social media presence. The program aims to foster learning through the unique conditions of human spaceflight. This approach builds strong links with the wider education community.

The connection highlights the evolving relationship between space exploration and academia. For instance, Steve Swanson’s ties to Boise State grew significantly during his mission; while still aboard the ISS, he was named a Professor of Practice by the university. Swanson, who has been an astronaut since 1998, has a diverse flight history, including a 2007 Atlantis shuttle mission that covered 5.8 million miles in 14 days and a 2009 Discovery shuttle mission that traveled 5.3 million miles in 13 days. Swanson served as a flight engineer for the Expedition 39 mission. He was scheduled to assume command of the station during Expedition 40.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• How orbiting astronauts bridge the gap between the space station and Earth's classrooms
• Bridging the Orbit: Students Connect Directly with Astronauts in Space
• How a live conversation from orbit shapes classroom learning
• How astronauts bridge the gap between Earth classrooms and the stars
• How NASA connects students directly with astronauts living and working in orbit
• Inside the high-stress testing facilities preparing Hubble for its next mission
• The logistics of living in a laboratory orbiting 250 miles above Earth
• NASA's asteroid sample return capsule lands safely after causing significant concern for engineers
• Living in a six-bedroom house 250 miles above the Earth
• How NASA prepares astronauts for the extreme environment of a spacewalk in low-Earth orbit
• Experience the depths of space through your own red-cyan 3D glasses
• The $1.6 billion shift from government fleets to private space taxis

More in Space agencies · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics