Utopia of teaching: Meet the STEM educator bringing the International Space Station to Mesa
By Stefanie Contreras
Behind every great student discovery is a teacher who dared to dream big. At ASU Prep Polytechnic STEM Academy, that teacher is Danielle Houseman.
As the K–6 STEM lead, Houseman has spent the last nine months transforming her classroom into a mission control center. Her efforts culminate Thursday, April 23, when her students will use amateur radio to speak live with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station.
A "utopia" for innovation
For Houseman, joining the ASU Prep network was about finding a space where creativity was not just allowed, but encouraged.
“I first heard about ASU Prep from a fellow teacher who described it as a ‘utopia of teaching’ — and she was right,” Houseman said. “I was drawn to the creativity in the curriculum, the strong support from parents, admin and PTSO and the opportunity to lead engaging, hands-on STEM learning.”
That environment has allowed her to lean into her passion for the way science sparks natural curiosity.
“The freedom to be creative, the support from the community and the ability to design meaningful, collaborative STEM experiences that truly engage students” are what she loves most about working at the ASU Prep Polytechnic campus. “I’ve always loved school and want my classroom to be a place where students feel safe, challenged and excited to learn every day.”
Engineering the ARISS project
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is notoriously competitive, requiring rigorous educational tie-ins. Houseman saw this not as a hurdle, but as an opportunity for project-based learning.
“The timing was perfect,” Houseman explained. “With a focus on project-based learning, I introduced a space theme that aligned with ARISS requirements. It grew into a year-long experience, integrating STEM concepts and amateur radio, including earning my license and expanding my own learning.”
The technical side of the project brought its own set of surprises. Houseman worked closely with local “Elmers” — the term for experienced amateur radio mentors — to prepare for the contact.
“Amateur radio is far more complex than I expected,” she said. “The support from our ‘Elmers’ has been incredible and has deepened both my understanding and our students’ learning.”
Impact beyond the classroom
While the technical achievement of reaching the ISS is significant, Houseman is most moved by the human impact.
“This is a rare, real-world experience,” Houseman said. “Students won’t just learn about space — they’ll speak directly to an astronaut in orbit. I’m excited to see their hard work come to life.”
When asked about the most rewarding part of the “Our Year in Orbit” campaign, Houseman pointed to the feedback from the ASU Prep community.
“Hearing students say, ‘This is the best thing we’ve ever done in school,’ and parents sharing how excited their children are to come to school each day.”
The interview with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station will be streamed live on YouTube.
