GIFFORD–March 18: NASA has chosen the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC) for its next In-flight Education Downlink. The email invitation from NASA In-Flight Education Downlinks reads - “Congratulations! Gifford Youth Center is scheduled for an In-flight Education Downlink during International Space Station Expedition 67.”
In-flight education downlinks are opportunities for students and educators to interact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station during a live, 20-minute question-and-answer session. Downlinks allow students to hear and see the crewmembers live from space. Because flight operations and crew member schedules are fluid, GYAC is tentatively scheduled for a downlink on July 6, 2022. Videos and astronaut responses will broadcast live on NASA TV and stream live on the NASA website at www.nasa.gov/nasatv.
“We are honored to have been selected by NASA to participate in Expedition 67." said GYAC’s Executive Director Angelia Perry said. "This once in a lifetime experience will be a steppingstone for GYAC students to become future STEM leaders and will no doubt inspire them to reach for the stars."
Planning for the big day has officially commenced and will include a “Living in Space, Preparing on Earth” science fair, where students will create their own science projects that match the theme of the fair. State and local elected officials will be invited and representatives from aerospace companies including L3 Harris, RedWire Space and Lockheed Martin will be present to engage with and inspire students.
Last November during the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved GYAC’s request to write letters of support to accompany their proposal to take part in the In-flight Education Downlink. In addition, the Board approved the deployment of their IT staff to assist GYAC with technical support, if needed.
One month later GYAC submitted their proposal to formally apply for NASA’s highly competitive downlink experience. Letters of support from Margaret Ingram, former 1988 Florida Teacher of the Year, Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education and CEO of the Science Institute of Discovery; Austin Jordan, Vice-President of Marketing and Communications at RedWire Space; and Indian River County’s Board of County Commissioners accompanied the proposal. GYAC finally got the good news on March 4th after weeks of hoping they'd be chosen.
“This Downlinks program would allow GYAC students to ask questions directly to the astronauts and would be an exceptional learning experience,” said County Board of Commissioners Chairman Peter O’Bryan.
The Gifford Youth Achievement Center is a a 501(c)(3) community center that opened its doors in 1998 with the sole purpose of enhancing the academic performance of children in Indian River County. In addition to year-round educational programs and activities for youth, GYAC provides activities for adults and senior citizens, such as exercise classes, bible study and educational training. The Center also hosts job fairs, health clinics, community gatherings and serves as an information hub for those in need of services.