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In the News

In the News: Da Vinci Science Center and NASA team up for exclusive Q&A with astronaut in outer space

February 5, 2026

Excerpt from story by Sara Madonna at WFMZ 69 News

It was an event out of this world!

Astronaut Chris Williams answered students questions from the Lehigh Valley live from the International Space Station in an exclusive broadcast, brought to them thanks to The Da Vinci Science Center and NASA.

Ann Bebout, Assistant Director of STEAM Education at Da Vinci Science Center said, “The Science Center last year submitted a grant to NASA for a downlink and it was pretty cool that we got it, because they don’t actually do very many of these.”

Kids were invited to submit questions last fall and selected kids to come back and record their questions. Those recorded questions were then submitted to NASA.

“This event was really fun because I don’t think most kids have thought a whole lot about The International Space Station,” said Bebout.

Many questions were centered around what it’s like to live in space.

4th and 5th grade students from Central Elementary and Zephyr Elementary experienced it at the Science Center while others watched from their local classrooms.

Felipe Maldonado, Astronomy and Physical Science Educator at Da Vinci Science Center said, “It’s very rewarding to see them interested in the natural world. When they see something they don’t expect, like the size of the moon in relation to earth.”

Organizers hoped the experience was more than just educational.

Hoda Ehsan, Chief Learning Officer at Da Vinci Science Center said, “I think one thing kids can take from this experience is that the sky is the limit. They can do anything they want in their lives.”

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