Boys and girls, it is almost time to go back to school! I'm sure you have been just as busy as I have been these last few week of summer, soaking up the warm sunshine and getting ready to learn so many new things this year! Maybe you went on a fun trip with your family over your break, or you headed to camp with your friends.
I went to camp this summer, boys and girls - Space Camp! I have been meaning to write you all about it, but but this bear has to get ready for back to school, too! I am also, in between summer picnics under the Sugar Maple trees with my other West Virginia symbol friends, drawing. Remember, I'm an artist bear - and when I share my story with the all the children in the Mountain State, I want to have beautiful pictures of my memories to share in my book!
Oh my - back to Space Camp. I am getting ahead of myself. Mrs. Sponaugle and I flew to Huntsville, Alabama, to attend the International Space Academy with the other state teachers of the year! There were also teachers there from other countries around the world! Alabama is in the Southeast Region of the United States. It was green and leafy just like West Virginia, but I did not see as many mountains.
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| Alabama |
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| This is the state flag of Alabama. |
Well, I ended up getting to spend a little time in another state while I was on my way to Space Camp. You see, we first had to fly into Charlotte, North Carolina, to get to Huntsville! Sometimes, when you travel, things happen that you have no control over - and you just have to choose to have a good attitude about it! So when our flight was cancelled and we had to spend the night, I just choose to be happy that I got to add another state to my travel list this year (but on the inside, I was feeling a little impatient).
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U.S. Air gave me some overnight toiletries, since mine were packed
in my checked bag! |
The next day we were up, up, and away to Space Camp! As soon as we checked into our dorm, I was so excited I forgot all about our delay! I was excited especially because it was time for the Parade of States! This is where each of the teachers dressed as something or someone that represented their states! Now, I am "dressed" all the time representing West Virginia, but Mrs. Sponaugle choose to dress as a Mountain Homsteader from the 1800s. I thought that was an excellent costume choice. It was so interesting to see all of the creative outfits - and hear all of the interesting presentations!
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| Mrs. Sponaugle, the mountain homesteader! |
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| South Dakota (geologist), North Carolina (Richard Petty), and Kentucky (Kentucky Derby) |
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Arizona (Grand Canyon National Park), Utah (Delicate Arch), California
(Gold miner), and New Mexico (peppers) |
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Florida (palm tree), Pennsylvania (Mr. Rogers), South Dakota,
Kentucky, and Virginia (peanut) |
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| Waiting patiently for the Parade of States to start... |
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| Mrs. Sponaugle with our West Virginia flag! |
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All of the teachers with Pathfinder, a model space shuttle
(more on that in a minute)! |
I slept very well that night, for I was one tired bear. When I woke up the next morning, I was already for my first space simulation! A simulation is something that is very similar to the real thing - but it is not. It just lets you experience what it would be like to do something for real! I was going to be a part of a simulation for a space shuttle mission! The space shuttle use to be what American astronauts traveled to go into space. The last space shuttle was flown three years ago, but we can still learn many important things about space travel and technology by studying them!
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Pathfinder is the model space shuttle used to build all the
space shuttles that went into space! This is the only place
in the U.S.A. where you can see a shuttle, solid rocket boosters
(white) and fuel tank (orange) all modeled together! |
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| Pathfinder selfie! |
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| Whoa! |
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| The part that would sit on the launch pad! |
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| And this is part of the launch pad - where's Berkeley? |
My role was to be the EECOM in mission control. Now, at first I was disappointed that I wouldn't be "on the shuttle," but I learned something very important from working in mission control - actually, two things! One, it is very difficult work to communicate with people that are very far away from you when you have to tell them important, life saving information...and two,
everyone's job is important, even if you aren't on the space shuttle. If everyone doesn't cooperate and do their roles, then you cannot be as successful!
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| The International Space Station simulator! |
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The International Space Station (ISS) is where astronauts from
all over the world come to learn about the solar system... in space! |
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| Watching the monitors in Mission Control! |
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The Texas, American Samoa, and West Virginia teachers, working
hard to solve the problem on the shuttle...from the ground! |
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| Some "space talk" for communicating with astronauts! |
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Whew! Shuttle landing complete -
with some help from a little black bear :-) |
What a fun start to Space Camp! In my next post I will take you inside the Air and Space museum and to the rocket park - so find your places and get ready for take off! (But go outside and enjoy the beautiful summer day, too!)
Until next time...
