Tomsk State Pedagogical University

The fourth space lesson at TSPU

The fourth “Space lesson” took place on 20th of September in studio of Tomsk public TV company with support from the TSPU specialists.

This time invited guests, as well as the main participants of the project - schoolchildren of the Tomsk region, the city of Korolev, Moscow region, pupils of the Educational Center for Gifted Children "Sirius" (Sochi), as well as the winners of the All-Russian Youth Competition of Scientific and Technical Works "Youth Orbit" – have discussed the "Smart Materials for Space".

During the lesson there was a live laboratory experiment, and teachers of the Tomsk state pedagogical together with scientists of the Institute of Strength Physics and Materials of Tomsk State Polytechnic university helped school students to figure it out.

The experts were invited to answer the questions from school students - twice Hero of the Soviet Union - Pilot-Cosmonaut No. 57, Flight Director of the ISS Vladimir Solovyov; Adviser to the General Director of the Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, Honored Designer of the Russian Federation Alexander Chernyavsky and outstanding Russian scientist in the field of catalysis and chemical methods of energy conversion, winner of the Global Energy Prize, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Valentin Parmon.

According to the tradition the “Space lesson” ended with a traditional communication session with the Russian section of the International Space Station.

During the live dialogue with schoolchildren, cosmonauts Sergei Ryazansky and Alexander Misurkin discussed the possibilities of using "smart" materials in space, and also answered a number of questions. The students were interested in the materials the ISS was made of, whether cosmonauts are participating in the "Test" experiment, how is the ISS hull checked for strength and for malfunctions. The children also asked about their possible future career in the space industry. They talked with cosmonauts and about creativity, hoping that they will: "Take a picture of Tomsk from space!"