Boeing, WOW!!!

I am teaching summer school (rather summer extravaganza, as we like to call it) again this summer and the theme this year is colossal careers.  Last week each teacher focused lessons/hands on activities around careers that were service related.  On Thursday the kids participated in various community service projects around Centralia.  Some cleaned Centralia Middle School, some repainted the tiger paws that lead to Centralia High School, while others partnered with Parks and Rec to pick up litter at and around Borst Park and Riverside Park.


This week the focus was on careers related to aviation.  The kids learned about engineers, flight attendants, pilots etc.  Today we loaded up the bus and headed to Boeing.  For some of our kids the drive through Seattle was one that they will never forget as many of them have never ventured that far away from Centralia.  Personally, I could have done with out the bus ride, but once we arrived it was well worth the trip. 


We took a tour and got to see the assembly lines for the 747,  the 777, and the 787.  On the 777 the entire assembly line actually moves (plane and all).  The parts for the 787 (Dreamliner as it is called) are not all assembled in Everett, but rather around the world in various pieces.  They are then flow to Everett by way of a modified 747 for the final assembly in Everett.  Once all of the parts arrive it can be assembled in as little as 3 days!  It was quite a sight to see. 

The building alone that houses all of these aircraft assembly lines was enormous and fascinating in and of itself.  It is actually the largest building in the world.  We were told that all of Disneyland would fit inside with room for a 12 acre parking garage!  We even got to see a 787 land on the runway.  I'm thankful that we live so close to such a world impacting company.  All in all it was quite an exciting day!