NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

It's a one-in-a-million opportunity.

Image to right: Williams floats through her new home, the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

Of everyone alive today in the United States, fewer than one in a million have ever flown in space. Astronauts are a distinguished group among the nation's best and brightest. So, it might be a little difficult remembering that they too were once children and "normal" students.

For Angela DiNapoli's students at Newman Elementary School in Needham, Mass., it might be a little easier to picture. DiNapoli's class recently got the chance to talk to one of her former students -- astronaut Suni Williams, living proof of how far a Needham student can go.

Williams flew into space on the STS-116 flight of Space Shuttle Discovery in December 2006. She then began a six-month stay on the International Space Station. Among the highlights of her mission has been setting a new record. In February 2007, after completing her third spacewalk, Suni set a new record for the most time spacewalking by a woman, a total of 22 hours and 27 minutes.

Before she left Earth, Williams spoke to DiNapoli's current students through a Digital Learning Network videoconference. Two schools in New Jersey also participated in the event.

Suni praised her former teacher, stating that she is an example of how much a teacher can influence a student.

Image to left: DiNapoli visited her former student during Williams' training to become an astronaut. Credit: Angela DiNapoli

"Ms. DiNapoli always stood out as an amazing person, I think, because her classes were just so much fun," Williams said. "She had a way in the class just to get all of us interested in what we were doing and excited about what we were doing. She is just full of energy and full of excitement, and can really relate to the kids and get the kids pumped up about what they are doing. That leaves a really lasting impression when the kids can identify what they are doing and realize what they are learning about has a purpose. She is really absolutely wonderful about doing that."

If students don't think being an astronaut is a reasonable goal, then they would have something in common with a young Suni Williams. "I was a dork," Williams recalled. "I never really thought that being an astronaut was obtainable."

Williams was confident she could achieve anything she worked hard for, even becoming a veterinarian. "Just being an astronaut was so different, so far out there, I had no contact with people who were in that field. So I didn't really consider it."

Williams' teacher was sure the future astronaut had a bright career ahead of her. "Suni was very competent and showed good leadership qualities," DiNapoli recalls. "She did well in all subject areas. I remember how well she got along with her peers and how well-liked she was by all. She was an enthusiastic learner."

Image to right: DiNapoli described the young Williams as "an enthusiastic learner." Credit: NASA

In fact, DiNapoli said that she thought Williams might go on to achieve amazing success of a different kind. "Suni was always the type of student who gave 100 percent effort into all her endeavors," she said. "I remember that she was an avid swimmer. She would get up every morning bright and early and swim before she came to school. This stands out in my mind because she always came to school with her hair wet from just swimming. I thought that I would end up seeing her in the Olympics some day. It does not surprise me that she has continued to be an enthusiastic learner and determined to succeed at all she does."

Talking with Suni was a great experience for DiNapoli's pupils. "My students were so excited about talking directly to Suni," she said. "They had some excellent questions for her, which she answered in terms that fifth-graders could understand. She is a born teacher. She has a way with children."

"Since Suni's training started eight years ago, she has been sending me e-mails of her experiences. Throughout those eight years, I have shared her experiences and training with every class that I have had. So, in effect, she has been influencing my students for many years.

"One year she went into the underwater habitat for two weeks." DiNapoli said. "My class was able to see her via webcast and send questions to her live. That was exciting. Then two years ago, while home for Thanksgiving, she visited the school. We had just finished our space unit. The children were overflowing with questions for her. I think the overall impression Suni has given to students is that if she can follow her dream, then anyone can, so don't give up. She is so modest and humble. She doesn't even realize how extraordinary she actually is."

Image to left: While the Space Shuttle Discovery was docked with the space station, Williams performed assembly work outside the ISS. Credit: NASA

Williams said the message she hoped to share with the students was "You can do it."

"I think it's really hard for kids to understand what engineers do, what scientists do," she said. "That seems so far out there for them. They don't even understand what those words really mean. So when they see people [in space] doing science, doing engineering, putting things together, I think that will really touch base with them. They will be able to say 'Wow, that is something that I can do, too. She is not doing anything so crazy that I couldn't do it.'"

Related Resources + Suni Williams Journal + Suni Williams Biography + International Space Station Expedition Crews + NASA Education Web Site + NEEMO

DiNapoli's students, and the others who participated in the DLN event, will be following Williams' six-month stay on the International Space Station with great interest. Students around the world will have the same opportunity. Williams has begun a series of journals about her experience, which she plans to continue throughout her stay on the space station. Through her writings, students will be able to read a first-hand account of what it's like to live and work in space.

NASA is committed to building strategic partnerships and linkages between science, technology, engineering and mathematics formal and informal educators. Through hands-on, interactive educational activities, NASA is engaging students, educators, families, the public and all agency stakeholders to increase Americans' science and technology literacy. NASA in-flight education downlinks are coordinated by the Teaching From Space Project.

David Hitt/NASA Educational Technology Services