It's an opportunity out of this world, and for a pair of teachers at Hilltop Elementary in Canfield, it was an educational experience written in the stars.

"I've been teaching for 27 years. I've never experienced anything like this. This is next level," says Beth Lopatta, a second-grade teacher at Hilltop Elementary in Canfield. 

Early in 2025, Lopatta was teaching her students about Sally Ride for Women's History Month, when a student alerted her that she had a relative who worked for NASA. Shortly after, an application popped up on Lopatta's phone for an educational opportunity she knew she couldn't pass up.

"The application was a lengthy process, but it was all worth it because we found out later that we're one of four schools in the whole nation that I got this opportunity per year, so we couldn't be happier," added Lopatta. 

The process began in April of 2025, but in October, the school found out it was one of four schools nationwide to be selected to participate in the ARISS program, or Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, a program in partnership with NASA. In order to be chosen, the school had to demonstrate, using a 6-month curriculum plan, how STEM learning is integrated into day-to-day learning in the classroom. 

"We are always incorporating STEM, which is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. So we're always doing hands-on projects and always looking forward to future careers, so when we were applying, that's what they were looking for, they're looking for making this happen for the kids, " says Hilltop Elementary School STEM teacher Stephanie Palumbo. 

As part of the process, Hilltop Elementary took a group of students, from Kindergarten to 4th grade, to Ward-Beecher Planetarium on the campus of Youngstown State University and to Oh Wow!. The students also got to learn about radio communication and Morse code. From there, ten students were chosen through a drawing to ask an astronaut a question live on the International Space Station in early February. If you can imagine, the students' questions cover a wide variety of topics.

What's the difference between when you're in space and on Earth?
I'm asking if there's sound in space, why or why not?
Who helps people when people get hurt in space?

Were just some of the questions the selected students will be asking the astronauts in early February. 

"It's priceless those moments when kids walk into the room and see things like the full-size astronaut, it's it it's worth it," adds Lopatta
"It's worth it. I feel like every time I tell an adult, they're like what? What do you mean you're talking to an astronaut?" says Palumbo. 

The school will find out the first week of February, when they will be speaking with the astronauts on the ISS, which will take place during the second week of February.

The students also made this into an economics project. Participating students designed t-shirts, took the orders, and will be donating proceeds to charity.