The Ultimate Field Trip

As you read about this study trip, please know that 

100 percent of the cost was paid by private donors.

 Talk about a field trip! Austin entrepreneur and astronaut Richard Garriot led an AISD team, including myself, on a field trip to the Challenger Learning Center located in Colorado Springs. At the Center, visitors can participate in simulated space missions. We had the opportunity to participate as in-flight astronauts and as Mission Control staff stationed at NASA.

We began our astronaut adventure with training. Chief Schools Officer Paul Cruz and I got to strap ourselves into a spinning chair and experience the effects of space travel on our bodies. I’ve never been on a theme park ride that quite produced the physical effects of this chair. Each one of us swore the chair was still spinning, even though our eyes told us we were sitting still. 

The field trip continued a conversation that began in June with a luncheon hosted by Richard. The event brought together representatives from the Learning Center, City, State, AISD, Austin Community College, Huston-Tillotson University, St. Edward's University, and University of Texas to discuss development of a Challenger Learning Center in Austin.

At the time, Richard said, "Challenger Learning Centers are world-class learning centers where students are transformed into scientists, engineers, and mathematicians through simulated space missions solving real life challenges."

And I can verify that statement. The Learning Center at Colorado Springs provided us with a great hands-on experience of science and math. The Centers were established to honor the educational spirit of the Challenger Space Shuttle that exploded on January 28, 1986.

For additional information about the Center and its programs click here. Challenger Center

To learn more about the District's project to develop a local Challenger Center, contact AISD’s Science Supervisor, David Guffey, at 414-4722.