Ottawa students meet Canadian astronauts Jeremy Hansen and Jenni Gibbons
Grade 5 and 6 students in Ottawa are learning what it takes to be an astronaut.
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
On Wednesday, about 30 grade students from Rockcliffe Park Public School took part in an event with speakers and Canadian astronauts Jeremy Hansen and Jenni Gibbons.
Grade 5 student Chloe Plamondon said it was an exciting experience.
"It's crazy. It's kind of out of this world," she said. "I feel like I could look up to them."
Students learned about Hansen and Gibbons and the Artemis II mission to the moon.
The students shared they are feeling inspired about space travel.
"If I had the chance to go to space, I'd probably be very scared, nervous, but I’d take any chance I could to do that,” said Grade 5 student Hannah Salminen.
Jeremy Hansen said it's important for him to share his experiences with kids and to encourage them to set goals for themselves.
"They don’t have to be career goals, but set goals for yourself. Expect some challenges, expect some setbacks. But if you've shared it with other people, they're going to pick you up," Hansen told CTV News.
"They're going to show you the way and you'll be able to accomplish amazing and personally meaningful things."
Gibbons agreed.
"Even if it might seem hard and challenging, I want you to set that goal, tell people about it who can help you and work toward it," she said.
The presentation was part of Actua’s National Conference. Actua is Canada’s largest Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) outreach organization.
“I love that they shared how they failed and how they picked themselves back up and kept going,” said Actua's CEO, Jennifer Flanagan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.