The Flight Simulator

One of the more hair-raising attractions of the day was the flight simulator experience at the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Smithsonian Museum. Many students took to the virtual skies, piloting their own jet fighter or gunning down enemy fighter jets. While the experience wasn't completely realistic (the intense G force of such flights can not be simulated so easily!) the virtual flyers certainly felt like they earned their wings!



 

Kathryn, Hannah, Steven and the SR-71

Mrs. Caiazza's War Memorial Memories

Comments Fixed

For all of you who have tried to leave comments on the blog, we think we've fixed the problem. Thanks to everyone who has been following us along on our trip so far, and we look forward hearing your comments.

Even Better Than the Real Thing

The Udvar-Hazy Museum is impressive. It's part of the National Air & Space Museum; however it's much larger - about four times as big. Housed in a hanger outside Dulles Airport, the musuem has more planes than you can count. And not just replicas, but many of the actual aircrafts that have helped shape aviation history.

The students had lots of different favorites here. A lot recognized SR-71A Blackbird that came to life in the Transformers movie. Others liked the many WWII era fighters and bombers including the Enola Gay. A few liked the Nemesis - a competitive air racing champion. Mr. Musselman particularly like the Space Shuttle in the McDonnell Space Hanger.

Hovever, the general consensus as the most exciting part was the flight simulator ride, in which students climbed inside a closed cockpit and flew as if they piloting a jet. "It was so much fun," said Bailey. "I turned upside down to try to make Leonard sick." Be it known that Leonard managed just fine...

Now off to dinner.

Mr. Amster's Aspiration

Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum

Thank you veterans of World War II.

"Knowing that from terrible war comes great peace gives me a feeling of security." - Ryan, commenting on the memorial's meaning.

World War II Memorial

Harry holds up the Washington Monument.

WWII Memorial

Matt, Carter, Quillen, and Aidan

On Location @ The U.S. Capitol

Photo Opportunity

After lunch at the Reagan Building the class made a brief stop in front of the Capitol. We will be returning to this site for our Capitol tour on Wednesday. For now, it's on to the Ford's Theater and World War II Memorial!

Face to Face with the Real World

Not often does school collide with the real world. Sure we try to create and plan "real-world" activites and projects for our classroom, but for the most part these are just simulations. However, this morning was truly a real-world experience. Just ask the dozen or so "civilian" passengers who had not expected 100 eighth-graders on their Air Tran business flight from Boston to Baltimore.

The trip was uneventful - a good thing in this case. We boarded our plane, took off, and landed with a realative sense of calm and organization (though there was clapping on each end of the flight and when the students coordinated a simultaneous closing of the window shades to cast the plane into complete darkness) But what was most interesting was seeing the students navigate their way through a whole host of real world experiences - checking and retrieving baggage, following instructions through security, and meeting up with chaperones after being allowed to find food or restrooms.

There will be many more situations throughout the week when school and the real world will intersect, but if the first few hours are any indication, the students are more than prepared to handle them.

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We have landed!

Arrived!

We have landed!

Now Boarding

Leonard, Matt, Troy, and Bailey are anxiously awaiting the boarding process to begin. The excitement is building for the trip. We can't wait to arrive in Baltimore.

At the Airport

We made it through rush hour traffic, and now we're heading to the gate. Handing out the boarding passes for over 100 students proved to be quite a challenge.

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The Send Off!

The trip is just a few days away now!

Students should arrive at Parker at 6 A.M. on Tuesday morning to check in with their chaperones and load their luggage onto the buses. We will leave Parker promptly at 6:30 A.M. for Logan Airport. The weather next week in Washington looks to be hot and sunny with the chance of isolated thunder showers so don't forget your sun block and rain gear!

DC Trip 2011 FAQ Video