Have Fun Learning About the International Space Station

Last Sunday, when it was really hot and we needed a day out of the sun, we headed to the Virginia Air and Space Center in Downtown Hampton.

We have been members of the Virginia Air and Space Center for many years. We especially enjoy the temporary exhibits, which is the main reason we went, to see Destination Station, an interactive exhibit that explores the International Space Station.

It is definitely a multi- media exhibit that gives insight into the workings of the International Space Station which operated all year long. This is where science defies politics in that the scientists from five space agencies representing 15 countries work together to solve the world’s issues.

We enjoyed the quiz portions and learned a lot from it. Julia, our eight-year-old budding scientist particularly enjoyed the quiz portion that involved gravity. She was surprised to learn a lot. She was happy she knew more of the answers than I did. I enjoyed the short film that shows the real life of the astronauts. Charlotte, 10, enjoyed seeing the hair of the female astronauts, which lacked gravity.

In addition to the temporary exhibit, there are so much interactive exhibits. My children really enjoy the real plane that has a cock pit and an area to try out your take-off and landing skills.

So if the weather sends you inside, but you need to get out, try a day at the Virginia Air and Space Center, the official visitor center of NASA Langley Research Center.