Why do I love space? M. Kelly

A lot of people have asked me why do I want to go to space camp? Why do I love space so much? My first response is to just give them a dumbfounded look and say... because... why wouldn't you?! Then I force myself to think. Why do I like to learn and teach about space so much?

I have always been fascinated by the subject. The earliest 'space' experience I can remember is being in kindergarten and watching the Challenger launch in class. We did a lot of learning about space that year in a build up to that event. A teacher, Christa Mcauliffe, was going into space to teach kids around the world about the subject. You probably know how that story ends in tragedy, but I think it also had a positive effect on people. I know it did on me. I was mesmerized that a real person, a teacher, could go up into space. I loved learning about the planets and stars. It was fascinating thinking of all the what if questions about the subject.

In 6th grade, we built and launched rockets. We did all of this from things that you could find around the house. I remember being told that we were going to get to create and launch these objects. I couldn't wait to see how it worked and what made it fly. It was fun to design and then release our very own rocket! The day that we got to set them off was one of the most exciting, memorable days in elementary school. I remember hearing about space camp and thought it was a mystical place... but never knew it was something attainable to regular people.

When I went to college to be a teacher, I always enjoyed my science classes more than most others. The labs were the best part in making the learning come alive. You actually go to DO what you learned about. It made learning real and hands on. When I did my student teaching, I got to choose the curriculum I wanted to teach first and I choose space!


My first teaching experience in my own classroom on the subject of science was when I taught 2nd grade. I loved making my own students have these hands on experiences. We studied, observed, and made replicas of the phases of the moon and how/why we orbit the sun. One of my favorite days was when I pulled out the lamp, globe, and Styrofoam moons to show students why the moon looks the way it does from Earth's perspective. I loved watching my students faces and answering their questions about all things science! We had the best discussions during this subject.

Then I landed my dream job of being a gifted educator at the middle school level. I got to choose my units of study... hmmm. What do you think one of the first thing my kids studied was? Space! Now I had a NASA resource though. A fellow teacher told me about the local Challenger Learning Center. The had curriculum and mock missions to space! I was sold. We did Mission to Mars and learned all about the red planet. I couldn't believe this resource was right in my back yard.

I continued these missions when I came to my new elementary gifted position. The first year at my current school we did a mission about a comet at the Challenger Learning Center. We learned all about the international space station and rockets. We had a speaker tell us about satellites and their jobs in space. We also had a connection to someone who had actually traveled to space. You know, someone who knows someone who knows someone?! Thanks to an awesome parent, we set up a phone conference with 4 time space traveler, Commander Daniel Brandenstin! I think I was more excited than the students. We were going to talk to someone who had lived the dream of going into space. My students prepped their questions and studied his four missions. It was quite a learning experience for my students and I. Something I will never forget.

Now I get to look to the future and my current thoughts on the subject. I ask myself, as an individual, why does the subject intrigue me?

1. It puts us in perspective.
This video says it all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEheh1BH34Q
We are so small in comparison to what is out there. Anytime I think that I am this huge deal, I watch this video. Not so much!

2. It is endless.
The learning is endless. Space is endless. There is so much to learn that it could never end. And we are always learning new things about the subject. I like the fact that we could ALWAYS be learning something new! It is exciting.

3. It is mystical.
 It is mind boggling to think of the things we don't know. Your imagination could run wild. What will we know about space when my children are adults? I love the mystery and discovery of space exploration!

4. It is beautiful.

5. It brings out sense of exploration in us all.
The development of NASA and our space exploration was a truly brilliant idea. It brings us together as a nation. In my opinion, it brings out some of the best traits in humanity. Those of wanting to learn and work together towards a common goal of knowledge and understanding.

I can't wait to add my experience of Space Camp to the mix. I can't wait to teach my next space unit in this coming year. What will I bring back and be able to add to my space memories? How can I inspire my students to learn and love the subject that is so close to my heart? Hmm...  :)