Space Academy for Educators: Day 5

It was hard to believe the final day was already here. In some ways, the five days flew by really quickly, and in other ways, it felt like we had known each other on our team for a lifetime. We all started with an early breakfast today, as our start time was half an hour earlier than the days before.

Rocket Park Tour: After breakfast, we had half an hour to tour the rocket park. It felt like we were just walking from rocket to rocket in a rush. There is a simulated lunar landscape and lander there. We took photos in front of it in the designated area, and then the official photographer told us to climb over the  fence and pose right with the lander for a photo. That was pretty sweet!

Space Writer: Our next session was about how to incorporate writing activities in science. The presenter, Leigh, had some great ideas, and I can tell that her classroom must be amazing. We all thought it would be fun to visit her class. For instance, she has students research astronaut biographies, and then create their own biography for when they are an astronaut in the future. What a great idea.

SciVis and NASA Marshall: Next up was a presentation from a NASA Marshall education representative. She shared a few neat demonstrations with us. Then, we learned about SciVis: Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students. This is such an amazing program! If you know of a visually impaired student who is interested in space, you really need to check out this incredible program.

Lunch

Thermal Protection Systems: We next learned about thermal protection systems (TPS) and found out we actually already knew a lot more than we thought. We then designed and built or own and test it. Then we redesigned and retested. This was such an amazing activity. I really hope I can do this in my classroom. I just have to get the all clear for using a blow torch!

Ask Mr. Sunspot: This session was about the sun. We started by discussing some basics features of the sun and then creating a model of the sun using play-doh. We then went into a little more detail about the sun. Finally, we went outside to view sunspots!

Martian Math: Last, we had a session about math – but with a Martian twist. We played many fun games that involved basic math skills, but were so fun. I’m sure math teachers will enjoy doing these with their classes. I thought they were so much fun, I shared them with a math teacher at my school!

Evaluations and Dinner: We evaluated the week at space camp and then had dinner before our grand finale of the week – graduation.

Space Academy Graduation: It is so hard to believe we got to graduation so quickly! When we entered the auditorium, we noticed that we had assigned seats by team. Evidently, they didn’t realize that Team Columbus likes to sit up front because we were about four rows back! We decided to sit one row of the ladies and one row with the gentleman. Then graduation began. A representative from Honeywell, who had never actually visited the USSRC campus before, spoke to us. I think he was as excited to be there as we were! We watched an awesome compilation video of our week at camp. Then, each team came up to share their patch design and the symbolism behind it. After that, the members of the team graduated where we received our wings and were told to take our name badge, rip it, flip it, and stick it! (We had previously been wearing our names upside down.) Team Columbus was the second to graduate, and we had a pretty fun time explaining our patch. I was chosen to do the speaking, and Cliff did an amazing job of pointing everything out on the patch. After we finished, Amy, one of our team leads, said a few words, and then we were called across the stage. Before too long, it was over, and we were graduates.

But wait – that’s not all! After all the teams had walked across the stage, we learned of the Right Stuff award, an award given to someone who represented leadership and teamwork. I had known about this award before I attended space camp from reading blogs and news stories. When Lauren, our other team lead, took the stage and started describing the person who was the recipient, I was shocked when she said this person was nicknamed the encyclopedia – because that’s what they called me. When she called me up, I was still stunned! Honestly, I was a part of such an amazing team, and I can think of several other people were more deserving than I thought I was. Once all six of us, one person from each team, was awarded the Right Stuff medal, the Honeywell representative presented us with a scholarship to send one of our students to space camp next year! What an honor! I cannot believe that I will get to send one of my students to space camp.

Finally, at the end of the ceremony, Mare Gilmore presented the two Honeywell representatives with their very own flight suits! They were very excited to receive them; they had them on before we had exited the auditorium! After we were dismissed, the official week of space academy was complete. We took one last group photo, and then headed back to the dorms.

Graduation Party: It was still early though, and Team Columbus really likes to hang out together, so we had one amazing farewell party. It was a great celebratory way to end the week with many of my comrades. What an amazing experience! Sometimes I still can’t believe I was able to have this amazing experience at space camp.

You call see all the photos I took on Day 5 on Flickr.