It was a very exciting time at ISHCMC American Academy when we were visited by a real NASA astronaut from the United States. Dr. James Reilly has flown on 3 space missions, made 5 space walks and spent over 850 hours in space. Our parent company, the Cognita School Group flew Dr. Reilly into Vietnam to give the keynote address at our graduation. American Academy students had the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Dr. Reilly and be inspired by his amazing story as he told them, “to go beyond the horizon” and “you are only limited by the horizon you set for yourself”. He toured our classrooms, gave presentations, took photos and signed autographs for our students. Our parents were also able to meet Dr. Reilly when he was the special surprise guest at the end of the year parent function held at the Caravelle Hotel.

Using space-themed problems to launch STEM(Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities and programs, he engaged students to apply the skills and knowledge they learn in the classroom to real world 21st century problems. NASA astronaut, Dr. Reilly visited ISHCMC American Academy students to teach and inspire the young minds of the future and show science in action.

Students learned how collaboration is one of the most important 21st Century skills they will need to have to be successful in the modern world. He gave examples of his experience on the Russian space station Mir when US astronauts teamed up with Russian astronauts, called “cosmonauts” to deploy infrastructure that enabled them to build the International Space Station.

Welcome Dr. James F. Reilly28th May 2014

James Francis Reilly, II, Ph.D. (born March 18, 1954) is an American geologist and a former NASA astronaut who has �own on three space shuttle missions:

STS-89, STS-104 and STS-117.

NASA Astronaut visits ISHCMC American Academy

His experience was that the astronauts and cosmonauts may have spoken different languages and have come from different countries, but they worked together for a common purpose and mission. They found that they were more similar than different, and that they all shared a similar passion; space travel. While Mission Control in Houston and Moscow had their challenges in working together, the astronauts on the Mir were all working together in tight quarters getting to know one another as human beings. They are all still friends to this day.

Students learned the various biomechanics of daily life in space; showering, going to the bathroom, sleeping, entertainment, and eating. All of these seemingly easy tasks on the Earth take additional thought while you are in space. He explained how the astronauts move around in zero gravity as an authentic example to demonstrate Newton’s Laws of Motion. Every time an astronaut has to move from one section of the station to another they must calculate the direction and push off with opposing force to move their body to the desired location.

Students also learned that sleeping in space is easier than when you are on Earth. Astronauts can strap themselves in any location; ceiling, wall, floor and not move for the entire duration of their rest. On Earth our muscles get tired of sleeping in one position and we wake up to turn over for more comfort. In zero gravity your muscles do not get tired as you are floating in space while you sleep. Therefore you will wake up in the exact same position as when you went to sleep.

Our students were thrilled with the opportunity the meet the real life hero. Eric Hamilton, Principal of ISHCMC American Academy said, “Over this past week Dr. Reilly has ignited the flame of curiosity and exploration to inspire innovation, creativity, and the compassion to act ethically for the well-being of all. My wish is for our current, as well as all future graduates of American Academy, to build this flame into their passion and to create their own vision to benefit all humankind.”

Valerie Twomey, Director of Marketing and Admissions for our school made a very good point when she said, “We are finding out just how lucky we are to have the force of the Cognita School Group behind our school. Things are very different now than they were before Cognita. We now have so many more resources that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. What other school do you know that would pay to fly in a real NASA astronaut from the United States simply to inspire their students and give the keynote graduation address? Cognita really cares about our students and is willing to invest in our school to make sure that our students have the best education possible.”

All of us at ISHCMC American Academy would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our parent company, the Cognita School Group, for bringing Dr. Reilly to our school to give the keynote graduation address and to meet our students and parents.