Our students who have been completing the Scuba program have been very interested in the white bottles dotted around the edge of the pool
The tank itself is most impressive:
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Whale Spit and Diving
Hi everyone
Our students who have been completing the Scuba program have been very interested in the white bottles dotted around the edge of the pool
The Norwegian Whale spit - premium stuff apparently - is used to defog their masks prior to the dive.
The tank itself is most impressive:
The UAT tank is 24 foot deep and is held at a temperature of 91 Fahrenheit, according to Google this is 7.3m and 32 degrees centigrade. The top of the pool has a shelf that is 1.6m deep which allows the students to stand and take instructions from the trainers. They then practice the skills they need by kneeling on the stand before heading down the ladder to the obstacles and activities at the bottom of the tank.
Our students who have been completing the Scuba program have been very interested in the white bottles dotted around the edge of the pool
The tank itself is most impressive:
Notes from Wednesday
Hello everyone
A busy day today with the students engaged in the variety of activities that are available for them here. Tom is posting photos- a picture tells a thousand words.
Jonathan, Anna, Nick and Bry had their turn in the SCUBA tank. Its an amazing process to watch- the students being prepared to dive and use the SCUBA equipment and 20 minutes later they are playing with bowling balls on the bottom of the pool. We were told tonight that this is the only place outside of Russia where this sort of UAT (Under Water Astronaut training) training takes place.
A highlight for me today was going to see the Saturn 5 rocket. It is amazing to see such a complicated piece of technology- the Rocket on display is one that wasn't used- it had been in storage somewhere, before they put it in its own museum. The Saturn V rockets fired sequentially as they took the Apollo missions from take off through to the earths orbit and finally into the moons orbit. One of the sections had to fire to to get into the earths orbit and then turn off. It then had to be restarted and fire again to take the astronauts into the moons orbit. You realise the magnitude of the engineering and technology when you think what they had to control to make this happen. You couldn't get out and wind the rubber band tighter or worse still "please wait while windows restarts".
The students had their final practice missions today before the big missions they all go through tomorrow. The missions are scripted but their are non scripted parts the students don't know about that will test their problem solving skills. Tonight the students are being told by their counsellors who will have which role tomorrow. We know that Charlotte will be Commander of the ascent during their teams extended mission and Josh C will be flight engineer and mission specialist. I am sure we will be told about the other 13 students roles as they are told them by their counsellors. Millie is very proud of getting all of her check lists correct in her landing simulation this afternoon.
It is hard to find the students sometimes as they get spread far and wide through the complex. Not helped by the massive thunder storms that are coming and going, when, their is lightening the students aren't allowed outside because of the slim chance of lightening strike. They monitor the weather constantly and we have been told if there are huge storms likely we will be taken into the storm cellar. (the storms don't worry me particularly but there are lot of children here doing other programmes who are 12 and under- being in a storm cellar with them may be trying).
Tom and I had to go and find a Walmart today to buy Muesli bars for the students, Granola bars over here, Often dinner is before 5pm and that's a long time until breakfast. The students aren't allowed food in their rooms- so we had to sneak them in like contraband.
The students continue to be amazing- they are positive and friendly to everyone. Some of the students from other schools are looking very tired but ours are just trucking along.Sometimes they have wee moans but to us only. We are so enjoying being away with them. We are starting to put plans together for Friday. But they are a surprise for the students so we can't tell you all either as we know some of the students are also reading the Blog.
Since this is your last day of school/work before Good Friday have a happy and safe holiday weekend. More posts tomorrow.
Louisa
A busy day today with the students engaged in the variety of activities that are available for them here. Tom is posting photos- a picture tells a thousand words.
Jonathan, Anna, Nick and Bry had their turn in the SCUBA tank. Its an amazing process to watch- the students being prepared to dive and use the SCUBA equipment and 20 minutes later they are playing with bowling balls on the bottom of the pool. We were told tonight that this is the only place outside of Russia where this sort of UAT (Under Water Astronaut training) training takes place.
A highlight for me today was going to see the Saturn 5 rocket. It is amazing to see such a complicated piece of technology- the Rocket on display is one that wasn't used- it had been in storage somewhere, before they put it in its own museum. The Saturn V rockets fired sequentially as they took the Apollo missions from take off through to the earths orbit and finally into the moons orbit. One of the sections had to fire to to get into the earths orbit and then turn off. It then had to be restarted and fire again to take the astronauts into the moons orbit. You realise the magnitude of the engineering and technology when you think what they had to control to make this happen. You couldn't get out and wind the rubber band tighter or worse still "please wait while windows restarts".
The students had their final practice missions today before the big missions they all go through tomorrow. The missions are scripted but their are non scripted parts the students don't know about that will test their problem solving skills. Tonight the students are being told by their counsellors who will have which role tomorrow. We know that Charlotte will be Commander of the ascent during their teams extended mission and Josh C will be flight engineer and mission specialist. I am sure we will be told about the other 13 students roles as they are told them by their counsellors. Millie is very proud of getting all of her check lists correct in her landing simulation this afternoon.
It is hard to find the students sometimes as they get spread far and wide through the complex. Not helped by the massive thunder storms that are coming and going, when, their is lightening the students aren't allowed outside because of the slim chance of lightening strike. They monitor the weather constantly and we have been told if there are huge storms likely we will be taken into the storm cellar. (the storms don't worry me particularly but there are lot of children here doing other programmes who are 12 and under- being in a storm cellar with them may be trying).
Tom and I had to go and find a Walmart today to buy Muesli bars for the students, Granola bars over here, Often dinner is before 5pm and that's a long time until breakfast. The students aren't allowed food in their rooms- so we had to sneak them in like contraband.
The students continue to be amazing- they are positive and friendly to everyone. Some of the students from other schools are looking very tired but ours are just trucking along.Sometimes they have wee moans but to us only. We are so enjoying being away with them. We are starting to put plans together for Friday. But they are a surprise for the students so we can't tell you all either as we know some of the students are also reading the Blog.
Since this is your last day of school/work before Good Friday have a happy and safe holiday weekend. More posts tomorrow.
Louisa
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Victor and Adam Videos
Victor running on the 1/6 gravity chair and finding life difficult on the 'moon'
Adam on the Multi axis trainer being asked Star wars trivia questions by his camp counsellor
Scuba and Photo Update
Hi everyone
Just a quick note to update the previous post from Louisa. I have just returned from watching Izzy and Millie complete their Scuba dive. As with Seth and Adam last night they are over the moon (excuse the pun) with this experience. They are diving in a 24 foot tank (7m) which is around 4m in diameter. At the bottom of the tank there are a series of skills they have to perform. From shooting weighted balls through a hoop to assembling a trapezium out of lengths of pipe. I think this is going to be one of many highlights for the students who participate. We are lucky enough to get photos at the top of the tank before they dive and through portholes in the base of the tank. I have created another page for these Scuba Photos so take a look.
I have also added more photos of students completing tasks in the sims that Louisa has mentioned. These include Seth and Adam in the multi axis trainer and a video of Victor trying to walk on the moon.
All the best
Tom WK
Just a quick note to update the previous post from Louisa. I have just returned from watching Izzy and Millie complete their Scuba dive. As with Seth and Adam last night they are over the moon (excuse the pun) with this experience. They are diving in a 24 foot tank (7m) which is around 4m in diameter. At the bottom of the tank there are a series of skills they have to perform. From shooting weighted balls through a hoop to assembling a trapezium out of lengths of pipe. I think this is going to be one of many highlights for the students who participate. We are lucky enough to get photos at the top of the tank before they dive and through portholes in the base of the tank. I have created another page for these Scuba Photos so take a look.
I have also added more photos of students completing tasks in the sims that Louisa has mentioned. These include Seth and Adam in the multi axis trainer and a video of Victor trying to walk on the moon.
All the best
Tom WK
The rest of Tuesday at Space Camp
Hello everyone.
Everything is ticking along although it is very hot- its like a hot nor-westerly all the time.
The students are involved in lots of simulations that mimic low gravity or the difficulty of manipulating machinery outside of the space craft.
All of the groups had a go on the climbing wall and it certainly pushed some of the students comfort levels. It really was a focus on working as a team as they had a "daisy chain" between the two climbers that they had to try and not break.
The Climbing wall is situated in an area called area 51- obviously not the real one because that doesn't exist. It is about a 10 minute walk from camp- through what we assume is their native bush- saw a deer and lots of squirrels. Also in all of this bush is just abandoned bits of plane and spacecraft. It certainly makes the area look very military and space like.
Tom and I had a look around the aviation challenge while we were at the climbing wall. A very interesting set up with very high tech simulators. It is very military in style and we weren't sure if our kids would respond very well to the style of the course.
This afternoon we have been watching a group on the 1/6 gravity chair. Similar to the gravity on the moon. The students looked so awkward trying to get around- every movement was overcompensated and quite hard to control. Hard to imagine doing something like this in space gear as well. There will be photos of up this shortly.
The students have been on the multi axis trainer as well- a device that simulates zero gravity conditions.
There is an awesome museum here at the Space Centre as well. One of the bits of scientific history I had missed was the influence of the Germans on the space race and that they had volunteered to settle in Huntsville after world war 2. This group of scientists, led by Von Braun, have been termed the 'paper clip' scientists- in reference to the subtle paper clip that was placed on their files by the allies at the end of world war two to indicate they would be taken to the USA. Both Russia and the USA wanted these scientists to further their rocket technology understanding with the purpose of winning the space race. There is amazing historic material in the museum from many of the space missions- for some of us more grown ups they aren't historical events but just stuff that has happened in our lifetimes. (although I would like to clarify that I wasn't alive when man first walked on the moon)
Tonight we have a group learning to scuba and another doing a practice mission in the shuttle simulator.
We'll be in touch again tomorrow- with more photos of course.
Louisa
Everything is ticking along although it is very hot- its like a hot nor-westerly all the time.
The students are involved in lots of simulations that mimic low gravity or the difficulty of manipulating machinery outside of the space craft.
All of the groups had a go on the climbing wall and it certainly pushed some of the students comfort levels. It really was a focus on working as a team as they had a "daisy chain" between the two climbers that they had to try and not break.
The Climbing wall is situated in an area called area 51- obviously not the real one because that doesn't exist. It is about a 10 minute walk from camp- through what we assume is their native bush- saw a deer and lots of squirrels. Also in all of this bush is just abandoned bits of plane and spacecraft. It certainly makes the area look very military and space like.
Tom and I had a look around the aviation challenge while we were at the climbing wall. A very interesting set up with very high tech simulators. It is very military in style and we weren't sure if our kids would respond very well to the style of the course.
This afternoon we have been watching a group on the 1/6 gravity chair. Similar to the gravity on the moon. The students looked so awkward trying to get around- every movement was overcompensated and quite hard to control. Hard to imagine doing something like this in space gear as well. There will be photos of up this shortly.
The students have been on the multi axis trainer as well- a device that simulates zero gravity conditions.
There is an awesome museum here at the Space Centre as well. One of the bits of scientific history I had missed was the influence of the Germans on the space race and that they had volunteered to settle in Huntsville after world war 2. This group of scientists, led by Von Braun, have been termed the 'paper clip' scientists- in reference to the subtle paper clip that was placed on their files by the allies at the end of world war two to indicate they would be taken to the USA. Both Russia and the USA wanted these scientists to further their rocket technology understanding with the purpose of winning the space race. There is amazing historic material in the museum from many of the space missions- for some of us more grown ups they aren't historical events but just stuff that has happened in our lifetimes. (although I would like to clarify that I wasn't alive when man first walked on the moon)
Tonight we have a group learning to scuba and another doing a practice mission in the shuttle simulator.
We'll be in touch again tomorrow- with more photos of course.
Louisa
Tuesday at Space Camp
Hi everyone
Another glorious day at Space Camp a very hot and sticky 28 degrees. The students have all had rock climbing this morning prior to lunch and every student made a successful attempt at the wall.
The students are spending the afternoon on various simulators and there will be plenty of photos to upload this afternoon.
Another glorious day at Space Camp a very hot and sticky 28 degrees. The students have all had rock climbing this morning prior to lunch and every student made a successful attempt at the wall.
The students are spending the afternoon on various simulators and there will be plenty of photos to upload this afternoon.
Monday, 2 April 2012
Videos From Space Camp Training Monday
The end of the first full day.
Good evening again everybody.
Well today we have completed the first full day at space camp. The students are into it. Today Seth and Adam have been in the SCUBA tank doing their underwater astronaut training.
One of the other groups have been on a practice shuttle mission. There are cameras in the shuttle and as chaperones we are able to view the live feed. What we saw tonight was largely comedy. I wouldn't have wanted to be flying on this shuttle.
Izzy was trying to re-write the script and was heard telling the camp tutor that the script was wrong. (it's been used on the odd training mission before) Charlotte is flight commander and whilst very good is still finding her commanding voice. The students had bought some sugary sherbet stuff and were eating it every time the counsellors back was turned. Hmmm this time we really do have eyes everywhere.
Our students have started a sunglasses wearing trend that is being followed by other non- New Zealanders. They do look odd (ridiculous) sitting in a darkened shuttle simulator with their sunnies on.
Meanwhile our third group were having a go on the multi axis trainer. A spinny chair that you are strapped into and spun around through all degrees of a sphere. It looked very cool- but I am chicken and when the trainer offered me a go I ran away. Anna was very cool calm and collected while being spun around. Some of our students weren't sure if this was quite for them although I was assured it doesn't make you sick.
We are trying to get pictures of the students in as many activities as possible. We aren't encouraged to be at all of the activities as we get underfoot.
As well as being photographers Tom and I went into the town of Huntsville today. We had a little look around in the center of town and then caught a bus to Walmart. It was my first time in a Walmart. Predictably I got lost looking for safety pins and the assistant I asked for help was very amused when I told her I had never been to a walmart before. Tom and I also found good coffee and some earl grey teabags so the world is looking brighter.
Everyone is feeling so much better today- on top of the jetlag and using all the opportunities that are coming along. The students are literally on the go from 6.30am to 10.30pm. They are already coming and asking if we can sleep in Florida. (the answer is probably not, some of the Disney programs start really early- but don't tell them)
Take care everyone
Louisa
Well today we have completed the first full day at space camp. The students are into it. Today Seth and Adam have been in the SCUBA tank doing their underwater astronaut training.
One of the other groups have been on a practice shuttle mission. There are cameras in the shuttle and as chaperones we are able to view the live feed. What we saw tonight was largely comedy. I wouldn't have wanted to be flying on this shuttle.
Izzy was trying to re-write the script and was heard telling the camp tutor that the script was wrong. (it's been used on the odd training mission before) Charlotte is flight commander and whilst very good is still finding her commanding voice. The students had bought some sugary sherbet stuff and were eating it every time the counsellors back was turned. Hmmm this time we really do have eyes everywhere.
Our students have started a sunglasses wearing trend that is being followed by other non- New Zealanders. They do look odd (ridiculous) sitting in a darkened shuttle simulator with their sunnies on.
Meanwhile our third group were having a go on the multi axis trainer. A spinny chair that you are strapped into and spun around through all degrees of a sphere. It looked very cool- but I am chicken and when the trainer offered me a go I ran away. Anna was very cool calm and collected while being spun around. Some of our students weren't sure if this was quite for them although I was assured it doesn't make you sick.
We are trying to get pictures of the students in as many activities as possible. We aren't encouraged to be at all of the activities as we get underfoot.
As well as being photographers Tom and I went into the town of Huntsville today. We had a little look around in the center of town and then caught a bus to Walmart. It was my first time in a Walmart. Predictably I got lost looking for safety pins and the assistant I asked for help was very amused when I told her I had never been to a walmart before. Tom and I also found good coffee and some earl grey teabags so the world is looking brighter.
Everyone is feeling so much better today- on top of the jetlag and using all the opportunities that are coming along. The students are literally on the go from 6.30am to 10.30pm. They are already coming and asking if we can sleep in Florida. (the answer is probably not, some of the Disney programs start really early- but don't tell them)
Take care everyone
Louisa
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Sunday Night
Evening everybody
I think it is Sunday evening but really who knows. This jet lag thing is very confusing.
We arrived at camp at 11.30 last night and the students were sent straight off to bed and as far as we are aware did just that. Everyones body clocks are a bit out of whack so going to sleep was quite hard.
Today the students have had organsied activities until space camp proper started. At 2pm they were put into their groups, Von tiesenhausen, Holderer and Von Braun (apologies for spelling). Then the excitement started- they have been kitted out in their jump suits and have started properly into their programme.
Tom and I don't have much of a programme and it has probably harder for us to stay awake all day than for the students. Tomorrow the students are starting to train for their respective missions, for those who are scuba-ing they start orientation to that tomorrow as well.
The students aren't allowed their phones during the day and really only have a chance to call or text at 10pm at night. If you really need to talk to your son or daughter please email us and we will make sure we track them down during that time and get them to call.
We have some shopping to do to tomorrow- we had over looked that we are "down south" and girls can't show their shoulders so I'm off to Walmart tomorrow to buy Tshirts for the girls and jandals- you aren't allowed to walk barefoot inside the Habitat. All things we learn.
Tom is in charge of photos tonight and is trying to transfer photos to the blog as we speak. The photos don't show up with the main text in the blog you have to Tab along until you see the labels for the photos- at the moment we have LA photos and Space Camp Photos. We are planning our day tomorrow to get some good team shots to hopefully post tomorrow night.
There is a group of Australians here as well. Nice to have a similar accent and some people that just don't nod politely when you say we are from New Zealand.
Take care
Louisa
I think it is Sunday evening but really who knows. This jet lag thing is very confusing.
We arrived at camp at 11.30 last night and the students were sent straight off to bed and as far as we are aware did just that. Everyones body clocks are a bit out of whack so going to sleep was quite hard.
Today the students have had organsied activities until space camp proper started. At 2pm they were put into their groups, Von tiesenhausen, Holderer and Von Braun (apologies for spelling). Then the excitement started- they have been kitted out in their jump suits and have started properly into their programme.
Tom and I don't have much of a programme and it has probably harder for us to stay awake all day than for the students. Tomorrow the students are starting to train for their respective missions, for those who are scuba-ing they start orientation to that tomorrow as well.
The students aren't allowed their phones during the day and really only have a chance to call or text at 10pm at night. If you really need to talk to your son or daughter please email us and we will make sure we track them down during that time and get them to call.
We have some shopping to do to tomorrow- we had over looked that we are "down south" and girls can't show their shoulders so I'm off to Walmart tomorrow to buy Tshirts for the girls and jandals- you aren't allowed to walk barefoot inside the Habitat. All things we learn.
Tom is in charge of photos tonight and is trying to transfer photos to the blog as we speak. The photos don't show up with the main text in the blog you have to Tab along until you see the labels for the photos- at the moment we have LA photos and Space Camp Photos. We are planning our day tomorrow to get some good team shots to hopefully post tomorrow night.
There is a group of Australians here as well. Nice to have a similar accent and some people that just don't nod politely when you say we are from New Zealand.
Take care
Louisa
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