Hampton SHS 2019 NASA Tour

Our final day! Finally got to witness some nature in the Everglades on an airboat tour spotting wildlife such as blue herons, snail kites and yes, alligators. On arrival back to dry land the students received a fascinating insight from larger-than-life Native American personality "White Dove" on the way of life for First Nations people in the area. A bus trip to the airport allowed time for reflection: wonderful experiences, excitement to see loved ones at home again tempered with some trepidation at the 33 hours of purgatory in between.

Skydiving and education seem an unlikely pairing but prior to their "skydive" at iFly Orlando this morning, students measured mass and surface area to perform calculations and predict how this would affect their aerodynamics during their adrenalin-raising freefall in the wind tunnel. Team NASA then spent some time at "Gator Land" where students witnessed some very well fed alligators and other animal exhibits. The day finished with dinner at Disney Springs "Planet Hollywood" where the birthday boy received some big screen attention and an ice cream sunday the size of his head. Some small amount of shopping may have occured afterwards.

Americans do things BIG. A morning at Wonderworks (think Scitech but BIG) where the group interacted with a range of exhibits including optical illusions, hurricane machine, an astronaut trainer, ropes course, simulators and more. Following this the students were able to relax and practise their putting skills in a buccaneer themed minigolf course, complete with pirate ships and multiple water hazards. The BIG American experience was rounded off with an American buffet at Golden Corral. A half hour walk (or roll) home rounded off a more relaxed but enjoyable day in Orlando.

Universal day 2 saw some more behind the scenes insights into the rides with our VIP tour guides. They were so impressed with the behaviour and demeanor of our students that we were given VIP access to an additional attraction, meaning our group was able to skip the lines at four rides including the gut churning "Hulk" roller coaster. Students then explored the park to go on water rides or to overspend in the gift shops. Some very tired students looking forward to a slower pace in the days ahead.

Universal learning! The STEAM program taught the direct application of the 6 degrees of freedom (movement) required in controlling rides - heave, sway, surge, yaw, pitch and roll. We witnessed this afterwards on a number of 3D/4D experiences, rollercoasters and water rides. Possibly the scariest time at Universal was witnessing the Harry Potter mania that manifested from a number of students when we went through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

An amazing, frenetic final day at the KSC! Robotics Challenge, real time piloting a robotic Mars rover, Mission to Mars exhibition, incredible IMAX experience, Lunch with space shuttle veteran Don Thomas, Rocket Garden tour, real Orion & Space X capsule exhibits, Heroes and Legends Astronaut Hall of Fame, rounded out with our Space Trek graduation (with honours) and a bus trip to our new hotel at Orlando. Primed to hit Universal Studios tomorrow!

On our second day at Space Trek, students were tasked with the Mars Rover Challenge. Team skills were tested as they wrote and tested code designed to safely navigate a vehicle through tricky Martian terrain. Next was the NASA theatre where an informative and engaging insight into the contributions made by the flight controllers of the Apollo missions (including the moon landings) was gained. Capped off with an amazing experience of the Atlantis shuttle exhibit and a shuttle launch simulation that had everyone's heart racing.

Day 1 of 3 of Space Trek completed. Students were introduced to key robotic and programming skills by a NASA software engineer. We also took a tour around the important buildings and heavy machinery that are used to build and transport the space rockets.

We have arrived in Orlando after over 30 hours of travelling... Tomorrow (after some needed rest!) we will be starting our epic 3 day Space Trek at NASA's Kennedy Space Center!

First flight to Sydney done. Waiting for our LA flight to take off!

19 very excited Hampton SHS students starting their awesome NASA Tour!

3 days to go!!