The ISS-ABOVE supports STEM education in schools
YOUR STUDENTS WILL FEEL LIKE ASTRONAUTS ON A SPACE WALK
ISS-Above tells them where the Space Station is, when they can see it, how fast it’s moving and shows them Earth from ‘up there’ in space.
Where did it all start?
Back in November 2013, I wanted to create a gift for my grandkids from their “geek” grandpa. With a Raspberry Pi, some programming talent and a passion for space, the ISS-Above was born. Today, there are ISS-ABOVEs all over the world.
Connect your students to the International Space Station to increase their interest in STEM
“Using the ISS-Above to connect students to space science has added one more interest mechanism with which to hook their interest. I now have students tell me that “Mom has an app on her iPhone to find the ISS!” and “My dad and I saw the ISS fly over when we were in Mexico!” and “Can we see who is on board right now?” and “When is it flying over Tahoe next?” are the kinds of comments I get all the time. I have even had a few parents tell me that their student is turned on to space science. It also was an EASY way to hook kids into the special nature of Scott Kelly’s experiences, and I see the same kinds of excitement about space that I remember feeling at their age about the Apollo missions... then as a young teacher about the shuttle missions.”
What is it?
Today, the International Space Station (ISS) is the only human-habitable environment off the surface of the Earth. Crew missions started in 2000 conducting experiments, making observations and adding to our knowledge about how to survive in space and contributing to all kinds of scientific breakthroughs in many areas.
When the ISS-ABOVE is hooked to a TV, students discover:
• How often the Space Station is in your skies - 5-8 times every day
• When and where to look to look if there’s a visible pass
• Who’s up there right now
• What the orbit of the Space Station looks like and where it is right now
• Lots of stats and data about the Space Station's orbit, speed and current location
• What the astronauts see when they look out their windows
What do students see?
Students will enjoy:
• Informational screens: orbits, speed, position, current crew, news updates
• Live video from the Space Station external cameras when in daylight
What do I get?
Included in your shipment are:
• ISS-Above software preinstalled (pre-configured for your location if you order online)
• Raspberry Pi – B in its own transparent case, with power supply and included WiFi
• PiGlow flashing RGB LED display - lets you know when the Space Station is approaching
• Quick-Start guide
• Web based setup and management of your ISS-Above
Information for Teachers
There's a lot of information on the screens of the ISS-ABOVE. You can view and download details of the screens and what everything means here.
Is it easy to set up?
Yes. You connect it to a router and to a TV, HDMI monitor or SMART Whiteboard (needs an HDMI to VGA cable). You can manage settings on your ISS-Above’s own website such as:
• Your location
• How long different screens show
• Your Tweet message to the Space Station
• Turning off the LED lights (e.g. so as not to disturb the caretaker at 3am)
DOWNLOAD a brochure.
BUY ONE (make sure to select the ISS-ABOVE HD unless you have a spare Raspberry Pi, in which case you can buy an ISS-ABOVE code on SD Card).
kim david, lee-scott academy with their iss-above
More of what teachers say:
“It's on a big screen on the wall in the library running 7x24. Everyone loves it. The other day the ISS flew over Florida which students could make out on the video. It has been a huge success!”
“Have the ISS-ABOVE streaming all the time allows our students to see real time images from the ISS. It teaches them geography by providing information where the ISS is located.”
“It has helped make my students aware that the ISS is constantly orbiting and that there are student designed experiments aboard. It’s a very worth- while device to install in every school.”
“This is a great device for students to interact with on a daily basis to gain a better perspective as to as to who is on the ISS, where it is and what it is that they see from there. I have students that come in every day to see what things look like from space that particular day.”
“Using the ISS-ABOVE to connect students to space science has added one more interest mechanism with which to hook their interest. I now have students tell me that "Mom has an app on her iPhone to find the ISS!" and "My dad and I saw the ISS fly over when we were in Mexico!" and "Can we see who is on board right now?" and "When is it flying over Tahoe next?" It also was an EASY way to hook kids into the special nature of Scott Kelly's experiences, and I see the same kinds of excitement about space that I remember feeling at their age about the Apollo missions... then as a young teacher about the shuttle missions.”
“I think it is WONDERFUL. Many students aren't aware of the fact that we currently have people living in space. This has been a great way for me to introduce them to space.”
Some of our schools across the US
@CentaurusISS High School – Lafayette, CO
Allen Academy, Bryan TX
Awty International School, Houston TX
Bell Middle School, Golden, CO
Bethlehem High School in Fredericktown, PA
Campbell Hall School, North Hollywood, CA
Castle Manor, Haverhill, Suffolk, UK
Center for Space Education , Kennedy Space Center, FL
Del Cerro Elementary School, Mission Viejo, CA
Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana, CA
Duchesne Academy in Houston, TX
East Middle School, Traverse City, MI
Elizabeth Forward Middle School, Elizabeth, PA
Flintridge Prep School, La Canada, CA
Forest Lake Elementary, Columbia, SC
Francis X. Collins Middle School in Salem, MA
Friends School, San Francisco, CA
Geneva City School District
Geographisches Institut
Glenshire Elementary, Truckee, CA
Hajjar and Kennedy Elementary Schools
Halstow Primary School
Harambee Prep School, Pasadena, CA
Irving Middle School, Norman Public Schools, OK
Jackson Middle School, Champlin, MN
John Roan School, Greenwich, UK
Lakewood High School, Lakewood, CO
Lawrence Middle School, Chatsworth, CA
Lee-Scott Academy, Auburn, AL
Longfellow Elementary, Pasadena, CA
Longfellow Middle School, Norman, OK
Malvern Prep School, Malvern, PA
Manteca USD, Manteca, CA
McGill School of Success, San Diego, CA
Milken Upper School, Los Angeles, CA
Millikan Middle School, Sherman Oaks, CA.
Milton Area High School, Milton, PA
Museum of Science and Technology
New Horizon School Pasadena, CA
Newport Heights Elementary, Newport Beach, CA
Park Century School, Culver City, CA
Peters Elementary, Garden Grove, CA
Rodriguez Elementary, Harlingen, TX
Rosemont Middle School, La Crescenta, CA
St Clare's School
St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Ridgeland, MS
Tahoe Lake Elementary, Tahoe City, CA
Talbot Innovation Middle School, Fall River, MA
Truckee Elementary, Truckee, CA
University of Wisconsin, WI
View Ridge Elementary, Seattle WA
Wiley Middle School, Winston-Salem NC
Windward School, Los Angeles, CA