The shuttle comes home

There's alot of excitement in the air as the shuttle prepares to fly over Southern California and land at LAX.  We would be in Seal Beach or on the Queen Mary to take in this once in a lifetime event, but as homeschoolers, we've been up early enjoying archery and the aquarium the past two days.  But this does remind me of the excitement of the shuttle program over the years. 

I remember when the first shuttle went up in 1981.  I can't believe it's been 30 years!  I had a part-time job at an aerospace company while I was going to school studying math and computer science.  The company set up TVs in conference rooms for employees to watch the historic moment.  One of our co-workers was actually on the program and he was more nervous than anyone.  As an engineer, you wonder if you've tested every possible scenario before you hand over your code/design.

Then my dad took us out to Lancaster to watch the landing at Edwards Air Force Base.  We had hoped the landings at Edwards would be commonplace, but soon the regular landing site was moved to Florida.

The shuttle was built in Southern California.  In college, we had a chance to tour a mockup of the orbiter (the part of the shuttle that goes into space and comes back) at Northrop.  An amazing piece of machinery.   It only makes sense for one to retire in Los Angeles.  The Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey also plans to have a mock up of the shuttle for tours in the near future.

Because of my blogs, I've been getting invites to attend the press conferences regarding the shuttle arriving at the California Science Center.  I hope I will get an invite for it's arrival at the museum in October.

And the company where I worked when the shuttle first took off?  I joined them after graduating and we worked on the first GPS system.  Can you believe the smallest unit was the size of a backpack??  Now, we have it on our phones.  Incredible!

Free admission to the Columbia Space Center!

Sunday, August 26, 2012 from 10am-5pm.
People of all ages are encouraged to come out for a day of fun and festivity.

Columbia Memorial Space Center
12400 Columbia Way
Downey, California 90242

The Columbia Memorial Space Center welcomes young people to explore space science like they never have before. With hands-on robotics presentations and its very own Challenger Learning Center, the CMSC has become a staple institution in Downey, and the Los Angeles Area.

The Columbia Memorial Space Center is the only space science learning center in the Los Angeles area dedicated to hands-on robotics and boasts LA’s only Challenger Learning Center.  We are also dedicated to preserving the history of aerospace engineering in Downey.  During your visit, you will learn about Downey’s place in the exploration of space flight, from the Apollo capsules to the Space Shuttle Orbiters.

Our goal is to teach young people about careers in space exploration and aviation. We focus on engineering, technology and science. Our subjects include:

• Human and Robot Space Exploration
• The Principles of Flight and Aeronautics
• Current NASA Programs and Technology
• The Space Shuttle Columbia
• The Aerospace History of Downey
• Our Earth and Solar System

OC Fair!

The OC Fair starts this Friday!  Farm animals, carnival rides, chocolate-covered bacon, what's not to love?  Seriously, we go for our yearly fix of cotton candy, games of chance, and baby pigs!

OC Fair
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
July 13-August 12
Open Wednesdays through Sundays

Promotions:
Opening Day July 13 -  free admission and parking - Noon to 1pm
Thursdays - Food trucks and free admission for kids 12 and under
Fridays - $2 Taste of Fair Food - Noon to 4pm

Exhibits this year:
As the 2012 OC Fair celebrates Home Sweet Home, it welcomes a new exhibit to remind us of this great country we call home. Steel beam sections from the World Trade Center will be on display on Family Fairway between Green Gate and Park Plaza. The display will serve as an opportunity for fairgoers to remember both our strength and vulnerability as a nation.

Chocolate Bean to Bar
Discover how this rainforest plant transforms into a delectable treat. Your step by step guide begins with a full size cocoa tree replica and ends at theSweet Spot Stage where guests will see professional chocolatiers make tantalizing treats, many available for sale.

Yarn Bombing Day, Sunday July 15 10am-3pm
Inside Blue Gate
Yarn bombing, also called urban knitting or crochet, is another form of artistic expression. It can be thought of as graffiti with a softer touch. As with any other artistic medium Yarn Bombing themes range from the sublime to the ridiculous; understated to wildly embellished.

Cool Off!

We may be in the middle of June gloom here, but wait till July hits.  Everyone is going to be looking for somewhere to cool down.  Luckily, we live by the ocean - easy!  However, there are a couple of more wet & wild places for the little ones.

Lakewood residents are so lucky.  They have six parks with wading pools.  Good thing LB'ers can join in.
Open 11am-4pm for kids 3-7 years old from June 16 to September 3.
Open everyday: Mayfair, Palms
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Del Valle & San Martin
Open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, & Sunday: Bloomfield, Boyar
Wednesdays: Boyar, Del Valle, Mayfair, San Martin will be open 5pm-7:30pm on Wednesdays
(June 29-August 29).
Weekends: all pools open 11am-4pm May 26-September 30

Splash Pad at Sigler Park in Westminster is free and open every day from Noon-5pm starting June 18 to September 3.  7200 Plaza St., Westminister.

Buccaneer By in La Mirada.  The family-fun “Buccaneer Bay” combines the excitement of a water park with pirate themed features throughout. Buccaneer Bay features a flowing river channel, three water slides, a children’s interactive play structure, zero-depth beach entry and two spray pad areas. Pirate themed elements include: a marooned ship, a dramatic skull rock, shade canopies that resemble sails, cannon walls, wharf plank benches, and crow’s nests.  Open daily till September 3rd. 10:30am-5:30pm.  $17.95/person, under 48" $12.95.  Family Friday Nights June 29-August 17 4pm-8pm. $14.95/person, under 48" $10.95.
13806 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
Phone: (562) 902-3191

Free Summer Algebra Course!

http://www.mathinkers.org/sai-long-beach.html

A few gee! families took this course last year and said it was amazing.  Please only sign up if you can attend all sessions.  They only get the grant money if students attend at least 85% of the classes.

For Fall 2012  - Students entering grades 7 thru 9 Program Dates:  Monday, July 9 through Thursday, August 16
Day/Time:  Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m to 12:15 p.m.
Location: Family of Faith Christian Center
345 East Carson Avenue (at Elm, near San Antonio and Long Beach Blvd.)
Long Beach

MANDATORY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
Monday or Wednesday, June 18 or June 20 - 7:00 p.m.

Summer Fun!

Lots of fun in the LBC this summer: movies in the park, movies on the beach (Jaws, anyone?), $1 movies at the Towne Center.  Besides movies, the South Coast Botanical Garden is free every third Tuesday of the month.  Okay, you're asking, 'What's in our neck of the woods?'  The Pirate Invasion hits Belmont Shore June 30-July 1.  There is free Shakespeare By the Sea in Long Beach, Lakewood, and Rossmoor.  The Origiami Festival is at the Japanese Gardens at CSULB on July 15.  And the first ever OC Mini-Maker Fair is July 14!  And lots more, so get out your planners/iPhones. :-D

Garden Reciprocal Program

Did you know there's a garden reciprocal program in Southern California and across the country?

Join one of these local gardens as a member and get free admission to all for one year.

• Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge
• LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Arcadia
• Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont
• South Coast Botanical Garden, Palos Verdes Peninsula
• Fullerton Arboretum
• The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB

Membership to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is $40 for CSULB alumni and $50 for the basic membership.  This gives you admission for two adults and children at the same address.

The complete directory of participating gardens is at http://www.ahs.org/events/reciprocal

 

Kindle, Disney, Math, oh my!

Free hs resources on the kindle: http://kindlehomeschool.com/

Grad Night at Disneyland for homeschoolers!  June 22nd
Payment is due by April 20th  $61/person - guests can join student 14+ 
Contact Crystal at CLaDeeB@Aol.com

MathMovesU.com - free math program for middle schoolers by Raytheon