In a first for St. Johns County, Freedom Crossing Academy turned its cafeteria into a launch pad for curiosity on Tuesday. More than 90 students from first to eighth grade gathered to hear two NASA astronauts answer their questions via a live video link from the International Space Station.
NASA astronauts join the classroom
The astronauts were Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman to live and work on the ISS, and Luke Delaney, a University of North Florida alumnus who grew up in Volusia County. Both answered rapid‑fire queries ranging from the funniest moments aboard the station to their favorite activities while orbiting Earth.
Watkins recalled a crew member forgetting about micro‑gravity during a meal, causing food to float everywhere, while Delaney said his favorite pastime is simply floating and looking out the station’s windows.
Students inspired to reach for the stars
Seventh‑grader Keira, who described herself as a “space nerd,” declared, “I am going to be an astronaut.” Fifth‑grader Pearl called the experience “mind‑boggling,” and sixth‑grader Lily added it was “exciting, cool, and amazing.”
When asked how living in space changes one’s view of Earth, Watkins explained that seeing the planet from orbit highlights its fragility and the thinness of the atmosphere, reminding us that humanity is a small part of a shared system that must be cared for.
How the event came together
The opportunity began more than a year ago when former principal Melissa Lime, a longtime fan of NASA’s work, pursued the school district’s participation in NASA’s In‑Flight STEM Downlinks program. After the district’s application was approved, nearly 100 students submitted pre‑recorded questions. From those, 24 were selected to ask the astronauts directly.
Principal Cassandra Hurst told the assembled crowd, “You might be the next astronaut we’re talking to.” The enthusiasm in the room suggested she might be right.
Community impact
Beyond the excitement, the event underscores Freedom Crossing Academy’s commitment to STEM education and the broader community’s support for scientific literacy. By linking local students with national space explorers, the school reinforces the value of curiosity, hard work, and faith in God‑given talents.
Local families, teachers and volunteers praised the partnership with NASA, noting that experiences like this help students see the relevance of classroom learning to real‑world discovery.
Looking ahead
Freedom Crossing plans to build on the momentum with additional space‑themed projects, field trips and guest speakers. The school hopes to inspire more young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and to keep the conversation about stewardship of God’s creation alive in the classroom.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
