Mrs. Osika

Today the students enjoyed the
experience of the MAT or Multi-
Axis Trainer. This simulator
aids the astronauts in keeping
balance while in space. As they
whirl around and around the
stomach stays in the center as
long as they keep their eyes
open. The inner ear also stays in
balance.

Although this young lady was at
first hesitant to experience the
MAT, she decided to give it a try
as her teammates cheered her on.

Wow! This is great fun. Much
better than sitting in the
classroom and just reading about
how astronauts train. It's so
much better to really experience
it.

We performed our mission today.
Those who are in uniform were
part of the shuttle crew. Those
in regular clothes were part of
mission control. After this
mission the students realized how
important it was to work as a
team. Shuttle crew and Mission
Control are both vital to a
successful mission.

Meet the Commander of the
Discovery Shuttle Mission. What
a great job he did!!!!

The scientists aboard the shuttle
are also vital to its success.
The scientists were given several
experiments to perform and had to
do them with precision and they
had to be completed in a timely
manner.

Can you guess who these
astronauts are???? These
astronauts are performing an EVA
or Extra-vehicular activity--
that's space lingo for space
walk. They found their task more
difficult than they thought it
would be. They found their space
suits quite cumbersome and HOT!!
I believe they have a new
appreciation for the astronauts
wearing and working for hours in
these suits.

These astronauts are part of the
scientist crew. They performed
their experiments and are getting
ready for the return to earth.
You will be happy to know that
your children returned safely to
earth and had a very successful
mission. They worked wonderfully
together!!!!