Co-authored by students as part of EdTerra's Young Authors Program — an on-journey skill-building program.

3. Sincerely,
Mrs. Mamta Wadhwa
Principal
Manav Rachna International School, Sector-14, Faridabad
At Manav Rachna International School, Sector 14, Faridabad, we believe that there is no substitute for ‘Education Through Action’
and that exploring people, places, cultures, economic opportunities, and technological advancements through travel, complements
and completes the educational experience. This philosophy matches our endeavour to create responsible and dynamic global leaders
and global citizens by bringing the knowledge of the world to the classroom as well as encouraging students to go out into the world.
These two methods are critical to create the three pillars of global citizenship based on empathy, understanding and international
collaboration.
In line with this mission, our students recently journeyed to USA under a program titled EdTerra’s East Coast Space Adventure. We
chose this program for its focus on exposing students to space exploration and technology at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. They
also visited historic, natural and modern marvels of Niagara Falls, Washington, D.C. and New York City. To augment the broader
program,weselectedtheYoungAuthorsProgram,whichensuredstudentengagementandimmersion.ThisStudentTravelChronicle
is an outcome of this collaborative and exploratory module that our students partook in along with the students of Manav Rachna
International School, Charmwood, Faridabad. It captures the entire journey in the students’ own words and photographs. It even
showcases their learning from the intense, ten day journey to one of the world’s most successful democratic nations.
I would also like to recognize the efforts of EdTerra Edventures; a company that is well aware of co-curricular and extra-curricular
goals and developmental needs of students. We acknowledge the contribution of their staff, especially their on-journey educator, the
Journey Mentor and Visa Assistance Services. Their professionalism has resulted in an effortless, safe and enriching travel experience
for each one of us and for the group. Each parent may feel proud of this publication that will keep reminding them of their daughters
and sons achievement and capabilities, all life long. Happy reading!
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

5. MESSAGE FROM EDTERRA
MESSAGE FROM EDTERRA
TRAVELLING TO KNOWLEDGE
Sincerely,
Christine Massey
Senior Manager, Program Development Team
A journey to foreign soil is always replete with learning and excitement for any young and inquisitive mind. When the destination is
as rich as the East Coast of USA, one can only imagine the myriad ways in which Indian students may absorb and construct learning
out of the many differences and similarities that mark the cultures and people of these two great nations.
For EdTerra, an educational journey is about enabling students to construct knowledge through a meaningful encounter with a new
culture, without diluting their fun and excitement or restricting their wandering, curious minds. EdTerra achieves this through its
Program Development Team (PDT), which is comprised of both Indian and international experts. The PDT carefully designs culturally
neutral tools that enable students to meaningfully observe, record and articulate their impressions. These tools are deployed through
a process that encourages teamwork, meaningful discussions, recording observations through digital media and finally synthesizing
all this into a media product that showcases the ideas and learning of the students.
This Student Travel Chronicle, ‘East Coast Space Adventure’, is one such media product that captures the ten day journey of learning
of the gifted students of Manav Rachna International School, Sector -14, Faridabad, to Kennedy Space Centre, Orlando along with
Niagara Falls, Washington, DC, and New York City. This beautiful book serves as a window into the U.S. and above all the amazing
world of NASA for those students, peers and parents who could not be a part of the journey. It showcases the intellectual and creative
capacities of the students, credit for which is rightfully due to their parents and school.
EdTerraEdventureswouldliketothank ManavRachnaInternationalSchool, Sector-14,Faridabad,fortheireffortsandsupport which
made this journey of discovery possible, with a special mention of the Principal, Mrs. Mamta Wadhwa, for guiding us throughout the
process of finalizing and undertaking the journey. EdTerra would also like to thank the accompanying teachers, for there sense of
adventure and dynamism that the French call joie de vivre. Their energy made our jobs easy, and more importantly, made for a more
memorable journey for the students. We encourage you to read on and re-live the learning and adventures of these students through
the words and photographs that follow.

7. CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Our Journey 10
Kennedy Space Centre 18
Amusement Parks 26
Washington, DC 34
New York City
EdTerra Moments 50
42

9. OUR JOURNEY
OUR JOURNEY

10. 7
12
Factory was a complete delight for us as it was a chocolate
lover’s paradise. New York was all about mighty sky scrapers
and experiencing the big city buzz. We bit into the Big Apple
with much delight. Times Square, Wall Street, Statue of Liberty
and Trinity Church were the highlight of this magical city. New
York has some of the most iconic buildings and destinations.
The trip was beautifully organized by EdTerra Edventures. They
ensured that all of us were well taken care of and experienced
the United States of America in all its glory. This trip gave us an
opportunity to visit the most powerful nation in the world and
to experience its rich culture and heritage.
In June 2017, we had the wonderful opportunity of embarking
onaneducationaltriptoUSAalongwiththestudentsofGrades
6 to 8 from MRIS, Charmwood. We visited true-blue American
cities like Orlando, New York and Washington, DC and saw
breathtaking sights and the most awe-inspiring buildings and
structures. In Orlando, we experienced the thrills and chills of
being an astronaut at the Kennedy Space Centre. We saw the
launch pad of the Atlantis Space Shuttle and had the privilege
of interacting and having lunch with an astronaut at NASA.
We also visited the stunning Cocoa beach for some sea-side
rejuvenation.
Our next stop was the iconic Disneyland, where we experienced
the fairy tale world by appreciating the charm and beauty
of enigmatic characters. Disneyland was a heart touching
experience for us as it took us back to our childhood. We then
proceeded to Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure where we
experienced Herculean rides, viewed superheroes in 7D and
saw life-like movie sets.
The historic city of Washington, DC was a humbling and
learning experience. Here we saw the beautiful White House
and Lincoln Memorial and learnt about their significance in
the country’s rich past. Niagara Falls was a fun and an awe-
inspiring excursion. Our ride on the “Maid of the Mist” was
nothing short of a beautiful dream. Hershey’s Chocolate
OUR JOURNEY (MRIS, Charmwood, Faridabad)
Written and photographed by: Geeta, Harsh, Jyoti & Vinay

11. 7
13
7
Proud to be at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

12. 7
14
7
Gearing up for the ‘Hulk’ roller coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

13. 7
15
7
Feeling important at the White House in Washington, DC!

14. 7
16
7
Happy to be in USA
7
Hanging out at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

15. 7
17
7
Being cool at Kennedy Space Center!
7
Looking forward to our lunch with an astronaut

17. KENNEDY
SPACE CENTER
KENNEDY
SPACE CENTER

18. “There is no strife, no prejudice, and no national conflict in
outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest
deserves the best of all mankind, and this opportunity for
peacefulco-operationmaynevercomeagain.”-JohnF.Kennedy.
NASA has contributed a lot in encouraging the interest of
people in aerospace exploration and science and technology
since its inception in 1958. They also build satellites and these
satellites in turn help scientists to learn more about our very
own planet. NASA also sends astronauts to space in order to
get a better understanding about other celestial bodies and
their life in space.
There were thousands of experiences waiting for us at the
Kennedy Space Center. It was one of our group member’s
dream tours as he wants to become an astronaut. This trip
helped him a lot. We walked among the giant rockets at the
Rocket Garden. We saw a Mercury Red Stone, the rockets
which launched the expectations of the entire country.
Then we saw the Atlantis space shuttle and learnt about its
history and significance. We also learnt about various other
space ships like Apollo 8, Apollo 11 and many more. We saw
an IMAX movie, and we also visited the ‘Heroes and Legends’
exhibit. We went on a bus tour to take a look at various
attractions at the space centre. We saw the launch pad sites,
the runway, the Vehicular Assembly Building and many more
exhibits that left all of us awestruck.
We had an amazing opportunity to have lunch with an
astronaut named Mr. Sam Durrance. He was a part of two
successful space missions. Initially he was a scientist. Later, he
became an astronaut. He was very polite and friendly.
However, as all good things come to an end, so did our trip to
Kennedy Space Center. We learnt many things about space
and even about an astronaut’s life. Though our visit here was
short, it was very memorable.
Kennedy Space Centre (MRIS, Sector-14, Faridabad)
Written and photographed by: Arnav, Bhuvan, Dhruv, Jai Prayas, Minakshi , Manika, Moksha,
Parineeta, Priyanka, Rida & Sahil
7
20

19. 7
We got to meet astronaut Sam Durrance during our visit to Kennedy Space Centre
7
21

20. 7
22
7
Our visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center was filled with abundant learning on space exploration

21. 7
The Q & A session with astronaut Sam Durrance was informative
7
23

22. 7
24
7
7
The bus tour around Kennedy Space Center was interesting
Ready to improve our world with this visit to NASA

23. 7
25
7
7
Saturn V is the largest rocket ever built NASA inspired us!

25. Amusement Parks
Amusement Parks

26. 7
28
Who says you need a green card to visit USA? Our journey
began on the 31st of May, as we boarded our flight from Delhi
toOrlando.WereachedOrlandothefollowingday. Afteragood
night’s rest, we woke up early and got ready, had breakfast and
got into our bus. It was the most exciting day as we had a visit
to Disneyland planned for us.
Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom is a huge amusement park that
is divided into six parts, namely Fantasy Land, Adventure Land,
Main Street USA, Tomorrow Land, Frontier Land and Liberty
Square.
We moved around in groups and tried out different rides and
shows in the park. First we saw the Disney Parade and met our
favourite Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella,
Snow White, Peter Pan and so on. We enjoyed being a part of
all the fun and excitement. Then we went for rides like Thunder
Mountain, a roller coaster that went across the goldmines. It
was little scary but we had a lot of fun. This was followed by
Splash Mountain, a coaster that splashed water on us with
great force. It was amazing. We enjoyed the Pirates of the
Caribbean ride, a simulator that showed us the adventures of
a pirate and his life. We enjoyed this ride as we were seated in
a boat.
At 9 pm all of us assembled at the Main Street to watch the
fireworks display over the Disney Castle. It turned out to be the
most magical experience. After the fireworks, we watched the
“Once upon a time” show which depicted the stories and the
fairytales of Disney characters and it was amongst the most
adorable moments of that day.
We enjoyed experiencing Disney’s Magic Kingdom and it
turned out to be an amazing day. We hope to visit this magical
land sometime in the future.
Amusement Parks (MRIS, Sector-14, Faridabad)
Written and photographed by: Aditya, Bhavya, Manan, Sainyum, Saif, Samayra, Sejal, Shalini,
Siddharth & Syeira

27. 7
29
7
Fun on our minds at Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure

28. 7
30
7
Feeling magical at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

29. 7
31
7
Taking a break from the fun rides

30. 7
32
7
Ever-ready to pose
7
Delighted to be spending a day in the midst of toons!

31. 7
33
7
Friends forever
7
Bringing cool back!

33. Washington, DC
Washington, DC

34. 7
36
On our way to Washington, DC, we took a halt and cherished
each bite of chocolate at the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory,
after carrying on to Washington DC or the Washington
District of Columbia (Washington DC). The respected and
powerful capital of the United States houses the President,
435 representatives and 100 senators.
The Capitol Building makes the laws of one of the greatest
nations. You can smell its seriousness through the quietness
and elegant beauty of its white exterior. All 536 (including
the President) members take essential decisions at the
Capitol Building, which serves as the working building of the
parliament. On it stands a 9.5m statue of a tall lady called
Freedom. Capital to the world’s economic and military power,
this is one of the world’s most powerful capitals. The city, even
though second to none in terms of power, shows a very modest
and sober form of itself.
Being around the White House was quite magnificent. We
were quite astonished about how jurisdiction works in USA.
One of the best things about DC was that it had a number of
interesting museums, which are so informative. The perception
of the city fades away as one indulges in the knowledge
offered by the Smithsonian Museum. The National Air and
Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, also called the
NASM, is a museum in Washington, DC that holds the largest
collection of historic aircrafts in the world.
We also saw the 554 feet tall, freestanding stone structure
perpendicular to the Capitol Building, known as the
Washington Monument, a tribute to the first president of the
country George Washington. In the same line is located the
Lincoln Memorial. The statue is a massive 18 feet high, seated
statue of Lincoln, three times the height of Lincoln himself!
Washington, DC covers 63 sq miles, 18 Smithsonian Museums,
many war memorials and lots of other statues that give an
insight into the history of the country and inspires the nation
about its glorious past. We would like to end with a famous
quote by Abraham Lincoln, “Government of the people, by the
people, for the people shall not perish from the face of Earth”.
Washington, DC (MRIS, Charmwood, Faridabad)
Written and photographed by: Akhil, Ananya, Anushka, Eimad, Lakshya, Reejul, Sanjana & Vansh

35. 7
37
7
We are at the all powerful White House

36. 7
38
7
The Capitol Building is an architectural delight

37. 7
39
7
We learnt a lot about Abraham Lincoln on our visit to the Lincoln Memorial

38. 7
40
7
We enjoyed learning about the history of Washington, DC
7
Our guide was informative and shared exciting facts
about the capital

39. 7
41
7
Getting our dose of info on air and space at the
Smithsonian Museum
7
It was exciting to see the various exhibits at the
Smithsonian Air and Space Center

41. New York City
New York City

42. 7
44
Here comes the last part of our educational tour - the
fascinating city of New York, or the big Apple. This name was
introduced by John J. Fitz Gerald, a sports writer in the 1920’s,
and it came into limelight in the 1970’s due to a promotional
advertisement. New York has various attractions and an
interesting history, for which it is famous.
We began our day with the city tour of New York. We went
through the Tenth Avenue, known as Amsterdam Avenue
between 59th Street and 193rd Street. It is a north-south
thoroughfare on the West Side of Manhattan in New York City
that is famous for its ancient-styled buildings. Next on our list
was the Columbia University. The university’s list of notable
alumni includes Barrack Obama, Alexander Hamilton, Warren
Buffet, Chelsea Clinton and many more. Indian alumnus like
B.R. Ambedkar also graduated from here. The Riverside Church
is a Gothic church with attractive architecture. It opened its
doors on October 5, 1930. It is situated at 120th Street and
490 Riverside, right behind Columbia University.
The World Trade Centre building, also known as the Freedom
Tower, is a 106 storied building located in New York from where
a 360° view of the city can be enjoyed. It was a breathtaking
experience. In the name of the victims of the 9/11 tragedy a
30 feet high waterfall has been built at the same spot, with
the names of the dead engraved on the side walls. The logic
behind the waterfall is that water is a renewable source and in
the same way the past should be renewed. Besides this, there
is a special tree, which has survived from the attack and is
known as the “Survivor Tree”. Today, the tree stands as a living
reminder of resilience, survival and rebirth.
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in Midtown
Manhattan. Times Square is sometimes referred to as “the
Crossroads of the World”. It is one of the busiest tourist
attractions as it is visited by about 3,30,000 people daily.
Times Square functions as a town square but is not a square in
the geometric sense of a polygon; it is more of a bowtie shape.
Next, we visited the Statue of Liberty, a colossal neoclassical
sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The copper
statue, a gift from the people of France to the people of the
United States, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric
Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel. The statue is a
robed female figure representing a Roman goddess. She holds
a torch above her head, in her left arm. A broken chain lies at
her feet. The statue became an icon of freedom of the United
States, and was a welcoming sight to immigrants arriving
from abroad.
With this, our visit to New York came to an end. We had an
amazing experience in this bustling city, and we have returned
with beautiful memories to cherish.
New York City (MRIS, Charmwood, Faridabad)
Written and photographed by: Ashita, Damandeep, Devansh, Irtiqa, Madhav, Nishant,
Ritaj & Shikhar

43. 7
45
7
The Freedom Tower stands tall over the city of New York

44. 7
46
7
The skyline of New York left us in awe

45. 7
47
7
We enjoyed the visit to Riverside Church

46. 7
48
7
Lady Liberty left us speechless
7
Seeing the Statue of Liberty was a dream come true for us

47. 7
49
7
Happiness is spending a few fun moments
together in New York
7
Soaking in the glitz and glamour of Times Square

49. EDTERRA MOMENTS
EDTERRA MOMENTS