Arizona Students Are Exploring the International Space Station

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to float in space like an astronaut?
Students at ASU Prep Polytechnic STEM Academy in Mesa are finding out—using virtual reality!

This exciting adventure is part of a year-long project called “Our Year in Orbit.” And it’s helping kids get ready for something amazing: talking live with astronauts in space!

🛰️ A Virtual Blast-Off!

These lucky students in grades K–6 are putting on special VR headsets.
In seconds, they are transported to:

  • 🚀 Kennedy Space Center
  • 🌍 Outer space
  • 🛰️ The International Space Station (ISS)

It feels like they are really there—even though their feet are still on the ground!

👩‍🚀 Life on the Space Station

Inside the ISS, students go on a guided scavenger hunt.
They explore how astronauts live and work every day.

They learn things like:

  • Where astronauts sleep 🛌
  • How they eat food 🍽️
  • How they float instead of walk 🤸

Students can move around freely and even see where their classmates are in the virtual space. It’s teamwork—in orbit!

🤔 Getting Ready to Talk to Astronauts

This space tour helps the students think of smart and curious questions.
Then, they get to talk in real time with astronauts on the ISS using radio signals.

That means kids on Earth will speak directly to people living in space.
How cool is that?!

📡 How Is This Possible?

This project is part of a program called ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station).
That’s a big name, but it means something simple: helping kids learn science and talk to astronauts using radio waves.

The program is supported by:

  • 🌠 NASA
  • 🔬 Science and space organizations
  • đź“» Amateur radio experts

All working together to bring space closer to kids.

🌟 Did You Know?

  • The ISS orbits Earth about every 90 minutes
  • Astronauts see 16 sunrises and sunsets each day
  • Virtual reality lets you explore places you can’t visit in real life
  • Kids can ask astronauts questions from their own school!

So imagine putting on a headset and floating through space.
Who knows—maybe one day you will be the astronaut answering kids’ questions from orbit! 🚀✨