looking back on GRAIL tweetup

Top 5 things I learned from the GRAIL NASAtweetup :)

5. Every time I think that I've seen the people NASA do the coolest stuff ever, they go and surprise me again.
I got to go to JUNO tweetup, then they found me a spot at GRAIL tweetup. I got to go inside the VAB during a teacher training, then I got to go inside the VAB at juno tweetup and Discovery was there, AND THEN I got to go inside the VAB during grail tweetup and Endeavour was there. (ps NASA: next time you let me go in there, I'm moving in.)

4. Space tweeps are good people. 
Earlier today, I posted on twitter that I couldn't find my copy of the GRAIL tweetup program, and less than 5 minutes later, it was in my inbox. My name wasn't on it because I was added last minute, but obviously, I'm gonna need it for my scrapbook. I got a ton of new resources for my classroom and made a bunch of new friends. Even on my first day there, when I didn't know anyone yet, people let me share their umbrellas, the shelter of their cars, and squealed with excitement with me when I told them about the moon rocks in my classroom.

3. I'm not the only nerd out there.
Everyday when I teach, I get giggles and eye rolls from my students. Honestly, if I was in their shoes, I'd probably laugh at my nerdiness too. But sometimes, when you don't have to explain who an astronaut is, or you're not the only one to laugh at a nerdy joke or you know what mineral someone is talking about when they mention plagioclase feldspar, you know you're among friends.

2. The moon is COOL.
With Saturn being so pretty and Pluto getting dwarfed the rest of the solar system sometimes overshadows our lovely little satellite. And, let's be honest, there are some other moons out there (I'm talking to you, Titan) that are really, really cool, but our moon is pretty awesome too. If you ever get to see Magnificent Desolation in 3D, I recommend it highly. Seeing what those 12 astronauts saw was super scary and super cool. I'm still not really sure how they managed to hop on a Saturn V in the first place, but then on top of riding a missile, they spent 3 days in a car sized spacecraft with 2 other dudes only to end up at a place that could kill them if that suit failed.... insane. Kudos Armstrong, Aldrin, Conrad, Bean, Shepard, Mitchell, Scott, Irwin, Duke, Young. Cernan, and Schmitt, for being the most bad-assy bad asses ever. (And thanks for bringing back the rocks that are hanging out in my classroom now :) Kudos to the command module men too, I'd be scared out of my mind to be orbiting the moon ALONE.  But, even after all the galavanting around on the moon by those 12, we still don't know everything about it... and that makes it even cooler. GRAIL is going to find out what's inside, and I can't wait to see what happens when we find something unexpected, because I'm sure we will. It really makes you think when you realize the moon is our closest space neighbor, we've been there, and we don't have everything figured out yet. Imagine what else is waiting for us out there.

1. Rockstars aren't the only Rockstars.
Neil deGrasse Tyson had a line for pictures and autographs. Nichelle Nichols had people squirming out of their seats with excitement. Stephanie from the NASA social media team got a standing ovation. There was a line at the moon exhibit to touch a moon rock. A room full of people ooh-ed and ahh-ed over a 3D computer program that lets you view the solar system and everything in it on any day and time you choose. Science is everything and if I have anything to do with it, it won't be long before everyone I know is signing up for tweetups so they can feel the same way I do.

today was an awesome day.

This afternoon during 5th period, I got a call from my principal to tell me the moon rocks I'm borrowing for my classroom from NASA had arrived, and I squealed like a 13 year old in front of my class. They think I'm funny and/or the most gigantic nerd ever. Then, after 5th period, as I was running to the office to pick up the moon rocks, I got an email saying there was a spot for me at the GRAIL Tweetup tomorrow and Thursday, and I danced around the main office like a maniac. After staying at school until 6:17 (which I noticed because I got there this morning at 6:17 and it made me laugh)  my sub plans are done, and I'm ready to go. Am I excited? Of course. Am I desperately trying to figure out how to make the moon fit into my lesson plans when it wasn't supposed to be there for another 2 weeks, yes. But, my students will just have to suffer... if they notice at all. My OCD self is bothered that I haven't talked about constellations yet, but those 88 bad boys will just have to wait. Am I a little worried I'm going to be lost when all the presenters are talking tomorrow? Slightly, just because when I went to the Juno Tweetup, I had a month to prepare and read every Juno website ever. Now, I'm just scrambling around trying to find my camera battery charger, get my 2 forms of government issued ID, pack my rain coat in case of normal Florida weather and sharpies in case I meet anyone cool (which I probably will because Neil deGrasse Tyson, my favorite astrophysicist will be there) and all kinds of other things I had a month to pull together last time.

But, bottom line,
1. I'm insanely in love with the people that work for NASA's social media team that get all this stuff together for us.

2. I'm thrilled that I get to go on another behind the scenes tour of NASA. (Vehicle Assembly Building, here I come again! Don't you think after the 3rd time I should be able to just move in? I do.)

3. I'm ecstatic that I get to be there for another launch. Maybe this time I'll be able to hold myself together and not cry like a baby.

4. I'm sad that I'll be away from my students for two days, but can't wait to see the kinds of fun stuff I get to bring back to the classroom.

5. I'm not going to sleep tonight. :)


I'll be blogging after GRAIL, so come back and visit soon!