June 2008

Hear Their Take on the Flying Field Trip to Space Center Houston

As Poetry Christian Community School students and their chaperones wrapped up their day at Space Center Houston, they jotted down their thoughts on their award-winning field trip to the nation's "epicenter" for space travel. Here's what the winners of the Adopt-A-Pilot "CAREER TAKEOFF" national contest had to say ...

STUDENTS

"NASA rox!!"

"I couldn't believe how fast rockets go."

"I liked all the educational and wonderful sites."

"I liked learning how to land a spaceship [on a simulator]."

"I learned how they use the bathroom in space!"

"I liked our Pilot, Mr. Blankenship."

"I learned that there is hardly any carbon dioxide on the moon."

"I liked it when we went to see the big space ship [Saturn XVIII] that is in different parts."

"My favorite thing - the 'play spaceship' [simulator] that I had to control."

"Today I learned that Gemini means two [from the Gemini missions where two astronauts were in the capsule]."

"I liked flying in the airplane!"

"I learned that every tile on the space shuttle is different."

"I learned how rockets blast off."

"Today I learned that gravity is very strong."

"I had fun on the slides [in the play area]."

CHAPERONES

"It was interesting to realize the speed and effort that it takes [spacecraft] to break out of the atmosphere...over 26,000 mph."

"It was great to see the 'astronaut's classroom.'"

"I liked learning how the Saturn rockets released in stages and helped propel each part."

"The best part of the trip was seeing the kids have fun and learn at the same time."

"It was a pleasure to get to meet new people and spend the day with my daughter at the Space Center. Thanks for all you did!"

"My favorite part of the trip...was seeing my daugher's face light up with excitement. She was overjoyed by the whole experience. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity."

"My favorite experience was our tour of the training facility. It was amazing to see how massive and technical the equipment is. Thank you for the tour!"

"I most enjoyed viewing the original mission control room. This was nostalgic for me as I used to watch the Apollo take offs and landings at school. I remember watching Apollo 11 on TV."

See Space Center Houston through the Adventures of the Winning Class

Pilot Mentor Shawn Blankenship arrives at Houston Hobby Int'l with his award-winning class from Poetry Christian Community School, near Dallas.

A Space Center Houston guide discusses the one-man and two-man capsules from early Mercury and Gemini missions. He points out the "scars" on the bottom of the Gemini capsule from re-entering earth's atmosphere at high speeds.

The group overlooks the actual Mission Control Center that helped guide Apollo 11 astronauts during man's first landing on the moon in 1969. The room, with its relatively primitive computers, has been preserved so visitors to Johnson Space Center can feel a part of the history. Current Mission Control operations now take place in an adjacent room.

Students see what it's like in the cockpit of the modern Space Shuttle.

Students pose by Saturn V, the 363-foot rocket that never took off for the moon, due to budget cuts in the early 70s. It's now property of the Smithsonian Institute and is housed at Johnson Space Center. Students learned that the U.S. is planning another trip to the moon, probably in the next 12-15 years.

Teacher Sherri Duggan hops back in the tour tram with students at the close of the day. So much learned, and so much fun! Well worth all the effort in entering the "CAREER TAKEOFF" national contest.

Sussex Elementary Students Help Honor BWI "Adopted" Pilots

Chief Pilot Bert Seither recently welcomed a crowd gathered at Southwest's Baltimore/Washington International gates to kick off the "Ace" Award celebration. The event was a chance to honor BWI Pilots for winning this prestigious award that recognizes the Base with the highest percentage of Pilots participating in the Adopt-A-Pilot program.

On hand to help applaud the Pilots were students from Sussex Elementary, a local Adopt-A-Pilot school, and their teacher LaTonya Belser, who spoke at the event. Also featured as speakers were Tom Bowser, Sussex principal; Captain Don Saunders, BWI Adopt-A-Pilot Ambassador; and Melanie Jones, Southwest Airlines Community Relations Manager and member of the Adopt-A-Pilot Committee.

The students used their artistic talents to create a custom "thank you" for the BWI Pilots, and they were also treated to exciting airport adventures, including a security canine demonstration and a tour of the  fire station.

Melanie Jones presented the Pilot Base with an "Ace" Award plaque commemorating the Pilots' significant contribution. And as a special bonus, a random drawing was held for "blue pass" airline tickets, which went to First Officer Martin Tennant.

Our thanks to all Pilots from all our Southwest Pilot Bases who have volunteered in hundreds of classrooms coast to coast this year. We congratulate BWI for earning the 2008 "Ace" distinction and wish you all good luck in taking home the title next year!

AAP Ambassador Don Saunders and Chief Pilot Bert Seither pose with Sussex Elementary Students

Sussex Elementary students tour the Station Fire Dept.

Sussex students get a moment in a 737 cockpit during their airport tour.