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
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
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
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Arrived at Space Camp
Hi everyone,
We are all safe and sound at Space Camp in Alabama. It is just after midnight here so this will be a quick message with a detailed one to come in the morning along with photos from our first three days in America.
We had some awesome flights today from LAX to Dallas then onto to Huntsville. Everyone is looking forward to a week without flights but they have done very well so far.
Everyone here and on the way to Huntsville have been lovely and very interested in our trip.
I am going to have to sign off now as I need some sleep. I will sit down in the morning and add some photos and more detail of our trip so far.
Cheers
Tom WK
We are all safe and sound at Space Camp in Alabama. It is just after midnight here so this will be a quick message with a detailed one to come in the morning along with photos from our first three days in America.
We had some awesome flights today from LAX to Dallas then onto to Huntsville. Everyone is looking forward to a week without flights but they have done very well so far.
Everyone here and on the way to Huntsville have been lovely and very interested in our trip.
I am going to have to sign off now as I need some sleep. I will sit down in the morning and add some photos and more detail of our trip so far.
Cheers
Tom WK
Friday, 30 March 2012
Aux-LA flight and Santa Monica
We're here!!!! We have had our first sights, scenes and tastes of LA.
Our flight from Chch to Auckland went off without a hitch, everyone was enjoying themselves and Kamen managed to get himself a seat right at the front. Few jealous teachers and students.
Everyone had a nice stroll from the domestic terminal to the international and Adam managed to squeeze in some more food. It was the start of a common theme for the boys with food consumed at any opportunity.
Our flight to LA got off to a slow start with the flight delayed an hour. Once under way all the students became thoroughly engrossed in the on board entertainment system. Josh L, Andrew and Izzy soon found the amenities page and ordered toothpaste and brush and a sleeping mask. They then proceeded to eat the toothpaste and customize the masks to the delight of the small kids in front of them.
Most students managed to get some sleep but winner of staying awake all flight was Josh L, closely followed by Bry who lasted until 20mins before landing.
Joke of the flight goes to Bry and Andrew who managed to turn on the muppets movie in Spanish on Tom Wk headphones when he had fallen asleep, I now know not to fall asleep before the students in the future.
The girls managed to consume an awesome amount of chocolate on the plane and were also so worried about declaring food on the customs sheet that they decided to eat all of the Lillie's they had before we landed.
LA greeted us with a cosy 17 degrees and we only arrived 30mins late. The trip to the hostel was a chance for students to absorb the massive scale of LA and the boys seem especially impressed with the fancy cars.
After checking in to the hostel we went for a stroll on Santa Monica pier and the students got their first taste of American food. Most enjoyed awesome burgers however a Josh C, Adam, Seth were less than impressed with their taco bell.
Before bed we all took a stroll up to 3rd street promenade with the girls champing at the bit to go shopping. Oddly enough nothing much was bought however they had a look of shear awe on their faces at the range of products.
So now it is off to bed with most of the students ready to catch up on some sleep. Time for Louisa and I to get some peace and update photos and emails
Off to Space Camp tomorrow! Another day of flying but everyone has been awesome. A real credit to themselves and Cashmere High.
All the best
Tom WK
Our flight from Chch to Auckland went off without a hitch, everyone was enjoying themselves and Kamen managed to get himself a seat right at the front. Few jealous teachers and students.
Everyone had a nice stroll from the domestic terminal to the international and Adam managed to squeeze in some more food. It was the start of a common theme for the boys with food consumed at any opportunity.
Our flight to LA got off to a slow start with the flight delayed an hour. Once under way all the students became thoroughly engrossed in the on board entertainment system. Josh L, Andrew and Izzy soon found the amenities page and ordered toothpaste and brush and a sleeping mask. They then proceeded to eat the toothpaste and customize the masks to the delight of the small kids in front of them.
Most students managed to get some sleep but winner of staying awake all flight was Josh L, closely followed by Bry who lasted until 20mins before landing.
Joke of the flight goes to Bry and Andrew who managed to turn on the muppets movie in Spanish on Tom Wk headphones when he had fallen asleep, I now know not to fall asleep before the students in the future.
The girls managed to consume an awesome amount of chocolate on the plane and were also so worried about declaring food on the customs sheet that they decided to eat all of the Lillie's they had before we landed.
LA greeted us with a cosy 17 degrees and we only arrived 30mins late. The trip to the hostel was a chance for students to absorb the massive scale of LA and the boys seem especially impressed with the fancy cars.
After checking in to the hostel we went for a stroll on Santa Monica pier and the students got their first taste of American food. Most enjoyed awesome burgers however a Josh C, Adam, Seth were less than impressed with their taco bell.
Before bed we all took a stroll up to 3rd street promenade with the girls champing at the bit to go shopping. Oddly enough nothing much was bought however they had a look of shear awe on their faces at the range of products.
So now it is off to bed with most of the students ready to catch up on some sleep. Time for Louisa and I to get some peace and update photos and emails
Off to Space Camp tomorrow! Another day of flying but everyone has been awesome. A real credit to themselves and Cashmere High.
All the best
Tom WK
LA Departure
Hi everyone
Just a quick note to say safely in Auckland and Judy waiting to board plane to LA. Boys are still eating and I don't think the girls have stopped giggling yet.
Next post from LA
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Hi Everyone
We are now one week away from leaving on our trip to America.
We have ask students to work with parents to join this blog so that while we are away family and friends can keep an eye on our progress. The teachers and students will try to post on this site everyday and include as many photos as possible.
You can join the blog by clicking on the join button on the right hand side of this page or you can simple check back here everyday to see when we have updated it.
Looking forward to the trip now and one more weekend to finalise your packing
Remember to arrive at Christchurch Airport by 4:30pm at the latest next Friday.
We will be meeting outside the Toi Toi shop on the ground level. Teachers and Staff from House of Travel will be at the airport early. Tom Wilkinson will be there from 3:30pm
Don't forget your passport!
We are now one week away from leaving on our trip to America.
We have ask students to work with parents to join this blog so that while we are away family and friends can keep an eye on our progress. The teachers and students will try to post on this site everyday and include as many photos as possible.
You can join the blog by clicking on the join button on the right hand side of this page or you can simple check back here everyday to see when we have updated it.
Looking forward to the trip now and one more weekend to finalise your packing
Remember to arrive at Christchurch Airport by 4:30pm at the latest next Friday.
We will be meeting outside the Toi Toi shop on the ground level. Teachers and Staff from House of Travel will be at the airport early. Tom Wilkinson will be there from 3:30pm
Don't forget your passport!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)