Students make long distance call to space station

Westwood student Francois Marais joined several other students in an interview with Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques (right) from the International Space Station during the Canada-wide Science Fair in Fredericton, N.B. Photos supplied by the Fort McMurray Public School District and NASA respectively.

One can only imagine the bill for this long distance call!

Westwood Community High School (WCHS) students joined others from across Canada at the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) in Fredericton, N.B.

During the fair, students could call the International Space Station and chat with Canadian astronaut, David Saint-Jacques.

WCHS student Francois Marais chosen along one of several kids to ask Saint-Jacques questions about life in space.

Marais asked if the effects of time were different for astronauts high above the planet Earth.

“If you look very, very precisely, yes.” Said David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency. “Here on the [ISS], we are 400 kilometres above the ground. Time goes by a little slower, but it’s a fraction of a second over the length of my expedition.”

While aboard the ISS, Saint-Jacques is one of six international astronauts conducting medical, environmental, and time-based research.

Four students from Westwood high school represented “Team Wood Buffalo” at the CWSF.