Tuesday- Another early morning and the kids were off and running. We had a good breakfast and then broke into our groups. Kate began the morning by heading to training for her "Bravo" mission. Kia, SP and Dale went to do an activity to make them feel like they were floating on the moon! Lee started his day with Astronomy stories including constellations and neat information about stars.
Following Lee's story-telling time, I interpreted Lee's 5 Degrees of Freedom which is a ride that makes you feel like you're attached to a rocket, but outside floating in space while you fix a satellite. Lee and his teammates had to answer Space/Rocket questions to be able to get on the simulator and Lee did wonderfully answering his question. He floated, flipped and turned, then "fixed" his satellite in record time! Way to go, Lee!
Later this morning, Lee, SP and Kia did their "Enterprise" mission and each had their own role. Dale took on the VERY challenging role of Commander and got overwhelmed with all the buttons and was frustrated because Mission Control asked him to do many difficult tasks. Dale got his "let's do it" attitude on, focused 100% and successfully led his team back to earth. Kia handled communication issues between earth and their orbiter, while SP did various tasks on the shuttle and crafted a beam that'd been damaged.
Kate built her own rocket today and will launch it (weather permitting) tomorrow or Thursday. She had a fun time setting up her rocket, decorating it and deciding where to place her fins on the "two-phase" rocket. Kate and her group spent a lot of time in the afternoon in the Aviation simulator learning how to taxi, liftoff, fly and land a plane! She made it through all of the training and successfully landed a few times (it's really hard :) ) Later this evening, Kate enjoyed seeing the VERY heavy suit that fighter pilots wear, and laughed at volunteers who tried on the air bladders, burn-proof suit and parachute.
Kia, SP and Dale spent their afternoon and evening feeling weightless (well, 1/6th weightless) they enjoyed bouncing on the moon, twisting, turning and jumping in a less than normal gravity atmosphere and thoroughly enjoyed pointing and laughing as their teammates tripped over the moon surface.
Lee's group successfully completed their "Enterprise" mission this evening, all working together, communicating smoothly and even having to fix a "foul" booster on their shuttle mid-mission! Congratulations Team Aldrin!
Sounds like everyone is having a wonderful time and learning lots. Congratulations Team Aldrin!
ReplyDeleteHey! Wow what a blast that you had! I am sure that you want to stay little bit more longer. We had a peformance last night, it was awesome! WE miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteKelli Jane AKA KJ
Hello again, I think you have become "true" scientists overnight. I can't wait to hear your stories and presentation next week. Mr. Oyler, I think there should be an assembly for our middle school. Scientists, don't you agree?
ReplyDeleteI am glad Kate has learned to fly. When we go to China, it is comforting to know she can take over if the pilot decides to go on break. I hope she is able to bring the rocket home with her. We can send it off from here.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ms. Bluenose, there will be an assembly full of pictures and assuming their rockets survived their launch (many parachutes didn't come out) they should have some "evidence" from Space Camp.
ReplyDeleteRoger, yes, I'm sure Kate would be glad to take over for the pilot. I doubt she'll have to dogfight on your flight to China, but it's a useful skill to have.....just in case :)