NASA and JAXA astronauts will answer student questions from New York and Ohio live from space, inspiring interest in STEM careers and space exploration.
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| NASA’s Nichole Ayers and JAXA’s Takuya Onishi will speak to U.S. students from orbit, encouraging the Artemis Generation through live STEM engagement. Image: NASA |
WASHINGTON, USA – May 17, 2025:
NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are teaming up to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by bringing space closer to classrooms in the United States. In two upcoming live events, astronauts Nichole Ayers (NASA) and Takuya Onishi (JAXA) will respond to pre-recorded questions from middle and high school students in New York and Ohio, directly from aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The first event will take place on Tuesday, May 20, at 10:20 a.m. EDT with Long Beach Middle School students in Lido Beach, New York (grades 6–8).
The second event is scheduled for Friday, May 23, at 11 a.m. EDT, featuring students from Vermilion High School in Vermilion, Ohio (grades 9–12).
Both 20-minute Earth-to-space calls will be broadcast live on the NASA STEM YouTube Channel, offering a public opportunity to witness this rare and exciting interaction.
The events aim to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers and deepen student understanding of space exploration. Long Beach Middle School focuses on integrating real-world science into education, while Vermilion High School hopes to spark long-term interest in technology and innovation.
For over 24 years, astronauts aboard the ISS have conducted research, developed new technologies, and advanced spaceflight capabilities. These engagements not only support missions like NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually reach Mars, but also help build the Artemis Generation — today’s students who may one day explore the solar system.
NASA’s SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network ensures 24/7 communication between the ISS and Earth, enabling events like these and supporting mission-critical operations.
These student-astronaut exchanges are more than just Q&As — they’re launching pads for dreams, learning, and future exploration. As the world looks to space for solutions and inspiration, connecting students with astronauts remains one of the most impactful tools in shaping the next era of discovery.