Former Astronaut and Oak Harbor resident Heidimarie Stefanyshyn-Piper surprised Ms. Fisken's math class at North Whidbey Middle School on Tuesday, February 21, 2024. Ms. Fisken organized the visit following a class assignment that was focused on solving an algebra problem for NASA. When Stefanyshyn-Piper arrived in class, the students exclaimed with excitement about the surprise visit.

Stefanyshyn-Piper began her career in the military as a deep sea diver for the Navy before becoming an astronaut for NASA. During her time with NASA, she visited space twice and did five space walks! She shared the importance of what they are learning in school now and how they could use math in a future career, while also sharing advice on how to become an astronaut. Students asked her a range of questions from what her career path was to how to use the restroom in space! 

We want to share a special thank you to Heidimarie Stefanyshyn-Piper for volunteering her time to answer student questions and inspire the next generation of astronauts!