Queens, NY – The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) will host first- and second-grade students from Corona District PS28 THURSDAY, MAY 16 FROM 1130 TO NOON for a live conversation with NASA Astronaut Jeannette Epps from the International Space station.

Local first and second grade students pre-submitted audio questions for the conversation earlier this month. NASA Astronaut Epps, a board member of the New York Hall of Science, will answer those during a live stream video call from space.

Born in Syracuse, Dr. Epps launched into space and joined the Expedition 71 crew on the Space station in March.

Dr. Jeanette J. Epps was selected by NASA in 2009 as an astronaut. Born in Syracuse, she completed astronaut candidate training which included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalk training, robotics, T-38 flight training and wilderness survival training. She is serving as a flight engineer aboard the orbiting laboratory and will spend approximately 6 months conducting science experiments and maintaining the space station.

About NYSCI

The mission of the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is to nurture generations of passionate learners, critical thinkers and active citizens through an approach called Design, Make, Play. Design, Make, Play emphasizes open-ended exploration, imaginative learning and personal relevance, resulting in deep engagement and delight in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. NYSCI was founded at the 1964-65 World’s Fair and has evolved into a local, global and impactful center for interactive science:

· 400,000 annual visitors.

· 1 million learners worldwide use NYSCI’s digital products.

· 3,000 local teachers participate in professional development each year.

· 1,000 high-school and college students benefit from mentoring opportunities in STEM fields every year.

· 95 percent of the more than 4,000 young people participating in NYSCI’s Science Career Ladder program over the last three decades have gone on to college.

· 70 percent of the Science Career Ladder alumni work in STEM fields.

For more information, visit nysci.org. Follow NYSCI on Twitter and Instagram: @nysci, and on Facebook at: facebook.com/nysci.