Final Day

Well we made it back with all the students.  For a trip we weren't sure was going to happen on Wednesday, it turned out better than expected.  I had a great time and I think everyone else did also.

The final day started with a trip to the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower).  After we ate breakfast and loaded our bus, it was off to see the largest building in the United States and second tallest in the world.  We were unfortunate in that it was a foggy day.  However, we did see a proposal in the new fiberglass cube and students were able to see some buildings below the tower.

We then headed to the south and the Hyde Park area to go to the Science and Industry Museum.  I think we could have spent three weeks here and not visited every exhibit.  The featured exhibit was based on "You" and had displays involving the human body.  You could run in a mouse wheel, see the veins in your arms, interact with a virtual screen, or even try some sleep therapy.  The other displays included the flight display with Flight Simulator, real and model trains, and race cars.  Every thing was interactive and had several things the students could do to see science at work.  My favorite was the U-505 submarine display.  This sub was captured during WWII and was brought back to the museum for display.  It is the only remaining German U-boat left in the world.

Finally we boarded the buses and began our journey home.  We stopped briefly for dinner and then watch the UK game.  The students were excited to see the Cats win.  We ended our ride with a showing of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  The movie is set in Chicago and the students were able to identify many of the things they saw on the trip including paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago.

What a great trip!  I hope that all the students had as much fun as I did.  I hope that I can do it again next year!  A special thanks to Mrs. Profitt for organizing the trip and allowing me to use her computer in the wee hours during the trip.