I thought it would be so neat to expose the kids in Polson to NASA and the space program. So at last years after school conference in Helena I went to a session about the Federation of Galaxy Explorers (FOGE), a new program that teaches kids about the wonders of space through hands on activities and fascinating facts. I met Stephen Heffel who is the Montana leader for FOGE and kept in contact with him throughout the year. In November he sent an email to all FOGE volunteers letting them know that the FOGE program, NASA and Boeing were sponsoring someone to go to the next shuttle launch In Florida. I jumped out of my seat and wrote an email as fast as I could putting my name in the hat. I never thought I would be picked but it was fun to dream about for the next few days... well, dreams do come true and OUR FOGE PROGRAM was picked and I was off to Florida with a VIP pass to watch the launch from the closest possible spot!!! My husband and two FOGE mission team members were able to go with me (my two daughters). We were treated like we were a part of the Space Program at NASA, touring the International Space Center (ISS) building site
, TALKING TO ASTRONAUTS!!, getting a backstage view of the Kennedy Space Center 
as well as seeing the beauty of Cape Canaveral Florida! THANK YOU ANN CHARLES AND BOEING FOR AN EXPERIENCE POLSON WILL NEVER FORGET!- The best part came when we are driven on a private NASA bus to Launch
Pad 39 A where the Space Shuttle Atlantis was perched
. It was so much bigger and more regal than I had imagined!
Wow!Even though Atlantis did not lift off on that December day.. it was an incredible experience shared by Mrs. Lozars 3rd graded class, the After School Program and the community of Polson. This life changing experience was made possible by so many people... THANK YOU!!
