Educating Risa

Today the boys and I headed to the airport for a field trip arranged by a local HS Mom: Spaceport! Spaceport is a little-known Calgary attraction, in the airport right beside the food court. It has tons of hands on things for kids to learn about space (and air) travel/exploration. We had a super day!

We arrived and milled about, checking out various displays. Daegan really liked the rocket launcher (you select a load, an amount of fuel, and see if you can make the rocket hit the ceiling):

The scheduled day began with a presentation about life as an astronaut, with lots of NASA film footage and some artefacts for the kids to examine. Here’s Gareth checking out the macaroni and cheese packet, with velcro circles on the back so it can be “attached” the the astronaut’s special dinner tray (which uses velcro and magnets to keep items from floating all over):

We learned how astronauts do all the necessary things in space: eat, drink, shower, sleep, and yes, even use the bathroom. Remember, there is no up or down in outer space:

We then had a short break before the next class, allowing the kids to explore a bit more. Both boys loved the “how to fly an airplane” demo—there was a lot of wind blowing towards you (note Gareth’s hair) and if you manipulated the controls correctly, you could get the airplane to lift off the ground.

Then it was time to build your own launching rocket, using paper, tape, a film canister (remember them?) and ‘fuel’ of alka-seltzer and water:

Daegan’s finished rocket:

Gareth’s rocket being alka-seltzered and put in the pan in the corner, for lift-off:

Next it was on to a group project, to build a “monster machine” to help humans live on a new planet that has been discovered that can support life. The boys’ groups made a rover with solar panel and windmill for energy source, and it could plow snow as well as act as a heater. It was dubbed “Solar-wind rover…aka koala” so as to incorporate everyone’s ideas.

Each group then went up on stage, said their names and explained their monster machine. And yes, my little hams quite enjoyed having a microphone:

We had lunch, then headed off to Star Lab, a portable constellation dome they set up in a corridor of the airport. Yeah, it raised a few eyebrows.

Inside Star Lab the kids learned about constellations and their myths. Gareth was quite enchanted by this part, and came home to tell Jim about how the constellation Cancer has no stars visible to the naked eye—you need a telescope. I found the description of Leo’s stars as forming a backwards question mark quite amusing. That’s my sign, and at times I feel indeed like an enigma of an enigma.

In the final presentation of the day, we learned a bit more about NASA history (including the tragedies, something I commend them for not ignoring), as well as about Newton’s Three Laws. Gareth got to go up on stage to help demonstrate the second law, by shooting two differently weighted foam balls at a nervous volunteer (who was a great sport).

Daegan got to help demonstrate the third law, about equal and opposite reactions:

The day ended with a couple of complimentary rides. We all went on a space shuttle time travel one (which allowed me to confront simultaneously my motion sickness AND claustrophobia—you are completely sealed in the dark in that one—arrggh!). And then a flying one the boys did solo:

All in all, a really fun day of learning. My favourite fact of the day: I didn’t realize that Calgary airport is an emergency shuttle landing site (not that it matters now), as we have a runway the required length (5 kms). If you haven’t been to Spaceport before, go check it out. They have a homeschool day coming up in January. Give them a call (or check their website if/when they update it) for details.