So glad we did Space crafts

[nanila]

Remember the Year 6 students I ran an outreach workshop with a couple of weeks ago?

Last week, I posted the lithographs of Saturn images taken by Cassini to the class, care of IntoUniversity Haringey. Yesterday, I found a big envelope sitting on my chair at work. This is what it contained.



[Image of my big orange thank-you card, with lovingly hand-coloured rocket]

I love that I'm inside the rocket. I love that the rocket is rainbow-coloured. I love that they designed their own logo. In fact, there's nothing that I don't love about this card.





[Image of the inner text of the big orange card]

Text from the inside reads: "Dr: nanila

Thank you Dr: nanila. You are the best engineer. Thank you for coming to into university and working with us. Love from Risley Avenue 650!"




[Image of the back of the card, featuring yet another rocket, signed by some of the children]

It tickles me that the stars are stars of David. Also that the second rocket looks like the product of an unholy alliance between a traffic signal and a billiard rack.

I got a bit emotional when I opened it, I must admit. I do hope this experience will help them to retain a positive impression of science and engineering in the face of the impending and inevitable adverse influences.

Comments

[kake]

Aw, that's great.

[ajnabieh]

If you'll excuse me...I just have something in my eye...

[ironed_orchid]

That is so great.

I bet they have a great teacher.

[holdthesky]

That's lovely! Must make you really chuffed.

[foxfinial]

That is adorable and awesome. Nanila... IN SPAAACE.

[liseuse]

Oh, bless them!

[miss_s_b]

* sniffle *

I have a cold...

[floating_coffin]

I taught elementary school for years before I moved to the college I work at now. While the kids were sometimes little monsters, they were also quite sweet and kind. My old students did things like this for me, too, and it really does move you.

"the stars are stars of David"

I approve of this.

[lark_ascends]

That is awesome.

[nanila]

I thought so too. And it turns out they haven't been given the lithographs yet - they did this purely out of gratitude for the workshop.

[nanila]

That's what I tried to tell my officemate. I don't think he believed me.

[nanila]

Me too. *honk*

(Actually this has been true pretty much since term started.)

[nanila]

They did. He was at the workshop. He was really hands-on and you could tell the kids had lots of respect for him.

[nanila]

Oh yes. As my wise friend terrydjohnson once pointed out, you don't often get to see the "Eureka!" moments with your students. When you do, it's worth hanging onto them.

[nanila]

YESSS. I choose to see this as prophetic.

[nanila]

Yes, and they haven't even received the lithographs yet!

[nanila]

It's lovely, isn't it? So...so genuine. Totally uncalculated.

I thought of you when I saw the stars!

[nanila]

I agree. I also learnt that they haven't yet been given the lithographs. They did this purely because of my visit. Aw!

[ceb]

Awwwww! :-)

[nanila]

I have it pinned to my wall now. It makes me happy every time I look at it.