It is getting busier in Alabama! Enjoy today's update.
The student’s enthusiasm is increasing with each day at Space Camp. Today was the first day of Mission training. Some of the students’ roles include: Flight Director, Commander, Pilot, Capcom, Inco, Prop, Cato, Station Commander, Mission Scientist, EVA and ACO. Be sure to ask your students about their role. Tomorrow is the first mission and they have been told to expect the unexpected.
Our students were interested to find out that the parent chaperones have started our own mini-camp. They said, “I’m the Mission Commander, what are you?” They are really into the roles. One group actually did their main mission this morning. I’m sure they’ll be ready to tell you all about it.
The students also twirled around on the Multi-axis trainer and the 1/6th gravity chair (more spring than even Michael Jordan.) They continue to be enthusiastic and inquisitive.
They also learned how astronauts live in space, how they eat, sleep, work, and exercise. You can ask them now how the waste management system works on the space station. They were exercising their creativity and seriously worked on space robots. By the time they graduate on Thursday, they would have spent more than nine hours on robotics.
Many of the students went on a tour of “Rocket Park” today. They were able to see the real rockets used to launch American satellites and astronauts into space and the Pathfinder space shuttle, which is at the entrance to the park. If you get a chance someday, ask students to describe the Pathfinder shuttle; they learned all about the different components today.
At dinner, some of the kids mentioned that they are very busy (they are!) and that they haven’t had much free time (that’s by design – they’re immersed in ‘space’). However, this evening they had an hour or so to run around, play sand volleyball, kickball, and run around. The staff has created a great balance.
More tomorrow,
Chaperones
