well, the last day was absoultley amazing!
=] everything was perfect along with all the other days, first we woke up at 620 and Susan Picked us up and we had a surprise !
we got to meet Ellen Ochoa ! She was amazing she flew four times and was the boss!  =]  She was very inspirational. Next, we went to Robotics and we saw robonaut and spidernaut and the moon rover, which was so cool that they will actually be able to use that.

Then we went to the Mission Control where it was actually active on nasa t.v. we met kelly who taught us some stuff and then we met the flight director who was actually talking to an astronaut helping her with a problem they were having in the sattilite ! =] Then we went live on nasa t.v.!! It was awesome!! So yeah then we headed to Meet the co-op's and interims ! which they were very inspiring they made me want to co-op when im able to because that is a better way to get hired by nasa. And it was awesome how humble they were because they just told us to get help. And just to if you don't understand it then you know get tutoring because it will only come back to haunt you. But, it was very awesome.

Then we headed to Lunch which we had the pleasure of meeting Pam Melroy who was Commander of her shuttle missions which was awesome cause we asked her you know if she knew what she wanted to be and she knew ever since she was little she wanted to be an astornaut and she wanted to be in charge and look at her she is now living out her dream but, she had to leave because she was going to ride in the t-38 which was awesome, We also had Dotty which was awesome to get to chat with her again. Every one is just really encouraging and inspiring. It's amazing! truthfully...

Then we went and saw The t-38's which were super nice and we met SOLO he was so cool ! He told us alot and it was super exciting we got to see like everything. Then Munoz dropped her camera trying to rush to get a picture with solo and she was like oh well that big ol dent will be called solo. haha! it was awesome! Haha then we went to the Eva's specialist where we learned all about the old space suits then we got to try on the sleeves and we had to try to write with them which was pretty cool! =] 

Then it was off to the airport :( our trip had ended but, the journey has just begun!
It was such an amazing trip the whole time every thought that went through my head i couldn't believe how insprining everything was and how much i really did have a passion for space. And how much Munoz impacted my life and just because of her i was able to apply for the experiance and it was awesome! Everyone put so much effort into making this "DREAM EXPERIENCE" and it truly was it truly became an eye opening thing to me. To see what the future could look like for me. Everyone was so kind and everyone and everything was perfect I wish i could i could have stayed longer i truly do. I hope to come back in the future. It's opened a book that will never be closed. It was also such a blessing to see Munoz dream come true it truly inspired her as much as it did me or nicole. She was taken by it all. I was to I just contiune to think of how much I learned and how much I got to do and experiance and I'm so thankful to everyone who had a part to play in making this trip everything it was. As i came home and started sharing all my stories to everyone i realize that there is nothing I love more! And i hope you contiune to do the dream experiance so you can encourage and inspire other teens! :) The trip was perfect and i will remember it forever!

Starting off on a personal note and ending with a recap on the amazing 3^rd NASA Day

Wow…it’s over but not really! Today was my last day at NASA JSC. Today’s feelings are so different from the days before because I am looking at it from a reflective point of view and when doing this I can’t help but to be taken back by it all! Winning the NASA dream experience has really been the most amazing thing of my life! This trip has truly changed my life! Saying these words and just thinking about it makes me want to cry because I am so happy and thankful for my experience! The people who put this trip together are truly amazing and I am just so thankful for their hard work and determination in making this trip such a successful event! Not only was I inspired by this trip but it really was a beautiful thing to see how this trip inspired my students as well! Each day I was able to see how this experience molded my students Nicole (my first biology student whom I taught 2 years ago) and Ciara my earth space science honors students whom I currently teach). Seeing how they changed was such a treat as an educator but especially as their teacher in particular. Before the trip the girls’ definitely had a strong interest in science and very much enjoyed space science but after this I believe it evolved from an interest into a passion! Being apart of this and getting to see how this trip changed them is something I will never forget and I am so thankful to have been apart of this moment in time. Their transformations also make it so that I am now not alone…. Before this trip to NASA I must admit that I already was a full blown Space/NASA fanatic! As a teacher students often find it funny how I am so inspired by NASA and am so excited to teach about space in my classes. Being an astronaut is something I have dreamed of all my life and often been teased for having such high aspiration but that has never let me down.  So to get back to the story line I myself already loved space and therefore did not anticipate how much I would still be affected by the NASA experience. I knew I would love it but did not realize how much it would change me as well! I learned so much about how NASA works and functions and getting to meet the amazing people that work at NASA really inspired me and refueled my dreams and desires of wanting to become an astronaut! Although it came as a big surprise to many to learn that the teacher also wanted to do something related to space they quickly became encouraging as well! Some astronauts I met like Karen and Dottie took out the time to tell me how I could make my dreams come true as well! People were encouraging and that made all the differences. I know the road ahead of me is long I know that in addition to teaching (which I love as well) one day I will get to work for the fabulous NASA… a place which I leaned is so much more than astronauts and engineers… it really is a microcosm…it’s own efficient world with employees who support one another and really love their job. It seems that NASA takes good care of their employees by providing them flexible schedules and many opportunities to make heath a priority in their life by providing much work out opportunities. NASA really is an amazing place and the Johnson Space Center is one of the best places in the world! So…like I said, I always knew I wanted to go to NASA but now I found out what a great place is to work at as well!

Being an astronaut one day will give me the opportunity to have a larger classroom because I will get an opportunity to reach even more students because I will travel to schools and do anything and everything to do my part in inspiring future generations to work for NASA!

About the series of today’s event… to be continued…

The second day of my NASA experience began in a hectic mad dash and a lot of stress do to my own fault but then ended perfectly! The Dream Experience team managed to set up yet another amazing day! NASA has some really amazing people working there and we were all so lucky enough to be able to meet so many of these amazing and inspirational people! I am so thankful for each and every single person who has dedicated their time into setting up these amazing days full of activities.

I would like to elaborate so much on this day but have ran out of time because I spent all night filling out the INSPIRE program application…something that is also cool and everyone should check out! J But I will quickly try to recap this amazing day!

The day began crazily because I realized when getting ready to head to NASA I did not have my ID! Long story short… I left it at Olive Garden! I can’t believe I did that… surly I won’t do that again!

At NASA our morning began with Josh who is the Flight Director of MCC Simulations. He explained how everyone plays a role and they come up with what they call a script, two days before, where they decide what errors to program into the space shuttle to have the practice room learn how to deal with potential problems that one can encounter once in the real MCC (Mission Control Center). It was so amazing to learn about how everything works and how NASA really always practices safety first over and over… since there are basically two practice rooms before you get to work in the real MCC or shuttle. Michelle who works in the MCC SIMS also spoke to us and talked about how she gets to travel to many places though her job and how much she loves it…She was so kind and helpful answering all our questions! Then around the corner we ran into Heidi! Running into Astronaut Heidi was such a treat and very special for me because she flew on STS-126 (which just launched this past fall) and the first launch that I went to Titusville to see! I saw this beautiful night launch from just outside the town line and now here I was meeting someone who was onboard it! She has a lot of robotics and engineering background and it was cool to see how she ran things. However, she was very busy so we quickly left.

…To be continued since I have ran out of time…

The continued…continued!

After meeting everyone there we walked over to the other MCC where people were dealing with the program designed by the MCC we were just in. Here I met one if not the most inspirational person at NASA thus far! Here we had the pleasure of meeting Ginger Kerrick! She was soooo amazing! She was so personable and eager to meet us…which was so nice! She immediately told us a personal touching story about the time she applied to be an astronaut and when that did not happen because of minor medical issue she did not give up! Instead of given up on her dream she went on to do even more amazing things then becoming an astronaut like paving the way for people to be CAPCOM with out first having to first be an astronaut and working her way to the top as the first Hispanic women to be a Flight Director! A role so powerful that not even the president can tell her what to do! She taught me the importance of never giving up toward your dreams! She also made me realize the importance of taking care of your health (which is something I definitely don’t do) to be ready for anything…because I met her… my life will forever have changed! I now have a new role model…some one who never gives up and persevered independently on her own until she made it all the way to the top. She took the devastating news of not being able to be an astronaut into something positive and powerful because she became someone who is basically the boss of the astronauts and tells them what to do! She said to always be assertive and don’t be afraid to push the limits and see what can be accomplished! I am so thankful I met her!

After this we headed over to building 17…the food lab. Here we had the immense pleasure of getting to do something only astronauts do which to taste and score our appreciation of the food that astronauts eat. Here Michelle Pittman a nutritionists and Kimberley Glucos-Alt –food scientist talked to us about how foods are freeze dried and then re-hydrated.  We learned about how astronauts have pretty strict diets and when onboard the ISS they often like to trade their food with the Russians because their foods have more fat and flavor since their diets are not as strict. It was interesting to learn all the little ins and outs of how astronauts chose their food and why.

            -A little side note: yes it was true that having to eat the spicy green bean as apart of the astronaut food tasting was not my favorite part…and it took me a long time to warm up to the idea…but I did in the end try it…which was brave of me since I don’t do fruits and vegetables…but since meeting Ginger I will change my ways…some J

After this the day proceeds to still become even more amazing! I believe today’s lunch was definitely the highlight of the trip so far because it was the careers lunch in! Here the girls (my students Nicole and Ciara) where able to meet women in the careers they aspired to have. It was so special for me as well to see how excited the girls were to meet…basically their idols! Nicole especial was trilled to have gotten the chance to meet Astrobiologist Kathie. Like me, she was so impressed that they were able to get a real Astrobiologist to come and meet us. I too am really interested in astrobiology since I am a teacher who teaches both biology and earth space science so it was really cool for me too! Kathie left a long lasting impression on us because of her real zeal for life and the immense passion she has for her job…she says that everyday she asks herself what will she do today and then she answer by saying…something cool! A flight surgeon was there and spoke to Ciara about her training and experience which really provided Ciara with great information. Also at the table we had Sara Dora who is a flight controller who trains astronauts and Janelle Holt who is a student education specialist. Both these women were really so kind and helpful! The both of them provided me and the girls with great information about how one goes about getting prepared for a career in NASA. They really helped a lot… I can’t stress it enough! At lunch also we received a surprise visit from Clay Anderson, Susan’s husband who is an astronaut. He gave us singed pictures and was so kind on have stopped by on his busy schedule (He is going back to space on STS 131)!

          After lunch we stopped on a small but really cool detour! We were able to go to the actually fields made to look like the surface of mars and the moon! This is where robots and rovers are put to the test. It was really cool walking on this site because it really did feel like it was out of this world! After this experience we went some where I have always wanted to go to!  The NBL… Neutral Bouncy Lab! This is where the astronauts train for their EVA in a super giant pool! We started off our tour with Michael who told us all about the Sonny Cater Training Facility (where we were) and how it was named after Astronaut Sonny Carter. He provided us with lots of detailed information like the dimensions of the pool which are 101 ft. wide, 202 ft long and 40 ft deep…wow! Michael even explained how the tanks of oxygen the astronauts use once submerged in their suits underwater are actually Nitrox… which is made up of 46 percent oxygen. The tour was then taken over by Philip a student in a CO-OP program who like me, wishes to be an astronaut one day. He took us into the TC, which is a test control room A and B. In TC B people were there overseeing the EVA of the two astronauts currently under water… they had audio and live video streams of the astronauts every move.  While we waited for the two astronauts who had been in the pool for 6 hours straight to come out we were able to see the rest of the facility. When the astronauts did come out we got to meet them! One was Dottie which we were super excited to see again since Dottie is the astronaut that came to our school to tell us that we had won and we met Garrett an experienced astronaut who was very nice as well. It was so nice of them to stop and talk to us after having spent 6 hours in the pool working.

            We finished off the day by actually going to a tourist place… Space Center Houston: a place for people to go and learn about the history of NASA along with fun activities. We all had a great time but it was so cool to think in the back of our heads how we were one of the few lucky ones to actually be going to the real NASA and getting to see how it works from an employee’s point of view!

            We again were lucky enough to have Dinner with Jenny our cool PAO/ NASA VIP chaperone! We went to Papasitos a Mexican restaurant which was something new for me. We had a really great time and… I didn’t leave my ID this time! J

NASA is SUA (SO Unbelievably Amazing)!

February 24, 2009

The real day 1! Johnson Space Center AKA NASA!

7am: Wake up call J

8:30: Susan Anderson picked us up and we got our badges, notebooks, space pens and pins and were ready to go!

Jenny and Josh met us for a tour with Frank our driver and Lori the tour guide. We arrived at the SVMF – Space Vehicle Mockups Facility and met with Karen Nyberg, an astronaut who flew in the STS-124 Discover! Karen was super nice! She told us how it was when she went up and lived in space for 14 days. The mock up models that she took us to were replicas of the real ones that she lived on when on board the ISS. She really inspired us with her enthusiasm for space exploration and determination. She told us to go for our dreams…and she told me as well which meant a lot to me because she still said I can make my dreams of becoming an astronaut a reality! J She also gave us signed autographed pictures!

Next on our tour we met Tim Hall the FAO (Flight Activity Operator). He gave us several tours of the MCC (Mission Control Center). First we saw the MCC for Mercury and Apollo astronauts (the one just like on the movie Apollo 13) and then we proceeded to the MCC of ISS  and lastly the MCC of the Space shuttle. The rooms were full of people working on their particular job. It was so amazing to be able to be able to see these people do what they do in action! CATO controlled the cameras and we saw the ISS outside view. Tim was so knowledgeable of everything that went on in MCC. Upon meeting him you can tell how passionate he is about his job! He shared so many facts with us and answered so many of our questions! It was really great!

Then we had our lunch break which turned out to be just as exciting as everything else! First we met Kalya, a high school senior intern who originally interviewed us over the phone. The highlight of lunch was finding out that were having lunch with an astronaut! We had lunch with astronaut Stephanie Wilson, an astronaut who flew on STS-121 followed by 120. She is also getting ready to fly on STS-131. She told us how she became an astronaut and about her missions! She blew me away with her many credentials and scholarly accomplishments. She was very kind, soft spoken and an inspiration person to meet!

Afterward we met Linda B. who is a shuttle Robotics instructor. It was such an amazing opportunity to work with her because she trains astronaut on how to use the robotics arm and then she trained us!  We were able to train using the same computer simulators that the astronauts train on!  Linda also showed around building 4S. There we walked into the model of the capsule. Then we all got chance sit on the toilet bowl…a model of the toilet used in space on the space shuttle and ISS!  

Our first NASA day ended with a chance at getting to work with Sam, an instructor on the SEMS (simulators) for Space Shuttle Missions. We rode on board a “space shuttle” on the flight deck and had to strap in like real astronauts! We were in a small cramped compartment full of buttons! We each got a chance to land the shuttle! It was so exciting and a lot of fun!!!

Our first day in NASA was really amazing! Everyone was so nice! We were able to learn and do so much in just one day!!!!

I can’t wait for “tomorrow”… the day will start at 7am J

PS. Dinner with Jenny…The NASA PO who is really cool!

Day 2:

If I had to pick one word to describe my first day at the Johnson Space Center it would be- AWESOME!!!! Susan picked us up from the hotel and took us to get our badges. She also gave us a notebook and a space shuttle pen which was pretty neat. After that we met up with Karen who was an astronaut on the STS-214. She showed us around the Space Vehicle Mockups Facility. While in the SVMF we got to see how small and cramped a Soyuz was, and she also showed us the living conditions the astronauts deal with in the space shuttles. Next Timothy Hall the FAO showed us the Mission Control Centers one of which was an exact replica of the one in the Apollo 13 movie. He told us a lot of interesting information, and explained to us all the different jobs in the MCC and how they all play an important role in the success of the different space missions. Finally lunch came and we ate some good food in the cafeteria. We were greeted by Kayla who was a senior in high school just like me. Except she was an intern for NASA and one of the people who we interviewed with when trying to win the contest. We also were surprised by having the privilege of eating our lunch with Stephanie Wilson as our special guest! Just the day before I told Ms. Munoz how I wanted the poster she had of Stephanie to hang on my wall to inspire me to reach for my dreams. And there she was in the flesh! Eating her lunch, while answering a bunch of questions from us. She was such an inspiration to me being an African American female astronaut, and she’s originally from up North just like me. She told us about how she was preparing for her 3^rd mission! After lunch, Linda the Robotic instructor showed us a simulator she uses to train the astronauts on how to use the robotic arm. Last but certainly not least we got the pleasure of meeting Sam. He took us on a motion simulator where we got to launch and land the shuttle simulator. It was a fun filled day topped off with dinner at olive Garden with Jenny, the coolest PO ever!

   Wow what a long, exciting day! We started with and adventure and it kept going till our day ended. As we partied all night the night before we weren't expecting the early 7:00 am -Wake up CallOur excitement began with getting ready for our day we got dressed makeup, hair, etc. Then we went for breakfast at The coffee house, which was delightful.  Susan then picked us up at 8:15 to take us to JSC to receive our Badges (made us official) then we received some amazing goodies including notepads to take great notes, pins, and pens! As we continue to take a tour with Frank the driver and Laurie the guide who gave us loads of info! We then arrived at SVMF - Space Vehicle Mockup Facility where we met Karen Lyberg a female astronaut who flew on STS-124 Discover. She showed us the Soyuz which were the emergancy escape and how the transported people! Also she showed us the Capsule where the astornauts move around, how they sleep, and where they use the restroom. She showed us the Add on's that will later be added to the satellite by the robotic arm. 

We then moved on to a tour with Timothy Hall -  He was an (FAO) Flight activity operator - He showed us the (MCC) Mission Control Centers the original one which was in the Film "APOLLO 13" Also was used in the actual launches of Mercury and Apollo Missions. We then took a tour to the (MCC) of the (ISS) International Space Station- Which showed us where the team had to work together and how each person was devoted to their job's because it was like running a marathon because they were on all the time 24/7 practically. They even worked holidays! Then we continued to the (MCC) of the space shuttle and it was important because now they are raising the future generation to be in the room and let the people with families work in a office, but be on-call at all times. We learned about their risks, and how important each of their jobs are.  Learned that the Cato- Camera control he has the views of the satellites which help them repair the tiles on the outside of the satellite whichthey recently found where wearing down and continued by fixing it immediately with the help of CATO and camera views. We then headed to lunch where we met Kayla the interim which phone interviewed us before we were selected for the dream experience. (I had a Chicken ranch wrap) "Amazing" by the way, but thats beside the point we then had a surprise guest join us at the table aka Stephanie Wilson Astronaut who flew on STS-120 and then flew on STS-121 and will fly again on the STS-131.  She was very inspiriational, she told us it was difficult, but that we could do it. She told us about her background and her story. It's a breath of fresh air to met women of high power, it shows us girls that we can be astornauts and its not just for men its whoever has the dream and just to prusue your dream.  We then went into the gift shop where we spent some money!!!!!! haha, but we bought some really cool shirts which we will wear to our school and represent ! Then our next Adventure was to meet Linda who was a shuttle robotics instructor who trained astronauts, how to use the robotic arm which helps move and transfer things. We then experianced it ourselves we had the oppertunity to do the simulator that the astronauts actually train on. It was exciting and a totally awesome experiance. While having left over time Linda then took us to Building 4s which is where the astronauts work but, we were going to the simulators. She took us to see the actual potty they use in space, Where on the potty they have to use a camera to align themselves for practice. Its pretty cool, we got to sit on it and take pictures! haha! Which hopefully no one will see just kidding.

Then our next tour was Sam where he took us on the SEMS (simulators) Launch and Land simulator they actually use to practice which it was pretty cool cause we each had a turn to be the pilot and land the shuttle. It was very difficult actually, then Jenny flew and was landing and Sam the instructor pressed a button on accident and we crashed, It was funny though. AMAZING day! then they gave us some space food to wrap up the day.

* Well then Jenny took us/ joined us for dinner at Olive garden which was totally delicious we all had leftovers which I'm about to go eat mine right now! 

Thats it for today! Will blog again tomorrow !!! :) 

Peace -Ciara!!!!!!! =]

Hi everyone! I would like to tell you about my first amazing day in Houston Texas! Well first I would like to inform people that my student’s Nicole, Ciara and I are so thankful to have won the NASA Dream Experience Contest! It seems that with NASA they always have a surprise up their sleeves! It was a surprise when we found out that they were going to our school and a bigger surprise yet to find out we were the winners! Everyday since NASA came the girls and I have been so excited about our trip! We all truly love science and learning about science and therefore are so thrilled to be going to NASA first hand! :-) Ok I guess I should tell you about the first day!

It was a hectic morning in Florida but luckily everything fell into place as it should! We were early to the airport and had time to explore. Once on the plane... we were everyone’s favorite people on the plane...well maybe not... we were extremely excited the whole flight and kept telling everyone about how we were going to NASA! When landing we began walking toward baggage claim we were surprised at all the really cool NASA pictures of the Space Shuttle and Moon Landing! The girls and I were talking about the NASA pictures and as we turned the corner we were shocked to find Jenny and an astronaut commander Quest also known as Susan Anderson waving at us! It was so exciting to see them there! There special greeting let us know our Dream Experience was official and really happening! It was fun walking alongside Commander Quest and seeing all the excited kids and adults as they shock hands and high five an astronaut! :-)

We got our belongings and headed to the Kemah our hotel and entertainment zone! We set up and headed to eat pizza and ride a lot of rides including riding the drop tower four times :-) "a hundred foot drop". So far back in the rooms we have been studying our NASA terms...well not me… the girls had to practice :-) We can't wait for tomorrow!!!!! NASA here we come! :-)  

Day One:

My first day was pretty sweet! We had an overall smooth ride on the airplane. When we landed we were greeted by Jenny and Commander Quest! Which was Susan in a space suit, so we got a lot of attention from all the little kids in the airport. On our way to the hotel we were quizzed on NASA acronyms. It was really fun learning all the insider NASA terms. Once we checked in we got to go on the Board walk, eat pizza, and go on rides! I went on everything but the free fall simply because i'm not as crazy as Ciara and Ms.Munoz (Ha ha). But I think this was a great start to our NASA Dream Experience and I can't wait to see what they have in store for us over the next 3 days!