Pinellas students make long-distance call to space station

ST. PETERSBURG — Fifteen Pinellas County students made a really, really long distance call Thursday morning — to the space station.

The students, chosen from elementary, middle and high schools, asked astronauts questions for 20 minutes starting at about 11:40 a.m.

"Oh my gosh, it was mind-blowing, it really was,'' said Donisha Pate, 15, a 10th grader at St. Petersburg Collegiate High. "Not everyone gets this opportunity, this chance to be able to talk to someone in outer space.''

Donisha, who asked the astronauts about robotics, said it changed her outlook on astronauts because she realizes now how much research and exploration they are doing. "They're making history, which is mind-blowing,'' she said.

Charissa Lenis asked whether the astronauts could see the Gulf oil spill, and was told that they could before it was capped.

The students spent part of the morning at the Pinellas Science Center practicing the questions they plan to ask flight engineers Doug Wheelock, Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Shannon Walker from the International Space Station more than 200 miles above the earth.

The first question was asked by Sephie Cooper, a ninth grader at Shorecrest Prep who wants to the astronauts what they think is the most important accomplishments of the space shuttle program.

Cody Kronz, a seventh grader at Meadowlawn Middle, wants to ask whether an explosion can happen in space even though there's no oxygen. He said he thought of the question while watching the Military Channel and watching a lot of things blow up.

Earlier Thursday there were several science demonstrations for the students and talks by former space shuttle astronaut Bob Springer.

The event was free and open to the public, but those who couldn't make it to the Science Center could watchstreaming video on NASA's website.

Up to 400 students, educators and others are expected to witness the cosmic chat in the auditorium at the Science Center, 7701 22nd Ave. N in St. Petersburg.

Curtis Krueger, St. Petersburg Times Staff Writer