As might have been expected, students quickly staked out the top bunks, unpacked and then got down to business — space business!

Not much later, they found themselves in a rocketry class, where students broke into groups and started work on constructing their own rockets, propelled by air pressure.

There were some bumps in the road to success, and not all of the groups had an easy time of it.

Eventually, though, things worked out for everyone and after the successful completion of their first generation rockets, fourth graders built a second generation of rocket that was to be launched outside. In the video below, each student watches their creations rocket into the sky!

To cap off the night, before bed students reflected on their performance within the team. They were asked to write about two things they were proud to have done, and two things they thought they could have done better.

Students were then asked to name, out loud, at least one thing they were happy with, but allowed to keep their two areas of improvement a secret. (With the understanding that they would work on those two areas through the rest of the trip!)

On the second day, after an early morning reflection on how they’d done the day before, students were ready to tackle another class — this one focused on Climate Change.

Students learned about the differences between weather and climate, and took a look at how humans have impacted the climate of the earth. They were then asked to take a closer look at the rise of the earth’s temperature, by simulating climate change effects with a heat lamp.

In a series of experiments, students predicted and then tracked the change of temperature on different colored pieces of paper.

On the way back, there was time for lunch at Chair Five, a restaurant in Girdwood owned by PNA parents!

​In the photo below, Jackson, Kenny and David pose with a newfound sense of camaraderie!

Launch!