Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 09/99) - Young students from Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet gained national attention for themselves when their question was selected to be asked to Quebec astronaut Julie Payette while she was onboard the International Space Station this past week.

Merv Tulloch, a computer teacher at Leo Ussak school, said The Canadian Space Agency collected questions from school children across Canada to ask Payette. There were five questions chosen to be asked during a planned down link with the space shuttle.

"They asked our school because we participated in it last year and they choose our question this year as the best submitted," said Tulloch. "The questions were to be answered live on Canada's School Net and the Canadian Space Agency's Web site, but technical difficulties prevented that from happening."

The Leo Ussak students asked Payette, "Were you able to follow the Stanley Cup Playoffs while you were in space?" Payette responded to the question by saying they were able to follow the playoffs by e-mail, but they were too busy working to really watch any games.

Three Grade 3 students, a younger sister and family and staff gathered at the school for the down link and everyone was a little disappointed when the event didn't go as planned. Grade 3 student Briana Rempel said despite the technical problems, she thought the whole experience was pretty cool.

"My uncle called from St. Catherines to tell me he had heard it on the radio there and was very proud of me," said Rempel. "I was kind of disappointed I didn't see it on the Internet, but I hope to get a chance to see it on TV."

James Tutanuak said he was also disappointed the broadcast didn't air on the Internet, but he wasn't surprised his school's question was picked.

"I thought it would be picked because I thought it was the coolest question," said Tutanuak. "Lots of people watch the playoffs."

Tutanuak's fellow Grade 3 classmate, Brendan Villafana said he's a Maple Leafs fan and he figures the question was chosen because hockey is so popular in Canada.

"I hope I get a chance to see the broadcast on TV," said Villafana. "I like space because it's very different from the world, but it's probably kind of scary up there."