Serpentarium Magic

Our home school group traveled to Mills River, North Carolina to explore Serpentarium Magic.  We didn't know exactly what to expect on this trip, but the kids were excited to see snakes.  Of course, snakes aren't everyone's favorite thing, but our kiddos love reptiles.

Our host explained the rules of the serpentarium.  No tapping on the terrariums and no running or yelling.  He also told the kids that all terrariums are marked telling the name of the reptile and if it is venomous or nonvenomous.  Once the rules were in place, he let them go into the two story building with over 120 terrariums.

The kids loved looking at all the reptiles.  There were lizards and snakes in all sizes.

They were fascinated with the rattlesnakes.  A few would start rattling their tails when people approached their terrarium.  We were amazed at how loud the rattle was through the glass.

The king cobra would hood up when there were groups in front of its enclosure.

They even had a two headed snake that the kids found intriguing.

After an hour of looking at all the terrariums, everyone gathered around for our host to begin a question and answer session.  We learned the difference between poisonous and venomous.  He was great at giving examples of each.

He then explained the types of venom, hemotoxin and neurotoxin, and how they affect a person.  The kids then wanted to know what was the most venomous snake they housed.

He discussed antivenom and explained how it was used.  We learned that anti-venom is quite expensive.  The main antivenom used in the United States is Crofab for pit viper bites.  This is for rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths.  It is very expensive to treat snake bites.  Luckily, snake bites are fairly rare, especially where we live.

One student asked about the biggest snake and he showed them the small anaconda they had at the serpentarium.  He then talked about the pythons and how long they could become.  He used two students to show the length of various big snakes.

Another asked about the snake's tongue.  He explained how the snake used the tongue to smell and the Jacobson organ was part of that process.  He then passed around a picture to show the students what the Jacobson organ looked like.

After the question and answer session, he brought out various pythons for the students to hold.  He explained how to hold the snake and why the snakes tighten around the arm or neck.  The kids loved getting to hold the snakes.

Finally, we went into the other room and he showed us a couple of tarantulas they had.  Just like with the snakes, he explained how the spiders defend themselves.  One brave student held the tarantula.

We spent over two and a half hours at the serpentarium.  It was a fascinating place and the kids loved it!  It is definitely a must do if in the area!

Blue Ridge Log Cabins

Our homeschool group had a wonderful opportunity to tour Blue Ridge Log Cabins.  This is a local company that builds modular cabins.

Our tour guide was one of the draftsmen that work for the company.  He took the group into the office where blueprints are drawn and tweaked.  He explained how they work with the sales people and the construction workers to get the cabin just right for the consumer.  They must have everything laid out correctly and confirmed by the buyer before sending the plans off to the state for permits.  He told us how this is the longest part of the whole process.

He showed the group how AutoCad worked.  He explained to them the different educational paths they could take in order to work in the drafting department.

Our next stop on the tour was manufacturing.  The large building was divided into different sections for the building process.  It all starts with the foundation.  We learned how they use an open web joist floor and the benefits of this design over a traditional joist floor.  We saw the triangular construction that Mr. Jack has told them about for strength being implemented.

The next station was flooring.  The flooring is placed and sealed on the subfloor.  After it has been sealed, they place two protecting sheets of brown paper wrap over the floor.  This will protect the hardwood floors during the remaining construction and transport.

After the flooring is done, they place a hoover board type jacking system on the foundation.  The unit is then moved from station to station floating on a thin layer of air.  We were able to see them moving an almost complete unit using this system.  It was so cool!  The kids were greatly impressed.

The unit is constructed the same as a normal stick and brick house with framing, plumbing, and electrical.  The outer logs are placed and screwed according to wind code.  Everything is checked and quality control happens after each major phase of the construction process.

The plant is very clean and organized.  Our tour guide explained the levels of education needed for different jobs and stressed how on the job experience with a good work ethic could allow anyone to move up the ladder.

We toured the second part of the plant where they build the dormers for the cabins.  It was the original manufacturing building that they outgrew.  Business has definitely been good!

Finally, we were able to tour the completed cabins they have on display.  The cabins they make range from a bit over six hundred square feet to over six thousand square feet.  They are beautifully crafted and can be completely customized.

This was a wonderful tour!  The boys loved seeing all the phases of construction and the thought of learning a trade really resonated with them.

Catching a 'Booster Rocket'

Mr. Jack began class talking about SpaceX. He asks the kids if they knew what it was.  We had seen the SpaceX building and launch pads when we went to Kennedy Space Center in November.  I had even talked to the kids about the Falcon Heavy launch, but they are not like I am - a space geek!  They vaguely recalled some of the things we talked about.  So they could answer a few questions Mr. Jack asked them.  This goes to show you that we all retain information important to us, the individual.  I expose them to many things and they compartmentalize bits and pieces, but they only internalize what holds importance to them.

Anyway, Mr. Jack explained why the Falcon Heavy launch was such a big step for rocketry.  The recovery and reuse of the booster rockets would save millions of dollars for space flight.  He showed them the return on the first two booster rockets and the kids were impressed.  Then he explained the third booster rocket recovery.  It was not a success.  He showed the kids a picture of the drone ship that was to recover the rocket.

This led to the discussion of trajectory and design of a 'rocket catching' drone ship.  He tasked the kids with making a device to catch in coming ping-pong balls.  Of course, he had one he made to show them one possibility.  He explained the parameters they would have to work with and had them work in groups of three to complete the mission.

They busily gathered foil, straws, tape, cups, tissue paper, string, pencils, and paper to build their 'drone ships'.  Each group came up with a different design.

Finally, they all were ready to see which design would work the best.  LM's group's ship caught the most ping-pong balls.

After all the 'drone ships' were tested, they regrouped and talked about the designs and what worked and didn't work.  Mr. Jack always gives them positive feed back and suggestions for how they can improve their designs for the next engineering feet.

Now, maybe they will remember more about SpaceX!

Kings Mountain National Military Park

The kids and I took a detour on the way home from the Schiele Museum to see Kings Mountain National Military Park.  I have been wanting to take them several times and the weather has not cooperated.  Today was a good day to stop and see it.

We loved the movie about Kings Mountain.  It was very informative and refreshed our memory of the battle.

We then strolled through the museum and listened to the recordings as we looked at the displays.  The museum is nicely and done and very informative.  If you missed any information during the video, you can find it in the displays.

Next, we hit the battlefield trail.  It was a mile and half trail that I would rate at mostly moderate.  There are a few steep inclines, but they have placed park benches to be able to sit and rest when needed.  Thank goodness it was a fairly cool day today for the walk!  Along the paved trail, there are displays telling about the battle and several monuments that have been erected.

At the top of Kings Mountain, was the monument to the American Patriots.  This battle was considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War.  Without the Overmountain Men and their rifles, the outcome of the war may have been quite different.

If you are ever in the area, stop by and see this historic site.  It will be well worth a few hours of your time.