Space Shuttle Endeavour Field Trip

Yesterday was a big day for my sweet little second graders! We took our one field trip of the year to the California Science Center to see the space shuttle Endeavour!!! They were so excited and in awe of the experience. Once we arrived at the Science Center we had to wait a bit for our assigned time to go in. As we were waiting my kids saw this:
They wanted to know how many gold balls were hanging from the ceiling. So they started ESTIMATING in groups of 10 to try and figure it out. How cute is that?

Once we got into the museum, the kids saw a short video of how the Endeavour was delivered to the museum through the streets of Los Angeles. An amazing feat in itself, I must say! The kids also got to experience what Mission Control looked like.

And then... the big moment arrived when we walked into the hanger to see this incredible sight!

I'm not sure if the kids REALLY understood how amazing it was to see this enormous object that had traveled into space so many times. It is massive! It was crazy to see each individual hand crafted heat tile, up close and personal!  They were surprised that there was only a little hatch to get in and out of the shuttle. They were expecting a door to open like in a regular airplane. They were also surprised how beat up and mangled it looked. It wasn't all "pretty and shiny" as they put it. All in all, the kids loved it! They were completely wiped out by the end of the day. The bus ride home was very quiet compared to the way there! 

If you are in the Los Angeles area, I highly recommend this experience. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity!


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11 comments :

  1. Crystal @Primary on the ProwlMarch 21, 2013 at 5:53 PM

    That sounds like an amazing experience! I love field trips.

    My Kinder-Garden

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    1. Bright Concepts 4 TeachersMarch 21, 2013 at 8:53 PM

      Thanks, Crystal! I wish we had more than one trip a year, but if we only have one, this is the way to go!
      -Jaime

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  2. Just Wild About TeachingMarch 21, 2013 at 5:56 PM

    Wow looks like a lot of fun! I'm your newest follower, drop by! =)

    Just Wild About Teaching

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    1. Bright Concepts 4 TeachersMarch 21, 2013 at 8:56 PM

      Thanks for stopping by and leaving a sweet comment.
      -Jaime

      Delete
  3. UnknownMarch 21, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    How fun is that?! I taught my student teaching students a unit on outer space and they just LOVED every minute of it! I bought an actual meteorite for them to hold and look at. I even made my own space suit and wore it to school! Outer space is such a fun concept for the children. They get to really use their imaginations! I am so jealous of this field trip! It looks like it was a lot of fun!

    Kayla Parker
    Meet Miss Parker

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    1. Bright Concepts 4 TeachersMarch 21, 2013 at 8:58 PM

      That is so wonderful that you made their experience as hands-on as possible. I must see a picture of your space suit. I bet is was incredible! Hopefully the kids will remember this trip for a lifetime!
      -Jaime

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  4. AimeeMarch 21, 2013 at 8:31 PM

    What a fun trip! We take one field trip a year too, and it's about all I can handle! So happy that you got to see this piece of history, my friend!

    Aimee
    Primarily Speaking

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    1. Bright Concepts 4 TeachersMarch 21, 2013 at 8:59 PM

      Thanks, Aimee. I was an exhausting day but I wouldn't change a thing. The kids loved it!
      -Jaime

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  5. TaniaMarch 22, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    That looks like the coolest places to go on a field trip. I love bus rides that are quiet. Bu ride + nap times are my kind of trip :)
    Tania
    My Second Sense

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  6. Kate @ EduKate and InspireMarch 25, 2013 at 7:47 AM

    I would LOVE that field trip! What a neat experience for your students! And that's too cute about them estimating the number of gold balls! ;)

    Kate
    EduKate and Inspire

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    1. Bright Concepts 4 TeachersMarch 26, 2013 at 8:25 AM

      Thanks, Kate! They loved every minute of it! It was an incredible experience.

      Delete

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