SCN CONNECTS LA RONGE STUDENTS WITH SPACE SHUTTLE ASTRONAUT

Saskatchewan Communications Network, today, used its satellite technology to connect northern Saskatchewan students with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dave Williams during the current Endeavour space shuttle mission.

SCN's E-Learning Network provided a live video link from NASA to Northlands College in La Ronge, enabling up to 300 students from four local schools to see and ask questions of Williams in real time. The special event was arranged by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Saskatchewan Learning and the Saskatchewan Research Network. It was originally planned for tomorrow but the decision to end the space mission early due to concerns about a storm connected with Hurricane Dean possibly disrupting the landing back on earth meant the link-up was brought forward to today.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our Northern youth to talk live to an astronaut in space in real time, so thank you to the Canadian Space Agency for this amazing event," Minister of Northern Affairs Joan Beatty said on behalf of Premier Calvert and her cabinet colleagues. "Our gratitude, as well, goes to our Saskatchewan communications agencies for helping to make it happen. They make sure that young people throughout the province are part of our wired world."

Saskatoon-born Dave Williams believes that space is an excellent platform from which to teach science, and the CSA has developed educational materials to support Grades 5 - 12 teachers with science courses. There is only one Canadian school downlink for this entire mission: La Ronge was selected because of its remote location and Williams's passion to encourage northern students to study science and technology.

"I hear the La Ronge students have been excited all summer while waiting for this special event, and SCN is also excited to work with CSA and NASA to facilitate this rare opportunity," SCN's president and CEO Ken Alecxe said. "This is what SCN does with our satellite technology: we connect Saskatchewan people to opportunities that let us share a world of ideas, wherever we live and work."

SCN's satellite network connects business, learners and communities to opportunities for interactive televised instruction, professional development and broadband access to the Internet. In partnership with Saskatchewan Learning and educational institutions throughout the province, SCN's E-Learning Network delivers credit courses to more than 3,300 students each year. To learn more about SCN, please visit www.scn.ca. For more information about the space shuttle mission and the CSA, please visit www.space.gc.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Ranjan Thakre
Saskatchewan Communications Network
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0490
Email: rthakre@scn.ca
Cell: 306-539-5769