On Tuesday we had a special mission in Albuquerque.
Quite literally.
We were to participate in The Challenger Mission program, which was set up by our home school group at The Challenger Learning Center.
From the website: “It’s a unique hands-on learning experience that completely engages students in an exciting simulated space mission that includes a realistic mission control and an orbiting spacecraft – produced with guidance from NASA. Students are transformed into astronauts, scientists, engineers, and researchers as they work collaboratively to solve problems, make decisions, and share in the thrill of victory through accomplishing their mission.”
It all seemed so exciting. I was kind of hoping I could participate, too. But alas, this mission was just for the kids, and parents were told to come back a few hours later to pick up our astronauts and space engineers.
So, Jen and I decided to get outside and go for a little hike in the Sandia Mountains instead of waiting in town.
There was a newly placed letterbox on a trail that we wanted to search for. So, off we went.
While it was dry in Albuquerque, it was snowing up in the mountains….and at our house, too. It made for some mysterious and beautiful vistas and we enjoyed our hike together. Dobbie did, too. She really enjoyed the rock hopping most of all.
Looking down below us at the City of Albuquerque.
After finding the letterbox and doing some exploring and photo taking, we headed back down into Albuquerque to pick up Jax and Jem at The Challenger Center.
They had a blast!
They couldn’t stop talking about their responsibilities and job descriptions and the results of the mission. Oh and how much fun it was. The instructors were inspiring, authentic and exciting, too.
They begged to be involved with more of these, and it’s a good thing that The Challenger Center not only has these mission events throughout the school year, but they also have summer camps. We’ll be signing up to do more of these missions, for sure.
And Jen, Dobbie and I can head up to go hike in the mountains while brothers are managing space missions and working on changing the world.
13 comments :
That sounds great. Good for the boys.
Dan
Ah-ha...different kinds of challenges for the whole family that day...two and four-legged!
Wow, it's hard to decide who had the better time. I wish that I could have been with all of you at the same time.
I forgot to tell you. They named one of the dogs at the animal shelter Dobby with a "y". I saw it once, and then it was gone, so it must have been adopted. They also have a Chiweenie that looks like your Dobbie only hugely fat, so they named her Vienna Sausage. They also have a wonderful, though painfully thin, German Shepard named Tahoe. I wanted to take her home, but my husband says no more dogs.
That sounds so wonderful.
I love the mountains!
Jen is growing into such a wonderful young woman.
What a good day for all:) So you finally got my curiosity piqued with this letterboxing. We were at the dog park the other day and mr. G found a geo cache, which I've done once with a friend but didn't want to have to use a gps to hunt them down. I checked out letterboxing and saw we have several nearby. we're starting tomorrow after we buy our books and stamp!
What a fun day for everyone! Love looking at the snow on the mountains, but so done with seeing on our grounds, come on spring!
I used to teach a program for gifted kids. My favorite things to do were things similar to what you described. I loved setting up learning experiences that paralleled real-life and engaged the kids in true problem solving.
It sounds like it was a blast!
Your pictures are beautiful.
I'm planning on planting my first letterbox...I think I said that over a month ago! One of these days!
What an exciting adventure!!! Wow,I sure hope that your kids appreciate the fact that their momma ROCKS!!!!!
Ok, your daughter, my daughter and their little dogs in sweaters need to get together. I bet they'd get along so well. Love the pics, all of them :)
What a fun and exciting day for everyone. The field trip sounded amazing! So glad the boys had a great time. I love hands-on educational learning! The pitures from your hike with Jen and Dobie are beautiful. Looks like you two had a great time as well. =)
Happy weekend to you all! =D
I would have wanted to participate too. But, after you showed the pictures of your hike, I think that must have been just as much fun.
You're such a great mama exposing your children to so many things. Sounds like fun.
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