An amazing journey to NASA- Kennedy Space Centre

It was a dream come true! My wonderful journey started on 22nd of May 2015 under the guidance of our tour guide Mr.Vaibhav and Mrs. Rhea. We boarded our AIR INDIA flight from Mumbai to Newark .We were a group of 27 students from different parts of the globe. The flight journey was long as it took us 16 hours to reach NEWARK and from there we took the BLUE JET FLIGHT to ORLANDO which had free WIFI on the flight ,isn’t it amazing. Here begins my magical experience. We set out for the KENNEDY SPACE CENTRE by a minivan and were then transferred to their official bus. We entered through the 'Rocket garden' which was a huge lawn, with actual Rockets like the Atlas and Titan, a few of the first rockets to go to space, the actual walk through which Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked through to Apollo 11 and got a feel of how it is while going to space. Then, we took a tour of the entire compound admiring the space shuttles and the command modules which were on display Mercury, Gemini , Atlantis etc. Each of us was given a specially designed Camp KSC T-shirt, a Camp KSC Certificate and daily lunch and snacks. We Campers were divided into space-themed teams according to the Grade Level we entered for the 2015-2016 school years. Astronaut John David Bartoe was our guide and teacher for the entire camp. In addition to touring Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and meeting a veteran NASA astronaut, we campers could complete the following age-appropriate activities and challenges throughout these 3 days of our Camp. Something’s what we did during our 3 day camp from 25-27 May 2015: 1. Using K'NEX® and other materials we campers learnt the engineering principles for building a strong truss bridge. We worked in teams to design and built a series of bridges that will span a gap and support weight, keeping their fragile “Eggstronaut” alive. 2. Beat the Heat: We campers build a spacecraft that would withstand extreme temperatures. 3. Simulators: Working as a team, we campers participated in a simulated Space Shuttle Mission, and then tested our potential astronaut skills on the Multi-Axis Trainer and Trajectory Chair. 4. Train like an Astronaut: How fit do astronauts need to be? e Campers learnt the answers as to what physical fitness activities the astronauts go through to improve refle xes and strength. We also had a wonderful question answer session with the astronauts. 5. Impact Craters: Using the scientific method, we campers learnt to make Impact craters to predict and record the effects of different materials. 6. Approach and Landing Tests: We Campers designed, build and tested –fly Gliders as they approach and land on an airstrip This stimulating tour offered us an opportunity of hands on experience .We campers had a chance to connect with the people and place on a much deeper level. During the 3 day camp we students also experienced firsthand exposure to simulators and zero gravity, a small taste of the rigorous training astronauts go through before being launched into space. We were given solar bands which would glow in the sun. It was a wonderful journey. It taught me about team work, synchronisation, dedication, hardwork, team spirit which helped me make a lot of new friends during this amazing journey of mine.