CALYPS³O 2007 Journal
Indiana School for the Deaf
Indian Creek High School

Day 2, June 14, 2007

Gabriel (ISD):

Officers James and Greg assigned the students to two different vans so that way we couldn't stay with only our friends. During the trip to the Kennedy Space Center, we talked little bit, but for myself, I slept the whole way. I was tired because Corey Burton couldn't stop moving around all night. When we arrived at the Kennedy Space Center at 9 am, the parking lot was packed with many different visitors. I predicted that before because today was supposed to be the day for the launch of a satellite on an Atlas 5 rocket, but it was cancelled. During the line, I realized that the admission prices were so expensive that each person costs sixty dollars! We had to get through security exactly the same as the airport except for taking our shoes off. We went to the Rocket Garden where they display the actual sizes of the rockets. The biggest one we have seen was the Saturn V. We had to write in our journals, which it was the worst part for me. I had to draw a picture of a F1 engine of the Saturn V, and it was much better than writing in the journal.

The next part for us was watching an unbelievable and exciting experience in the International Space Station, a 3-D movie. The IMAX theatre was packed and it was such a jaw-dropping movie, I suddenly became jealous of those astronauts because they got to experience zero- gravity. It looks so much fun, and of course for myself, I seek fun often. We ate lunch with an astronaut, Rick Searfoss. He gave us his lifelong, amazing experiences from being an astronaut who flew into space three times. The food was okay because I wasn't in the mood for that kind of American food. I was begging Ms. Huckleberry to eat at Olive Garden for our dinner. I am highly sure that she is sick of me bugging her about what I want to do and what I want to eat. Ms. Huckleberry, I am sorry :). Anyways, after we ate, we went on a bus tour to visit the whole KCS area, which covers a total of 146,000 acres. We visited the launch pads and they were so enormous. I dropped my jaw and let my tongue stick out for a while when we saw the VAB - Vehicle Assembly Building. It is the world's 3rd tallest one story building! We took pictures, of course, most of them were done by Ms. Huckleberry and Officer Greg. It was wonderful that we got the chance to see up close where the Challenger and Apollo 11 lifted off from the pad, because that incident was an experience which changed Amerian history. The total time of the bus tour was 3 1/2 hours. By the time we came back, it was almost closing time, so we luckily got the chance to enter the Apollo/Saturn V building where they showed the timeline and history of the Apollo program itself. I didn't realize how many people shed tears during the big fire of Apollo 1. Grissom, White, and Chaffee died in honor so the Apollo program improved itself into a great succes, Saturn V! It is the most complex machine we have ever built. After we watched the movie, we entered the huge hallway where we witnessed the actual Saturn V and it was pupil-enlarging moment because it was unbelievably massive. I was glad that I got to witness the actual Saturn V. After that, we ate out at Sonny's, and it was not bad for me because I am not fond of barbeque sauce but the other kids seem enjoyed it lot. What I am excited most for tomorrow is that we are going to a seafood restaurant, which I have been bugging Ms. Huckleberry for this. Thank you.

Nyle (ICHS):

Today was our first real day on our amazing "educational" field trip, so naturally we were all excited about what lay ahead. We awoke and went down to the continental breakfast where the delicious smells of donuts aroused my senses and brainwashed me with thoughts of obese sin. I apologize for my last sentence. Anyway, we then went to the Kennedy Space Center and viewed its many aspects of "educational" information. We saw an IMAX movie that hurt my eyes, scared me, and gave me a headache, and I loved every minute of it. We had a nice lunch and an astronaut answered our questions. We saw many other areas of well put together history. It was all worth it. Also, we had a long bus tour of the surrounding areas of the Space Center. I won't lie. I kept nodding off, but it was very interesting and I encourage everyone to come here and take the tour. After we left, we came back to the hotel and everybody did their own thing. I went to Ron Jon's Surf Shop and looked for some items. I need to go to bed because it is past my bedtime. The police are waiting to escort me to my cell/hotel room for the night. Nighty night! Photo at left --- Group photo in front of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center

      

Visiting Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center                                    Group photo in front of a Saturn V engine



Students "ham" if up for the camera inside an Apollo capsule.




A Gemini Capsule

     

          Students get their photo taken in an Apollo capsule.                   Students are ready for watching a 3-D movie about the space station.

        

Students with Astronaut Rick Searfoss                                              The Atlas 5 Rocket waiting on the launch pad




A turkey vulture spreads its wings to cool off it body in the hot sun.



Students with Launch Pad 39A in the backround behind them.