Every time the Space Shuttle launched I cried like a baby.

“Mission Control, This is Endeavour are we cleared for launch?”

“Endeavor you are cleared to launch in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…”

I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Now, teaching kids about aerodynamics is another subject altogether. I get a headache just thinking about it. For me, this is a dry and dull subject (if you are an aerospace engineer who may visit this article, forgive me).

Related: Your preschools don’t need to sit still, they need to move!

So how do I teach my kids about things I find dull and boring?

I find someone who is passionate about the subject and get my kids in front of their enthusiasm! The funny thing is when I am with my children I catch the enthusiasm.

In our “who you know” world, our family was invited to watch the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour as it made its California Tour.  (My husband worked for NASA at the time).

I have to say this was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life.

We were able to have a front row seat to view the shuttle fly by on the back of its 747 and then land and park directly in front of our family ( and a few thousand other blessed people). Wow.

I still cannot believe we were able to see this.

Now let me ask you.

Do you think my boys are going to be interested as we learn about flight and aerodynamics?

While it is true that not everyone can get an invitation like this, everyone has opportunities all around them to explore something amazing. Seize every one of those opportunities as you homeschool.

I hear of homeschoolers that farm, raise chickens and cows, build an organic homestead and store, visit local (and not so local) museums, participate in living history days, attend plays, play musical instruments, attend art shows, shadow professionals to preview jobs, design and build computers, and more.

What do you have available to you and your kids?

Maybe it’s fishing.

If you want your kids to learn about the fish of the sea, begin by taking them fishing. Don’t know how to fish? Ask around.

My hubby took two of our sons out with a friend today to participate in their first fishing derby.

Look at that King Salmon!

You can bet that boy will be primed and ready to learn about the life cycle of a fish, and the impact of the Salmon on the health of the Pacific Northwest where we live.

He’ll likely even be ready to help protect fish to ensure that his kids can experience this same thrill.

It could be anything, but usually kids don’t say, “Hey, I’m passionate about this thing I’ve never done before!”

Kids need to experience first, become intrigued and then they’ll be excited to learn.

Always lead with EXPERIENCE

• Ask a neighbor or two for their top ten sites in your town for their top ten list of places to see
• Visit your local chamber of commerce
• Order your national parks map and visit 3 parks this year
• Read your local paper and attend things that you may think are boring (just do not say that aloud to your kids)

Then stand back.

As your kids taste and see this amazing world, they will be primed and ready to receive the “educational” activities rolling in your imagination. Just be sure to hook their curiosity before you blast off into learning!