A Flight to the Moon and Back

On Monday, we went to one of the best places in South Carolina-the Roper Mountain Science Center.

I remember going there as a kid and was excited to find out that my class would get to go for the Universe in a Day program. I even learned some new things on this field trip!

We started our journey in the Planetarium. In case you don't know, the Planetarium has a dome shaped ceiling that videos are projected on. It feels like you are actually in the video.  My class got to see technology at its finest!Our instructor introduced us to constelations, the path of the sun, and moon phases. We got to see the final shuttle launch and learned about Roy G. Biv-the most colorful man I've ever seen!

We then made out way to lunch where I was pleasantly surprised with a buffet of food. My principle's sons are in my class and she always brings the teacher lunch on field trips. I had lasagna, grapes with dip, bread, and peanut butter cookies. I had always heard her boys say how much they love field trips because there is so much food. I completely understand now!

After lunch, we went to see the biggest telescope in South Carolina. In the Observatory my class learned about how telescopes are made and even got to use some telescopes themselves! They soon discovered that whatever you see through a telescope is upside down. That blew some of their minds!

Our last stop was the Universe Classroom where my class performed two experiments. One showed them why the moon goes through phases. They used a model to see that the moon's light is a reflection of the sun and it goes through phases depending on what area of the moon is visible. The second experiment showed them why it is cold in the winter and hot in the summer. They learned that the sun is in the sky longer in the summer, allowing the air to warm longer. In the winter, the sun takes a shorter path across the sky so it is colder. This also explains the time changes.

My kids really seemed to have a good time. Based on what they wrote about the trip, they learned a lot too! I was very proud of them because they were respectful to everyone we came in contact with.