Astronaut: 'I actually wanted to be a forest ranger'

LAFAYETTE -- Ryan Elementary School is a science and math focus school, so teachers there attempt to weave the two subjects into students' daily instruction.

On Friday, students got a chance to see how science and math work beyond the classroom, as NASA astronaut and University of Colorado alumnus Steve Swanson paid a visit to the school.

Swanson spoke to each grade individually, showing video of his latest mission on board the space shuttle Discovery in which he and other astronauts traveled to the International Space Station. Swanson talked about components involved in the mission and about the difficulties in adjusting to walking in space.

"Imagine hanging off a balcony with nothing below you," Swanson told the school's fourth-graders. "That's what a space walk is like. There's nothing below you but Earth."

Swanson also talked about life aboard a spaceship, showing footage of the Discovery astronauts strapped down to a treadmill and attempting to eat floating pieces of food.

"You must play with your food in space," he joked. "It's a requirement."

He also showed pictures taken from the shuttle of Earth, with city lights visible from millions of miles away.

"One of the best things to do in space is look out the window," he said.

After his presentation, Swanson fielded questions ranging from how astronauts go to the bathroom in space (there are straps holding you down) to what his favorite planet is (Saturn).

Swanson was also asked if he, like many kids, wanted to be an astronaut at a young age.

"I actually wanted to be a forest ranger," Swanson said. "I was really into the woods. Then I found out what forest rangers get paid."

Another student asked Swanson about his favorite thing to do in space.

"I love floating," he said. "I'm not gonna lie -- it's a lot fun. It makes anything fun. I can do the worst job on the space shuttle -- cleaning the bathrooms -- and it would still be fun."

Later, Swanson joined the fourth-graders in the cafeteria for lunch, some space shuttle-decorated cake and to sign autographs.

The school's principal, Cyrus Weinberger, said he wanted Swanson to speak as a way to expose the students to real-world uses of science and get them excited about potential careers.

"It's a way to ignite interest," he said. "It gives them an incentive to set goals."

Weinberger said students were excited all week in anticipation of Swanson's visit.

"It's definitely been a highlight for them," he said.

Swanson, who will present two medals to the university in a halftime ceremony at Saturday's CU football game, said he enjoys talking to kids and exposing them to a different side of science.

"I'm trying to show them math and science can be fun," he said.