JSL in Space

On 8 December 2022, at roughly 12:09 PM, students, staff, a group of parents and members of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) gathered in a classroom at Junior School Leidschenveen for a direct radio link between the amateur radio station set up in the classroom and the amateur station on board the International Space Station (ISS).

In the classroom, everyone counted down the seconds, in excited anticipation. After months of preparation, the satellites, mounted on the school for the occasion, connected, and the room filled with the sounds of static, a beep, the radio operator’s call sign, and then, “Do you read? Over.” A breathless second passed, and the voice of NASA Astronaut Josh Cassada (Captain, U.S. Navy, PhD) greeted the school, “Welcome aboard the International Space Station!”.

16 students aged 4 to 11, dressed in their ‘JSL in Space’ t-shirts designed for the occasion by Year 6 students during Enterprise Week, confidently asked Dr Cassada their prepared questions to learn what it is like to live and work in space while the rest of JSL watched from another room. For approximately 11 minutes (the duration that the ISS is within range of the satellite link), space exploration was not theoretical; it was real and brought to life inside the students’ own school!

In the weeks leading up to the radio link, the students learnt about space and satellite radio communication through classroom activities, guest speakers from the European Space Agency, European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) and TU Delft, rocket launching competitions, singing and performing space-themed songs.

Providing experiences and opportunities both inside and outside the classroom that capture students’ imagination and engage them in their learning is a hallmark of the education offered at the BSN. At the heart of our mission is the experience that every child in our care. The environment, school culture and personalised approach to teaching and learning encourage students to be curious, pursue their interests and ultimately spark a lifelong love of learning. ■

A Staff Dedicated to Providing the Best for Our Students

Providing the best experience for each student is possible through the commitment and resolve shown by the staff and teachers. The live contact with the International Space Station is a fantastic example of this dedication and how everyone at the school contributes to creating exceptional student experiences.

Nearly two years prior, a parent approached Dave Onley, a member of the JSL Concierge team, upon learning of his experience and interest in radio.

Dave first became interested in broadcast radio while in secondary school in Melbourne where he and several friends started an amateur radio club and had their own broadcast and amateur radio station. Since then, radio has been part of his daily life, and he shares his passion for it via blogs and photos.

When a parent approached Mr Onley to share that she had read about ARISS, a volunteer group working with NASA that chose a limited number of schools (following an application process) each year to set up contact with the ISS, he was delighted with the possibility.

I went to chat to Barbara [van Duijne, a Year 6 teacher] about this and a plan was hatched. It remains one of the best moments I have experienced in my hobby!

The collaboration between Dave, the teachers and staff at JSL, the parent community and the ARISS team led to an unforgettable moment for the whole community. It also highlights what sets our community apart: the willingness to go above and beyond for the benefit of the students.