Twenty two students left the Chief Leschi parking lot at 8:50 a.m. on Saturday, December 10th , to enjoy the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. Sponsored by the 21st Century program, exhibits and hands-on displays were waiting. The morning began with walking through a living butterfly greenhouse. It was exciting to have the rather large hymenoptera use your body as a landing pad. Kids had to be careful not step on those butterflies resting on the walkway. The hatching area with all the gorgeous golden chrysalises was also a highlight. The next hall had a working model of Puget Sound and the tides that flow through. By pushing a button, ink pours into the water and travels about the islands and peninsulas.


The same hall featured a touch salt water tank so one could experience the textures of local ocean creatures. There was a twenty foot Rubics cube, an insectarium, dinosaurs, and myriad other attractions. The next hall had a planetarium and there was another area just for electronics. The computers were full of challenging scenarios which required operator participation to be worked or played. Some students played chess on a twenty foot board designed into the floor. After a couple hours, the whole group met for an opening showing of "Mission Impossible" Everyone loved the IMAX experience and the movie was certainly entertaining. Action, action, action!


           After a rest for lunch, the next stop was the Laser Theater. After a short teaching session on how the laser works we all enjoyed a forty minute holiday-themed show. Tiredness was setting in, so we trod to the bus where many slept all the way the home. Mr. Rhodes, Miss Pak, Miss Woolley, and Mr. Gamas were the chaperones. All agreed it was great day and the kids were especially well behaved. The staff made a point of complementing our kids.