The Space Academy Welcomes Megan Warner Back to the Magical World of Space EdVenturing. The CMSC's Galileo Gets a 5000 Light Year Inspection From its Creator. Can the Ship be Saved? The Space Academy's 6th Grade Young Astronaut Tiger Squadron Takes Top Team. Imaginarium Theater

Jensen Caldwell, Megan Warner, and Bracken Funk on the Bridge of the USS Voyager.
Renaissance Space Academy

     The Space Academy in Lehi is pleased to announce the return of a Space Center legend.  Megan Warner has come back to the magical world of Space EdVenturing. It happened quite unexpectedly on a cold Saturday afternoon.  I knew something out of the realm of understood physics was about to happen when I exited my car. Perhaps it was something in the air; a smell or a hint of a spring breeze. Standing in the Academy's parking lot, I felt the wind hesitate as if it had something important to say, and for a second a thought popped into consciousness. And then it disappeared just as quickly . Nearby trees announced the returning winter wind whispering a message I couldn't quite hear.  
     I saw lights in the distance; far away, circling high above the road.  Slowly they descended to take the shape of a small black car. It puttered past Learning Dynamics Preschool.  Sparks lit up the early morning darkness as the car's undercarriage scraped bottom entering the school's parking lot. 
     The door opened and out stepped Megan Warner with a Starbucks in one hand and umbrella in the other. She smiled as she walked toward me.  "How are you Bossman?" 
     "Megan, long time no see," I replied with surprise.  "Here for a visit?"  She smiled and tapped the side of her nose. 
     "I'm here for the children..."  Her statement sounded ominous but her voice was kind.
     "The children?"  I interrupted.  She saw the puzzled look on my face.  
     She seemed annoyed with my interruption. "Am I correct that Bracken is here?"
     "Yes."
     "Exactly, I'm here for the children and for all of you."
     I explained that Bracken was great with the students and an asset in moving the program forward. I told her he has adapted to the school climate and watches his language and bodily sounds and gases.  
     "I have no doubt that Bracken has been an asset in getting things ship shape around here..."  she paused. "Not to say that it wasn't functioning within normal parameters before. I'm sure you did your best considering your advanced years - God bless you," she patted my cheek as we walked down the first grade hallway toward the Voyager. "But let's consider the facts; you, Bracken, Isaac, Spencer, Jensen, Ethan, Brad, Logan, Dylan." 
     I sensed where she was going. "We have Jenny and Livy on staff too." 
     "Very good. I would expect that; however, this place definitely needs a mature woman's touch to balance things out...... so, I'm here to ensure the children get a well balanced program - one not too heavy on space battles and intergalactic warfare."  
     We reached the Briefing Room's door.  "Having someone with your experience on staff will be a blessing," I said.
     "I agree," she replied.  "Now, I willing to work the occasional weekday evening - emphasis on occasional. I'm able to come in on Saturdays but never Sundays. Holidays are optional.  Are we keeping up or am I going too fast?" 
     "I understand. We're happy to work around your schedule."
     "Aren't you brave, and doing so well.  You just relax and let us do the heavy lifting. You focus on your 6th graders and the Young Astronauts."  And with that she entered the control room. 
     "Megan!" Bracken shouted. I heard a chair tip over.  
     "Happy to see me?" I heard her say as I walked out of the room and up the stairs to my classroom to prepare for my programming class.  

     All fun aside, we are privileged to have Megan working with us at the Space Academy. 

Megan's early days. Here she is with the Magellan staff helping out on a mission

      Megan has years of experience as a volunteer, supervisor, and flight and set director at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center.  In June of 2013 Megan became the CMSEC director when I retired from the school district.  She left the Space Center when James Porter was hired. The district wanted a certified teacher at the helm. 

Megan as director of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center with Asst. Director Jon Parker

     Megan has been in and out helping Utah County's space centers wherever and whenever she was needed.  Now, she has settled at the Space Academy. Her talents and experience will be welcome as we continue to develop our inhouse missions for the students of Renaissance Academy along with the Young Astronauts and Voyager Club programs.  
     The Voyager is a lucky ship indeed to have such an experienced staff of CMSEC veterans.  Great things are happening with more to come.  Stay tuned. 

Megan feeling very much at home on the bridge of the Starship Voyager

The Little Ship that Could Soon to Get a Facelift.  Admiral David Kyle Herring Stops by for an Inspection

James Porter and Kyle Herring Inspect the Galileo

      The Galileo was on and humming nicely when its creator entered the cafeteria for an inspection last Thursday evening.  I stopped by for the event on my way home from the Academy. Kyle hadn't seen his masterpiece in quite a while and I wanted to be on hand to capture the moment.
     Sadly, the Galileo won't find a home in the new Space Center scheduled to open in the Fall of 2020.  "There just won't be room," James Porter explained.  "We want the Galileo to go to a good home where it will be loved and most of all used." 
     Kyle was called in to give the ship its 5000 light year service check and to explore a few possibilities with Mr. Porter. "We're not going to let this Galileo suffer the same fate as the first," he said.  

David Kyle Herring with the his first Galileo

     I did my best to find the first Galileo a good home but there were no takers.  In the end the ship was sold, dismantled, and taken for its parts - which is all the more reason we have to protect and preserve the new Galileo so it doesn't suffer the same fate.  Kyle is leading the effort to maintain and preserve the new Galileo. 

     Are you interested in working with Kyle to keep the Little Ship that Could away from the Star Fleet scrap yard?  We have a few ideas.  Contact me for more information.  Director@SpaceCampUtah.org.

Victor 

Congratulate the Space Academy's 6th Grade Young Astronauts Tiger Squadron for Taking the Top Team Award for the Third Round of Missions and Lessons

The 6th Grade Tiger Young Astronauts Squadron and Guests on the Starship Everest at the
Discovery Space Center

         

     The Space Academy's good friends at the Discovery Space Center at Canyon Grove Academy kindly offered a free mission as a reward to the Academy's top 6th grade team for the third round of missions and lessons.  The Tiger Squadron scored 159 points in the round, far ahead of the other three 6th grade squadrons.

The Tigers picking their jobs and learning their mission objects from the Space Academy's very own Spencer Baird.

      They flew their bonus mission on the Starship Everest at the DSC in Pleasant Grove and had a great time.  I want to thank the DSC for their support of our Young Astronaut program.  It is a real treat for our Young Astronauts to get to experience other starship simulators in Utah County.  Thank you Discovery Space Center! 
     The Space Academy is happy to do the same for students and staff from the DSC.  The Voyager is gassed up, windows washed and oil checked.  
     Congratulations 6th Grade Tigers on a job well done!

Mr. Williamson 

Imaginarium Theater
The Best Short Videos from Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience.