This summer, I explored the sky and space with my students in the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Curriculum Research and Development Group (CRDG) Summer Program. I can’t tell you how much fun we had!

Although our four weeks together passed all too quickly, we learned so much about weather, flight, and space. In our weather unit, we studied the history and importance of tracking weather, air pressure and its effect on weather, how clouds are formed and how to predict the weather from studying different types of clouds, and severe weather. The students made weather instruments and used them to record and analyze data, and they worked in groups to write, video, and edit newscasts about severe weather. Justin Fujioka, a meteorologist from KITV news, came to our class to talk with us about weather instruments, tides, and severe weather. During our flight unit, we studied the parts of a plane and the four forces of flight. A friend of mine, airplane mechanic Rick Nakamura, did a fantastic presentation for the students that really brought these concepts to life. The students also designed and flew paper airplanes to test how modifications on the plane affected how far they flew. They made a variety of flying gadgets with Dr. Gadget (an amazing Manoa resident who I’m saving for another blog topic!), and created tennis ball contraptions in groups to show their understanding of drag. In our space and exploration unit, the students learned about the vast universe and our own immense galaxy. To end our unit, the students learned about rockets, and then built and launched their own rockets at Sandy Beach Park.

Our most valuable learning experiences actually took place outside the four walls of our classroom. I want to share with you the amazing field studies that we participated in so that you can visit these places with your family. I guarantee that you’ll all learn something new!

• The Pacific Aviation Museum- We learned about World War II and the aircrafts that flew throughout our history. We also tried out computerized flight simulator to test our flying skills!
• The Pacific Aerospace Training Center- it was so interesting to find out more about how pilots are trained and how airplanes fly! The students were able to view, sit in, and even control (on the ground) working airplanes! The students had another chance to fly in the training center’s highly interactive flight simulator
• Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station (I couldn’t find a website- the link is to a wikipedia definition of the site with photos)- though the drive up to this site was a little scary for me (I’m not big on cliffs or steep, narrow roads), it was such a unique site. It is where the Air Force monitors satellites as part of the U.S. ballistic missile defense program, and we were able to see the huge antennas as well as an incredible view
• The Windward Community Aerospace Lab and Imaginarium (Planetarium)- we enjoyed hands-on exploration in the lab with Science related toys and gadgets, and then experienced an interesting and interactive trip through the solar system in the Planetarium show
• The University of Hawaii campus- what a resource! We visited the National Weather Service, where we learned about severe weather in Hawaii, as well as the Department of Planetology, where we learned about the Milky Way and beyond.

You can see photos of our experiences here. There were so many photos that I couldn’t choose just a few! After four weeks of studying the sky and space, all I want to do is learn more! Anyone know of other places I can visit?

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