Days 1 and 2
Friday
Early morning for all – meeting at the airport at 7am was a challenge for us teenagers, especially those of us who had travelled down from the Highlands and Aberdeen the day before. The flights were a good ice breaker between everyone, and by the time we arrived at Houston airport we were all well acquainted.
We were greeted at arrivals by a kilted piper who led us out to the waiting bus. After a 40 minute drive we arrived at the hotel, admired our rooms, and came to a common room on the 11th floor for our welcome and introduction. We were encouraged to stay awake for as long as possible to settle us into the time zone change. Most of us were socializing until we had been awake for 24 hours!
Saturday
Our exhausting day of recovery from our travels! First was our buffet breakfast, then into minibuses – the ‘mystery machine’ and ‘the A-team van’ – to Johnson Space Center football field for a game of football (soccer) against the NASA young engineers. It was a tight game, with both sides having been leading the score, until we were down 4-5 with 3 minutes to play. Within the 3 minutes we skillfully scored 2 goals and conceded none to give us a 6-5 win. Result! The game was enjoyed by all, players and spectators/cheerleaders alike.
Lunch was at an aquarium themed restaurant at the Kemah Boardwalk amusement park. A wholesome lunch while talking to NASA employees and British astronaut Nicholas Patrick was followed by an hour and a half of fun on the rollercoasters and rides at the Boardwalk. On return to the hotel we ascended to the common room and were assigned reporting tasks or, for the musical among us, a wee chance to get together and practice for music night later in the week.
At 6:30 we piled back into the minibuses for the welcome dinner at Tanya Lippincot and Donnie Hicks’ who are friendly NASA engineers. We indulged ourselves on tasty Mexican fajitas and burritos followed by smores (melted marshmallow and chocolate in a biscuit sandwich) the brave (or foolish!) among us took a dip in their somewhat cold swimming pool and shivered while talking to more NASA astronauts, engineers and scientists about their careers and experiences.
Everyone mingled well together, and we all enjoyed our evening there. By the time we returned to the Hilton we were all exhausted and stumbled into our beds for a long sleep and a well deserved long lie, at least for those of us who didn’t have to do this report…..
Look out for tomorrow’s report!
Dale Coghill and Steven Eardley
Space School Reporters
