A Glimpse of Space Camp

Hi, I'm Morgan ( on the left).  And I'm Evan (on the right).  Ever wonder what it's like to go to space camp?  Come with us and take a peek.

Here's where all the magic science happens, Chabot Space & Science Center.  The center is an observatory that also offers hands on exhibits, planetarium shows, and much more.  Galileo Learning runs the space camp here.

This spacesuit is just one of many things you'll see inside the center.  This Spacesuit was used in training for the Mercury Project.  But enough about that, I bet you're curious what we did at camp.

One of the classes I (Evan) took was Lego Robotics.  I learned how to use Mindstorms software and create commands to download into the robots.  Want to see the robots?

Here's what they look like. My favorite part was when we programmed and constructed the robots to battle!  I enjoyed it so much that I actually told my mom about it on the drive home without her asking me.  In fact, I even told my dad about it when he got home.

Another class I took was Rocket Lab.  Here are my instructors getting ready to launch my water bottle rocket.  I wasn't able to launch it myself for safety reasons but I did make the rocket.

3...2...1...Blast Off! I can't believe my mom was able to capture the launch.  Good timing mom.

What am I holding you ask?  Just an awesome motorized Mars Rover I made in Mars Explorers.  Besides making the rover, I also got to fly a simulated space mission in Chabot's Challenger Learning Center.  

You know what's also great about space camp,  getting photobombed by Jean-Luc Picard. Seriously, one of my fellow campers and I shared about gears with the parents on the last day of camp.  Standing to my left is our instructor Zoe Ames who has a B.A. in Physics and Astronomy.  Cool!

In my survivor class I picked up some mad paracord knot skills.  We also went on nature hikes in the surrounding redwood forest and learned how to build survival shelters out of items found in nature. 

All kidding aside, we were really pleased with our first experience at the Chabot Space & Science Camp.  In the past my children have attended Camp Galileo who also runs the space camp for the Chabot center.   The curriculum is different from the other camps but they still incorporate Galileo's Innovation Approach into the classes.  If you're curious about what the Innovation Approach is, you can read about it here.  I also noticed this camp is a little more serious in nature compared to the other Galileo camps.  

To learn more about Chabot Space & Science Camp, click here.

Disclaimer:  My children received one free paid week of camp as compensation for this post series.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kid Craft: Washi Tape Beads

Looking for new craft projects to make with all those washi tape rolls you own?  How about creating some washi tape beads?  This craft is quick and easy for kids to make.  Use the paper beads for bracelets, necklaces, and other projects.

Supplies:
Card Stock
Washi Tape
Scissors

1.  Cut a strip of paper into the width of the washi tape and about three inches long.

2.  Fold into a rectangle shape.  Trim excess paper.

3. Tape together edges

4. Wrap remaining tape around paper.  

The beads also work well for triangle shapes.  Experiment with different prints and layers for varied looks.

Kawaii Printables by Paper and The Pea

Paper and The Pea is a blog run by a  creative sister duo who are also moms.  The site offers up kawaii (cute) printables that you can download for free.  The site reminds me a little of Mr. Printables only with an extra dose of cute.  I found the site through a comment one of the sisters left on my blog.  To see more of the their work, click here.

Summer Break

Last Friday was the first official day of summer break for us.  We kicked off our vacation with a little Lite Brite and an A's Game. Not to shabby if you ask me.  We also have swim lessons, camp and a couple road trips (Oregon & Mammoth Lakes, CA) on the schedule.  How about you?  Anyone going somewhere fun for summer vacation?  Please share.

A's Game

I Heart Uniqlo

I heart Uniqlo.  Recently I ordered some clothes for my daughter for the next school year.  Yes you read correctly, I've been shopping for the 2013/14 school year.  That might sound a little crazy but I find that the new school year always sneaks up on me.  I've also found that I get the best deals when I shop year round.  I ended up buying a pair of pink pants and these cute t-shirts (pictured above).  My favorite is the macaron top. 

I'm always on the look out for unique and well priced clothes and figured some of you might be interested in that too.  I've been thinking about sharing more products/stores I like on this blog. Would any of you be interested in that?  Thoughts?

Printable Swiss Army Knife Father's Day Card

My dad seemed to always have some kind of Swiss army knife on him.  Some were key chains and some were pocket knives.  I can remember him using them on various occasions.  For example, any time a ribbon needed to be cut off a present, I could count on dad to pull out the mini scissors to get the job done.  I'm sure he used the Swiss army knife tools for other things but that memory in particular stands out to me.  So as you may have guessed,  that was the inspiration for this card. 

This card is quick and easy to make.  The paper saw and knife swivel out just like a Swiss army knife. 

Supplies:
Template
One small metal brad
Scissors
Glue dots
White card stock
Hole punch

1.  Click on template twice.  Right click, copy, paste and print on white card stock.  Cut out templates.

2.  Stack saw and knife on top of the back piece.  Punch a hole through all three templates.  Add brad (refer to picture).

3.  Add glue dots where you see the red dots.  Make sure none of the glue dots will get in the away of the knife and saw swiveling out.  Place front template on top.

Your card should look something like the picture above.  Adjust the knife and saw so they stick out a little so they're easy to pull out.

This is what the back of the card will look like.

Sign the card and you're all set. 

Color Graduated Origami Sphere

Photo by Sweet Paul

Speaking of oversized origami, look what I found on the Sweet Paul Kids site!  This origami sphere was created by the ever so talented Lova Blavarg ( 17yr old craft genius). The sphere takes exactly 60 pieces to make.  This would be a great craft to make throughout summer vacation.  If you folded just one piece a day, you would have it completed by the end of summer.  To get the full tutorial for this project, visit the Sweet Paul site.

DIY Oversized Origami Paper with Handmade Charlotte Stencils

One of the great things about blogging is occasionally I get to test out new craft products and share them with you.  Recently I was sent a set of Handmade Charlotte Stencils designed by Rachel Faucett.  She even sent me some candy in one of those cute boxes pictured below.  I've never met Rachel but I suspect we would get along well. Anyone who sends me craft supplies and candy is my kind of person. 

There are six different stencil sets available and I received the "patterns" set.  As I looked at the stencils, some of the patterns reminded me of prints I would see on origami paper.  That's what gave me the idea to make some oversized origami paper.

Supplies:

Handmade Charlotte Pattern Stencil Set

Acrylic Paint 

Foam Pouncer Brush

Craft Paper by the role - any color you like

Yard stick

Pencil 

Scissors

1.  Roll out paper and cut into a square.  Use your yardstick to measure/mark the width and cut.  I used white paper but  a colored paper would look nice too.

2.  Starting at the top of your paper (left to right), make raindrop pattern.  To make the pattern, simply hold the stencil down on the paper and dab on paint with pouncer brush.  You only need a little paint since you're working on paper.  Too much paint will cause the paint to bleed under the stencil.

3.  Let dry.  You now have a nice large piece of patterned origami paper.  If you're going to take the time to make the paper, I recommend making at least a couple of pieces of paper to work with.  

I used my oversized origami paper to fold an elephant.  Next time, I might not space the rain drops as far apart (craft and learn). This elephant would make a nice decoration for a kid's room .  It would also be cute as a table center piece for a baby shower. You can find the instructions for the elephant, here. 

Baby Shower Printables

Paper coterie is offering up free baby shower printables.  If you're planning a party or think you might need it for the future, stop by Paper Coterie for the download.  And if you have no intention of planning a baby shower, here are a few other things you can spell out with the letters from "Oh Baby" (courtesy of wordsmith anagram generator).

A Hobby

Bah Boy

Hay Bob

Bay Hob

Baby Ho