Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield hosted a real-time web conference, Oct. 16, broadcasting an hour-long question and answer session to 60 French and French immersion schools across the country.
Decked out in the blue jumpsuit of the Canadian space program, and sporting his signature moustache, Hadfield sat like a friendly dad on a stool at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa.
Across the country students crowded in front of projector screens for a chance to hear the former commander of the International Space Station give the skinny on life in space.
Hadfield conducted the session entirely in French, answering about 15 questions from students scattered across the country.
脡cole Desrochers鈥� own Steven Saunders was one of those kids.
He was given the honour after his question was selected from the thousands submitted to the National Film Board, who set up the 鈥渧irtual classroom.鈥�
When his time came, Saunders wowed the astronaut by asking him a question he had never before been asked in his career.
鈥淨uelle est l鈥檃ctivit茅 ou la t芒che la plus difficile 脿 faire dans l鈥檈space mais qui facile 脿 faire sur terre?鈥� he asked, which translates to: what is the activity that is hardest to do in space, but easy to do on earth?
With a smile that seemed to come not just from his mouth, but his entire face, Hadfield told Saunders that tying his shoes in space gave him some of the most trouble.
After Hadfield鈥檚 talk, a grinning Saunders remembered the moment.
He said he was incredibly nervous before asking his question, but that it was amazing to hear Hadfield say his name, and directly answer a question he had asked him.
Jocelyn Nadeau is the high school teacher at 脡cole Desrochers who organized the school鈥檚 participation in the event.
When he found out about the opportunity he jumped at the chance to get his school involved.
鈥淚 was very impressed with his achievements but even more so by his personality and his message. I thought is was worth exposing our students to such a great role model and giving them a chance to interact with him online,鈥� he said.
He was even more excited when he found out Saunders would get to ask the astronaut a question.
鈥淔or the last week, every time I saw Steven in the hallway I would say 鈥業鈥檓 Chris Hadfield,鈥� and he would have to ask me his question,鈥� he said.
Saunders didn鈥檛 have much to say to that, still relishing his moment with Hadfield.
鈥淚t was cool just seeing him,鈥� Saunders said.
Trevor Nichols
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