What made the experience stand out?
So many cool things are there! We brought a “National Geographic” guide to read in the car on the way to Weatherford and when we got to the museum, we matched up some of the photos with the objects in front of us, like the Titan II rocket, which is huge. It was like walking through the pages.
What was the best part?
That’s a hard to question to answer because I loved the whole experience. Going with my whole family was really important because we all love space. We were allowed to climb into a real airplane and press all the buttons, see astronaut suits and use a flight simulator. I also loved the gift shop because it’s not every day you can find what they sell. We bought freeze dried ice cream like the astronauts ate in space for the drive home.
What was the worst part?
There wasn’t really one. When my Mom told me we were going to see a museum in Weatherford and that it’s about 90 minutes from our house, I thought ‘Oh no, I’m going to be trapped in the car for a long time.’ I didn’t mind, though, because there was a lot to read on the way, in my space book, and I could look out the window at a lot of farms with animals and people. It’s not just cars or highways with nothing to see along the way. My Dad went to the Johnson Space Center when he was a kid but this is much shorter than going to Houston and he said there was more to see up close in Weatherford.
Will other kids like this venue and why?
For sure! Anyone who is interested in space should go see it. Even if you don’t love space, you could find something really cool and learn something new. It’s always good to get a new interest. Science doesn’t feel boring when you’re seeing it right in front of you. I like to read but if you gave me a book called “The Evolution of Flight,” I don’t think that sounds too interesting even though I love astronomy and aviation. Seeing an exhibition with the same name gives you another way to learn about it. Kids like to find out more about a topic in their own way. You can do that at the museum because there’s a place to watch short videos, some hands-on models for younger kids and displays with all the information written out.
Would this venue be enjoyed by your siblings? Why or why not?
Sure! There are sections for all ages. My brother, Gabriel, is 2 and he put together a moon rover with plastic sticks. My middle brother, Isaac, will go to kindergarten in the fall and he liked finding out about the effects of gravity, building with blocks and sitting in the little airplane cockpit with me.
If you could do this again knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
I would be more excited! Can we go back next week for fall break? I would have signed up for one of their summer camps and found a way to carpool with other people or something to go there every day for a week.
Does what you saw match up with anything you’re learning in school or have seen before in a book, on TV, etc.?
Yes, so many things! We watched “Hidden Figures” for movie night and it reminded me of that, plus “Cosmos” with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Neil Armstrong was my third grade biography project and he visited that museum when he was alive. The day before we went, I saw in the news that the mystery of what happened to Amelia Earhart might be solved so visiting came at the perfect time because there’s information about her work too. Space is pretty much my favorite topic so it was very familiar but awesome for me.
What do you think you’ll remember most about the Stafford Air & Space Museum?
The plane cockpit really made an impression on me. I want to be a geologist when I grow up but pilot is a good a choice too.
[Editor's Note: Read all our Kid Reviews at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Kid-Reviews/]