"Mission to the Moon"

Adam's school class went to the Challenger Space Center yesterday for a simulation activity called "Mission to the Moon." The center is sponsored by the families of the astronauts that were killed when the space shuttle Challenger exploded. (Do you remember where you were when it happened?) It was their hope that it would serve as a living memorial to their loved ones and help teach young people about the importance of space travel. Guided by their commander, the students' mission was to retrieve a probe that had wandered off course, land on the moon successfully with the probe and then return to Earth. They split the kids into two groups - half the kids are in "Mission Control" while the other half are on the spacecraft, and then they switch places. It's a great field trip because the kids have to figure out how to do everything on their own, and the parents aren't allowed to say a word! (We were the "aliens"- strange people who know nothing. . . sounds about right to a kid's mind!) Adam and his friend Rylan were on the probe team, and it was their job to repair the probe and make sure it landed safely on the moon. (They were the only ones who got to wear lab coats because they were working in the "clean room." They loved their look and declared themselves official nerds.) Other kids worked on navigation, life support, communications, and a host of other tasks. There are now over 50 Challenger Space Centers nationwide, and if your child ever has a chance to go to one, I would highly recommend it. Adam (and I) had a great time!

Working in the "clean room."

Their commander works with the kids in "Mission Control"

Communicating with the astronauts in the spacecraft.