A group of 43 students availed of a novel opportunity of going on a cultural-educational School trip to the United States in the summer holidays. We were accompanied by our Principal, Mrs. Tania Joshi and teachers, Dr. Anu Singh, Mrs. Mithu Paul, Mrs. Sangita Verma and Ms. Sukhmeen Cheema.
The focus of our trip was a visit to the Kennedy Space Center ( NASA) in Orlando, Florida. Our day at KSC started with an exercise to explore the ' human side of space' in the Astronaut Hall of Fame and Museum, complete with the sights, sounds and experience that frontline astronauts who first ventured into space encountered. We got the rare opportunity of meeting a veteran NASA engineer- cum- astronaut, Charles Walker who shared his experience about how he started out at NASA and the physical and mental challenges he had to overcome during his trainings. We enjoyed his account of what it was like to travel in space! He patiently answered all our questions too. In fact, our session concluded with his encouraging words, that all it takes is good education and determination for what you want to achieve!
This was followed by the Astronaut Training Experience (ATX), where we put ourselves through tests, performed hands-on space exploration activities, and also experienced a space shuttle mission simulation. This intense, exciting half day of hands-on training is the closest most people ever get to going into orbit; that's how realistic it gets! Our first day at KSC ended with a graduation ceremony, where each of us was certified for successfully completing the ATX.
The next day we went to the Kennedy Space Centre and started off with a walk around the Rocket Garden, which comprises historic rockets that first put astronauts into space. After this we took a bus tour of the entire KSC Visitor Complex and were also shown the Vehicle Assembly Building, which is one of the largest buildings in the world by volume, and also the tallest one story building. We were told that it was originally used to assemble American-manned launch vehicles. We were shown a number of short movies and clippings about the space race between Russia and USA, about the number of trials and retrials it took to build a rocket that could put man into space safely. Also about the numerous efforts that were required to turn a rocket into a glider and much more.
We visited the Saturn V Center, and what we saw was the priceless, historic spacecraft, Atlantis, which tells the incredible story of NASAS 30 year Space Shuttle Program. The last activity of the day was the Shuttle Launch Experience, and it gave us an amazing 'high'; simply indescribable! realistic incredibly realistic simulation of the space shuttles eight and a half-minute ascent into the orbit with unprecedented vertical range, high-definition audio-visual effects, and launch briefing and guidance by space shuttle Commander, Charlie Bolden. Towards the end of the simulation, the payload bay doors opened to reveal a breathtaking view of Earth! We were overwhelmed.
We also visited Disneyworld and Universal Studios in Orlando, which redefined fun and enjoyment for us. Our teachers not only gave us a free hand, but joined us in the fun by taking most rides with us. The nail-biting roller coaster rides and simulations can just never be forgotten!
We flew from Orlando to Newark and boarded our bus for Boston as we were scheduled for a tour of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Most students, like us, dream of someday studying in these august institutions and needless to say, we all were very excited to know what its like there. Other than the campus tours, we were informed about how to apply to courses at these universities, what the requirements are, the courses they provide, what the criteria for scholarships are, etc. Later at Harvard, we attended a workshop which was taken by an undergraduate student there. He talked to us about leadership qualities like being charismatic, innovative and having command and control; and what it actually takes to be different from the usual. The day ended with another workshop, The Einstein Workshop, where we were divided into groups of four and had to build motor cars with Lego bricks, by ourselves.
Once again we got on the bus and left for the Niagara Falls. The next morning, we visited Goat Island, where we took a boat tour of the Falls called Maid of the Mist. As the name suggests, it was an experience of riding straight into the mist made by the vast dropping waters. Water rushes all around as one soaks, as it were, in the excitement. The boatride was a half hour thrill of a lifetime, and we could not get over the beauty of the spectacle of the Falls.
Finally we left for New York. It was getting dark, and the few glimpses we caught of the Manhattan Skyline en-route created huge anticipation of our sightseeing tour which was to start the next morning. The first place we visited was the Empire State Building. We were taken to the 86th floor Observatory, from where we had a perfect panoramic view of the city.
Our next stop was Madame Tussauds, a wax museum of figures of famous Hollywood stars, leaders, pop stars, historical figures, sport stars, TV stars, Bollywood stars and royals. Later in the evening, we stopped at Times Square with it's the busy avenues, life-size LCD screens, flashing lights and loot in the shops! No wonder New York City is called the city that never sleeps! The next morning, we took a cruise to The Statue of Liberty. The view from the boat was mind-blowing and worth the wait in the queue. Lady Liberty is indeed a work of art sitting on the skyline.
With that, our trip came to it's end and we head out for the airport. Filled with memories of a lifetime, it had been an unforgettable piece of ' edutainment'.
ANISH BHAT, XII B
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