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I lived in Florida at the time. It was 6 days after my 9th birthday. I was in 4th grade, and because of our proximity to the cape, the teachers always took clas
by bradleyland 16y ago
I lived in Florida at the time. It was 6 days after my 9th birthday. I was in 4th grade, and because of our proximity to the cape, the teachers always took classes outside to watch the shuttle launch first hand. I remember the teachers first being confused, but then immediately becoming distraut after realizing something went wrong. They tried to hide their reactions from the kids, but everyone young and old knew that the launch wasn't "normal".
It was a big dose of reality for a 9 year old. Watching the shuttle launches was always a highlight for me, being the little geek that I was. That was the day that the fairy tale of infallible science propaganda ended for me and the reality of failure hit me square in the face. Fortunately, it had a positive effect on me, rather than negative. I recognized that I shouldn't take anyone's word at face value. I should aways seek to learn for myself.
- binarymax 16y agoI was 7 years old at the time, watching it in my classroom with two other rooms merged into ours. The teachers had different reactions than what you describe - they all started crying. I remember my teacher specifically was inconsolable for awhile.
- clojurerocks 16y agoI was in school as well and i think we were given a half day or something. I came home and i think it was on the news and they were showing it and talking about the fact that the astronauts might not have died in the explosion but might have been conscious while they fell to earth.
- michaelcampbell 16y agoI'd just gotten out of a mechanical drafting class at UCF in Orlando. Due to the timing I didn't see the actual breakup but was out of class minutes afterwards. I might be misremembering this, but I seem to recall seeing things still falling. It really affected me; still does.