STEM

Houston Students To Meet Astronauts To Chat About Space Medicine

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 04/22/15

Nearly 200 students from the DeBakey High School for Health Professions will head to the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) for "STEM On-and-Off the Planet," an event designed to encourage students to enter STEM fields.

Students from the Houston Independent School District magnet school will have the opportunity to listen to current and former astronauts answer questions such as, "How does space travel affect your health? How do astronauts sleep in space? What do astronauts eat in space? How do astronauts exercise in space," according to a news release.

"Students who have already expressed an interest in the health professions will have the unique, up-close opportunity to tour the NSBRI's Consolidated Research Facility," said Amanda Hackler, head of career development and outreach at NSBRI and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Space Medicine, in a prepared statement. "Students will be able to talk directly with astronauts who have experienced what happens to the body in space and who can attest to the very real need for more scientific study of addressing health issues faced by space explorers."