pic: Happy 4th of July

[Al Skierkiewicz]

That is so cool! I would love to be present for a shuttle launch. Someday, someday......

[Ryan Dognaux]

That's awesome. Shuttle launches are just amazing. I could watch them over and over and I don't think they'd ever get old. Even in today's technological age, shuttle launches still get me every time.

[Alexa Stott]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

That is so cool! I would love to be present for a shuttle launch. Someday, someday......

Yeah, it would be really cool to see one. I saw an engine test at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, but that's nothing compared to the actual launch...

[skimoose]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

That is so cool! I would love to be present for a shuttle launch. Someday, someday......

Yeah, but better still will be the day when anyone can be on board for a launch!

[Bethany Mc.]

wow...you had a much better view then me...though it was a pretty awesome view I had..the front row seat to my tv.....oks soo you had a much better veiw...that must have been amazing!3 miles away...at VIP....i hope you had tons of fun!
Oh, not to mention later that night those fireworks must have been awesome*does cheer* Sounds like you had a pretty sweet day.
I think I'm gonna have to move to Flordia. I mean Flordians are way cool, and they do know how to work great teams, but some teams couldnt do without us people in the north isnt that right barry?

[Schnabel]

Man I was there on a brige on A1A and I was able to see a better veiw than what you saw there. I just didn't see the clock. It was a totally cool launch though!

[Barry Bonzack]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

That is so cool! I would love to be present for a shuttle launch. Someday, someday......

It is an incredible Site. If seeing a shuttle launch is a goal of then better hurry to Florida, all shuttles will be retired in 2011.


Gabe (crazybear) and I were educators this summer for the robotics track of Camp Kennedy Space Center . It was an awesome opportunity, and I am very grateful to Gabe for recommending me. As promised when posting this, I finally have some video up. Jaine asked how I got to that site. We were very fortunate to get to see the shuttle from here, normally I would not be able to. However, on normal days employees can drive around KSC. I filled out about 12 pages of painful security clearance forms, that continually got sent back until everything was done the way they wanted... Gabe's pass is still cooler than mine. Below are some videos on googlevideo. All of them were taken with the Google camera from the KOP.

STS 121 Launch 4th of July 2006

Vehicle Assembly Building

Launch Control

Launchpad 39A


When the kids aren't seeing these cool historic sites, they also get to meet an astronaut and do space simulators.

original Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter

1/6th Chair simulates walking on the moon

Microgravity Wall simulates doing a spacewalk. I will deny this video ever happened or reveal the names of the people involved.


Gabe and I teach 5th-9th grade students basic robotics fundamentals using Mindstorms and Robolab. We also separate the students into groups and give them a challenge. We hold a Competitionat the end of the week that resembles a Lego league event. We teach GP and coopertition. After the competition we hand out information to the parents on how to start a FLL team and offer our personal information if they need help.

One final thing the CD crowd may like is our Starquester robot. It mobile, moves its head, arms, and winks. It is controlled with a big gulp with buttons, and a microphone to make it talk. It has a voice changer equipped. Kids love it!



Long story short, I had a wonderful summer and learned a great deal. The main point I would like to make though is that I would never have gotten this opportunity if it weren't for FIRST and the friends I've made because of it.