Smith Chatter

Resources

2007-07-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

RESOURCES...

Please share any cool websites for our future scientists, engineers, mathematicians and technologists. TEAM. Together Everyone Achieves More!

Story Musgrave's website
http://www.spacestory.com/intro.htm

NASA teacher resources
http://www.nasaexplores.com/

Questions

2007-07-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

QUESTIONS...

Please use this comment section to add your questions about our Space Camp trip.

Gaduation

2007-07-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Trevis shared his evaluation of the Aldrin team. The kids received their diplomas. We will find out if anyone achieved any Space Camp awards for this week's participation.

Story Musgrave

2007-07-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

We listened to astronaut Story Musgrave share his 30 plus years experience with NASA. There were no astronauts when Story was a kid. He grew up on a farm and became the best mechanic he could be. Story encouraged the kids to make a plan, practice that plan and do your best to perfect the plan.

Every time Story entered space he had to trust his teammates. Trust that they were doing their best job so that the each mission was safe. As an astronaut, Story listened and followed directions from the command center. The command center runs the mission, not the astronaut.

Please check out Story's website and share your thoughts.

http://www.spacestory.com/intro.htm

Rock Climbing

2007-07-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 26

2007-07-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Thursday is our last day at Space Camp. The kids have a busy schedule before we board our plane.

After packing and breakfast the kids participated in Strange Science activities, gift shopping for our moms', family and friends, rock climbing, a second Discovery Mission, rocket launch, 1/6th chair simulator, listened to Story Musgrave astronaut, graduation, and then home!

Swimming

2007-07-25T02:51:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed watching the kids play "Sharks" in the water.

It was also fun to watch some teachers practice water rescue stunts from the tower. The kids are making friends!

Wednesday, July 25

2007-07-25T02:41:00.000-07:00

Most of the morning was spent in Discovery Mission. I really enjoyed watching the kids reenact a mission. Everyone worked together to make a real space team. Each role was important and had something different to learn.

I learned how to operate the cameras inside Discovery. It was fun to switch views and record the mission.

The kids went to Mars afterwards.

Later in the afternoon, the kids went swimming. I discovered a whole new section of Space Camp. There is an outdoors section that looks more like a boot camp. Everywhere you look, different teams are learning!

There was a rain storm after dinner. I decided to just stay put and not tango with the storm.

A Night in the Museum

2007-07-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

Everyone sneaks into the museum at night. Kids play games to learn fun and interesting facts.

Riding Space Shot

2007-07-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to take off with Brianna and Clarissa. The kids told me this is fun!

Scientists in Discovery Training

2007-07-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

Inside the Discovery is a science lab. Scientists must be careful not to explode or blow up anything while conducting experiments in space. I heard green slime could explode if directions are not followed carefully. The Aldrin team scientists conducted 5 experiments; oobleck, starchy slime, superball, gluep, and slime time.

There is a tunnel the astronaut must crawl through to get to the science lab section.

Discovery Mission Training

2007-07-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Touring the Discovery and watching the kids learn their parts was amazing. There are so many buttons to push inside the Discovery. The kids adapted well, I was overwhelmed. This mission is going to be alot more challenging than using my computer!

MMU Simulator

2007-07-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

The kids operated the MMU by using two controllers. They could move forwards, backwards and side-ways.

Tuesday, July 24

2007-07-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

Today the Aldrin team tested out more simulators. We tried the MMU. I asked the kids which simulator is the most fun and most voted for the MAT because it spins around. I can't wait to try the 1/6th chair because I will feel like I am walking in space.

We started to train for our Discovery Mission. Everyone took a survey, then the camp administrator assigned jobs to each team member. We practiced our jobs and also rehearsed parts of the script. We did not act out everything because the mission still needed to be a surprise.

Magic of Flight was the IMAX movie. Tom Sellek narrated this film about the history of flying. Did you realize how much information we learned from just observing birds in flight?

We also learned about Hydroponics during the Beam Me Up! session.

Then, Trevis convinced me to ride Space Shot! I agreed to try if he would take a picture. I screamed when it felt like I was flying off the chair and my stomach was left at my feet!

After dinner, more script practice and then the museum! I had a blast in the museum at night. The museum is suppose to be closed, but some counselors bring their teams. Trevis played sardines with us. That is a Hide-N-Seek game. Don't tell the kids, but Trevis really tricked the kids into learning what was in the museum. Also, another camp team joined us in the museum. This team was different because they were practicing military tactics. Some of us got scared because of their uniforms and make-up, but it made for a great night to remember!

The night is not over, while walking back to our cabins, Trevis showed us the constellations and Pluto!

Team Time

2007-07-23T04:47:00.000-07:00

Trevis is telling stories about the history of space flight, including astronauts and monkeys! He is a great story-teller.

The kids are recording facts in their notebooks. They will use the notebooks to study, share with others and prepare for the "Space-Bowl".

Rocket Construction

2007-07-23T04:38:00.000-07:00

Monday night the kids built rockets. By listening to Trevis their camp counselor and following directions, the kids learned parts of the rocket. This was a fun hands on activity! The kids have started to get to know each other. Weather permitting, we will launch the rockets on Thursday!

MAT Simulator

2007-07-23T04:25:00.000-07:00

After breakfast, the kids experienced the MAT Simulator. They sit in the chair and spin around and around. Nobody "lost "their breakfast, but one child got very dizzy,-not Anna.

Monday, July 23,2007

2007-07-23T04:21:00.000-07:00

Monday was a very busy day tracking down the luggage for the kids, Mrs. Jordan and myself. Basically, we ended up playing the "Riddler" game with American Airlanes.

The kids had an extensive schedule. Breakfast at 7:30 and then straight to the Astrotek for Multi-Axis.

Mrs. Jordan joined the kids at the IMAX to watch "Dream Is Alive". Disney produced this excellent movie focussing on the scientists and technology involved to successfully launch Spirit and Opportunity on Mars. The children were told to share this information with their principals when they return to school.

The children also explored G-Force, Crew Systems, and Mercury.

Huntsville, AL Airport

2007-07-22T03:28:00.000-07:00

We arrived safely in Hunstville. The kids were great on the airplane. Everyone was provided

"goody" bags to enjoy on the ride.

Trip to Space Camp

2007-07-22T03:19:00.000-07:00

The James Jordan Foundation offered the Time Out program to Smith School, Victor Herbert School and Brown School. Students were asked to write a research essay. The James Jordan Foundation board reviewed the essays and selected 11 students to attend Space Camp or Computer Camp. I was asked to chaperone the Space Camp trip!