2010 NASA Student Symposium

With the presentation behind us, we spent a beautiful day at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex (http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/).

We had about 3 hours to enjoy the complex before lunch. We had a chance to ride the Shuttle Launch Experience, which is a simulation of a shuttle launch - including a very bumpy two minutes up to SRB (Solid Rocket Booster) separation. We also watched "Magnificent Desolation" at the IMAX theater (http://www.imax.com/magnificentdesolation/) and visited the gift shop.

After lunch, we attended a demonstration by the NASA Education Specialists, which included some fun with liquid nitrogen, a propane torch, and a Space Shuttle style sleeping bag. Crissy had the opportunity to demonstrate it for the group.

We also attended a "Career Panel" discussion about education and experience paths leading to a NASA career. The event was web-casted and included some questions from participating schools via email. Following that event, we loaded the buses for a trip to the Astronaut Hall of Fame (http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/astronaut-hall-of-fame.aspx). The visit included "Science on a Sphere," which was giant, TV-like sphere that I am unable to describe. You may want to visit the website listed above. It was really cool.

After dinner this evening, Crissy and Libby were presented with certificates and medals for presenting our team's investigation.

Tomorrow, we travel back to Jackson... and a forecast of highs in the upper 40's... uhg.

It truly has been a wonderful experience for our kids and we are all very proud of the work done by everybody on the Parkside Robotics Team (including Tim, Evan, and Devon).

2010 NASA Student Symposium

Kennedy Space Center

It has been a great day... a busy day! We are tired so today's post will list the highlights:

We visited the Kennedy Space Center today to tour the facility and to make our team's presentation. In the morning, our group toured KSC and what a thrill. We were able to see the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad being prepared for next Friday's launch. We were able to get as close as you possibly could without actually going up to the pad.

While touring, we also visited the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), the Apollo Center (where our chicken friend, Glenn, joined the group.

After lunch, Crissy and Libby presented our team's robotics investigation. They did an awesome job.

At dinner, retired astronaut Robert Springer spoke to our group. We all enjoyed his presentation about his career as a pilot and Shuttle astronaut.

See http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/springer-rc.html for more information about Robert Springer.

2010 NASA Student Symposium

Photos - May 5, 2010

Crissy and Libby at DTW...

... on Cocoa Beach...

... and with Robert Cabana, Director of Kennedy Space Center.

2010 NASA Student Symposium

Today was a travel day and as far as travel goes, it was a very easy day. Everything went according to the plan. We arrived at the hotel around 3:00 p.m., which gave us about 2+ hours of "free time" before dinner. We took advantage of the time (and the weather) and went down to Cocoa Beach for a walk.

At dinner, our featured speaker was Robert Cabana (http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/cabana.html). He is the Director of the Kennedy Space Center. He shared many stories about his astronaut days and gave the students a very inspiring message.

After dinner, Crissy and Libby practiced the team's presentation. Tomorrow, we will tour KSC in the morning and present in the afternoon. Till then...