Posted in My Homeschool FAQs

Today was our 3rd and final day of Space Camp.  What did we learn today?

We learned about the Space Shuttle and it's 3 parts:

1.  The Orbitor - This is the part most people refer to as the Space Shuttle.  But actually all of it is the shuttle.  The part the Astronauts live, work and travel is is actually called the Orbitor.
2.  The E.T. (External Tank, I also learned NASA has an acronym for everything! LOL)  this is HUGE orange tank that the Orbiter sits on and is filled with liquid hydrogen.
3.  The Solid Fuel Rockets - These are the 2 rockets that are on either side of the Orbiter and shoot off like fireworks to thrust the entire Space Shuttle into Space!


We learned about Astronaut Training.  Here are some of the things the Astronauts must know:

1. What is our job.
2. How to get into space.
3. Where are we going.
4. Other languages (Space is international after all!)
5. Teamworks
6. Physical Fitness

Things Astronauts do is space:

1. Eat - we leanred about the foods Astronauts eat in Space and the utensils they use to eat.
2. Drink - We learned about what the Astronauts drink and how they keep liquids from floating away.
3. Use the Bathroom - We learned about The Target and Mr. Thirsty...Use your imagination.
4. Sleep - We learned about the velcro sleeping bags, night maskes and head straps used by Space to make sleeping possible (But not necessarily too comfortable!)
5. Personal hygiene/self care - We learned why you can't take a shower in space and how Astronauts do bathe in Space. 
6. Cook  - We learned how food is prepared in Space
7. Work - We learned about the jobs that are done by the Astronauts.

Other interesting facts we learned:

1.  For every 10 Astronauts in Space there are 20,000 Scientists at NASA who support those Astronauts!
2.  John Glenn  worked while sleeping in Space!  When he returned to Space in his 70's test were done on him while sleeping to see what the effects of sleep in Space are as opposed to sleeping on Earth.
3.  Disposable Diapers that we have today are from technology developed by NASA so that Astronauts would be able to use the bathroom during delays of takeoff and during orbiting.  Alan Shepard had a bad experience on his 1st trip to Space that made them realize this was needed! 
4.  This Summer the 1st German will be going to the International Space Station. Up until now it has only been the home to Americans and Russians.

It has been a really great week for our family.  On a side note I wanted to get back to something I mentioned in my 1st post about Space Camp.  Don't be afraid to ask....After the 1st day of Space Camp my kids came home so excited and full of questions I thought it would be great if they could have a little one on one time with the teacher.  On day 2 I asked her if she would be interested in going to dinner with my family and seeing some of the local sight.  She said YES!  Last night we had 4 hours of the teachers undivided attention.  The kids were thrilled and I think the teacher had a good time too.  So thank you VERY MUCH to Miss Naomi for traveling all this way and making Space Camp a reality for our family.  I know we will never forget it!

Click here to read my post about Day 1 of Space Camp.

Click here to read my post about day 2 of  Space Camp and to find a bunch of links on teaching about Space.