We had a mission about the Enterprise space shuttle replica today. We successfully landed our mission. I was aboard the International Space Station and I even got to perform a space walk about the shuttle. I have this on video so the class will surely see!

We created rockets with engines, make balloons out of tissue paper, and had dinner with Konrad Dannenburg. Konrad is 93 years old and was a pioneer during the Space Race. He shared his great stories with us, of which I can't wait to share!

On Sunday we went through a series of astronaut simulations. This is one simulation that would allow the astronauts to experience what a bounce and roll landing may have felt like on the surface of the moon. This was a FUN ride! There was also a simulation that let us see what gravity would feel like at 1/6 the gravity of earth.

Sunday was a big day for us with a mission planned aboard the shuttle Atlantis. During this mission I was responsible for PROP in mission control. Basically anything that boomed I needed to monitor. The shuttle mission was a great learning experience. Unfortunately, we didn't land successfully.

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is our last day at Space Camp. I have met so many people from around the world and from the U.S. Every person here is motivated and excited to bring back from Space Camp what we have learned for the benefit of our students.

As I said before, we were placed into teams when we arrived at Space Camp. I am on team inspiration which includes people from 6 countries and numerous states including Minnesota, New Jersey, Arizona, and Ohio. The team that we are in has worked very hard to create a team "mission patch", perform two flight missions, and create numerous rockets and other projects for our classrooms.

Early on Friday we learned the role of each member during a NASA launch. We discussed the roles of the Mission Control, the people in the US that monitor the flights in Houston, Florida, and Alabama. We also learned the roles of the individuals aboard the International Space Station, and the crew aboard the shuttles. We then had an activity the incorporated geography in the classroom.

To finish the day on Friday we designed rockets that were made from a two liter pop bottle. The rockets were shot off using a bike tire pump and shot further than any of our expectations. I don't want to give too many details as I am for sure going to do some of these activities next year!

With the discussion on reaching Mars, we attended a workshop on Hydroponics. For every pound that we put into space the cost is $10,000. Do we want to send a shuttle that is full of soil for growing plants to Mars with a cost like that? Hydroponics is looking at how to grow plants, so that astronauts will be able to grow their own food on the months long trip to Mars.

Sadly, our water activities were cancelled due to storm warnings here in AL. With all of the experiences we have had, we were disappointed because we knew this experience would have been great!

Mr. Rand with Story Musgrave, a six time astronaut in space!

Among the 200 teachers selected are 12 from Minnesota!

So many comments! I love it, keep them coming. I would like to start today by commenting on some of your comments. I love the question, why did I want to come to Space Camp? Teaching 6th grade, in a suburban school district I love the opportunity to provide students with first hand experiences. Of course, I would like to bring the class to the camp but that would cost way to much! I am here with teachers from 43 states and 19 countries. We are having a great time learning, and sharing ideas of ways to incorporate space into our teaching! The Honeywell Corporation has truly given the teachers here a chance of a lifetime!

On the first day of camp we received our space suits! Yes, I now have a space suit. We started the day with an IMAX movie called "Roving Mars." This was a great explanation of the raise to get to Mars. Following the movie we were privileged to listen to Story Musgrave. Mr. Musgrave came to the U.S. from Germany during the time period the US was raising to the moon. Story has been in space 6 times and was the person responsible for fixing the Hubble Space Telescope. The pictures and the stories that he shared are truly amazing.

We learned the history of the NASA Space missions patches and our team designed our own space patch. The history and simplicity of the patches is something I never knew.

Having 200 teachers here, Honeywell ended the first day with a gathering for all Space participants.

Space Camp has for sure exceeded my expectations! There is a shuttle named the Pathfinder here that was used for fittings. This shuttle was the test shuttle placed on top of the 747 for transport between Florida and other states, and was also used in Florida to test numerous operations of the space shuttle when the Apollo aircraft was switched to the current day orbiter!

The stories continue and I will keep them coming! Tom Hanks was even at camp today to watch his sun graduate!

OK, so it is now the end of day 1 at space camp. I am so sorry but I can not yet figure out how to post pictures on the web site. I promise that I will work on it for tomorrow. I am so glad to hear from the summer school class. I am doing well. I hope that you are all treating Mrs. S with respect. I am sure I will be proud of you when I return.

Yesterday was a relaxing day. I flew from Minneapolis to Memphis. We left 45 minutes late due to congestion on the runway. I arrived at Memphis and with little layover time got on board a flight to Huntsville. Upon arriving in Huntsville I was the first off the plane. Walking off the plane I saw a man in a space outfit and I knew he was waiting for me. It turns out that he was waiting for actually 12 of us who were on the same flight together. I thought I may be the only one! I had no idea that 12 people on the same flight were going to Space Camp!

I arrived at the dorm to find that I was the first of the 4 in my suite. It was kind of like the show "The Real World" were everyone waits for their roommates to arrive. First, Martin arrived from The Czech Republic. Tom was second from Ohio, followed by Tim from Arizona.

We ventured to Walmart. It was a easy night. The adventures were sure to come for Thursday! Please stay tuned.....

Ok here goes. Tomorrow is the day that I leave for Space Camp in Huntsville AL. I am hoping that atleast one of my students will follow what I am doing. I have read what to bring, checked in for my flight and am busy doing laundry. Sorry, that I have not yet posted any pictures. I will try to download atleast one of what the camp looks like...please check back often, as I am hoping to update this each evening! If you have questions, PLEASE ASK!

Here is a description of the who, what, when, where, and why.

Honeywell Awards Science and Math Education Scholarships to Leading Teachers

Company Sending 200 Science and Math Teachers from 19 Countries and 43 U.S. States to Honeywell Educators at Space Academy Program

Honeywell announced that it has awarded scholarships to 200 teachers from 19 countries and 43 U.S. states to attend the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy program from June 16 to June 28, 2006 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

The global group of teachers will complete an intensive educator curriculum focused on space science and exploration in addition to participating in real-life astronaut training. Each Honeywell Educator was awarded the prestigious scholarship following a rigorous application and selection process involving nearly 1,000 competing teachers.

"The Honeywell Educators at Space Academy program is designed to help teachers inspire the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math," said Tom Buckmaster, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions. "Honeywell is committed to providing students and teachers with programs, experiences and resources that bring science to life in memorable, life-changing ways."

During the program each Honeywell Educator will participate in a variety of activities including 40 hours of classroom, laboratory and field training. They will also have the unique opportunity to participate in astronaut training exercises including a high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training, and a state-of-the-art flight dynamics programs.

Teachers applying for the Honeywell scholarships were required to submit a 500-word essay describing the tools and techniques they use to motivate students to study science-related fields and pursue technology-related careers. Financial contributions from more than 1,700 Honeywell employees help support the scholarships, which include tuition for the five-day program, roundtrip airfare, meals, accommodations and program materials.