North Allegheny students prepare for 'downlink party' with astronaut Woody Hoburg, an NA grad

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to add the NASA downlink.

This party will be out of this world.

A NASA Education Downlink Party, featuring astronaut and North Allegheny grad Dr. Warren “Woody” Hoburg, will take place at Marshall Middle School on April 27 at 1:30 p.m. For those who want to watch, the downlink is https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive.

Hoburg and his fellow astronauts at the International Space Station will answer in real-time pre-recorded questions from NA students about what it’s like in space. The event will be broadcast to all schools, according to Brandi Smith, NA spokesperson.

The downlink will utilize pre-recorded videos featuring NA students. Astronauts will respond to questions on-air but the crew does not see or hear the on-site audience. Downlinks are approximately 20 minutes, and astronauts will answer approximately 15 questions.

The public is invited to attend a public viewing party at Marshall Middle School on Wexford Run Road.

A RSVP is required at https://nasd.school/NA-NASA-Event.

The district is working with each school to plan a watch party for students April 27. The science department and students and teachers from North Allegheny Television Production, a student club, are visiting several schools to film students asking questions.

“To say that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our students to talk to an astronaut on the International Space Station is an understatement. Knowing that this astronaut also happens to be a graduate of North Allegheny turns it into a life lesson for our students. Seeing video and reading about the work that Woody is doing and knowing that he sat in these same classrooms shows our students that anything is possible,” said science department Chair Chris Omasits.

Omasits added there’s no such thing as going to college to major in “astronaut.”

“Woody and his colleagues have all had very different journeys to get there. By sharing his experience with us, Woody is helping our students see that traits like ambition and creativity are just as important as the rich science content that is taught every day in our classrooms,” Omasits said.