A Merry Christmas to All Current and Past Staff and Volunteers and Proof I was a Good Boy Back in the Day. Jon Becomes a Teacher. Alex DeBirk's Talents. The Center Gets a New Desk. Theater Imaginarium.

Mr. James Porter and Mr. Jon Parker (the only picture I could quickly find of them together) Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas 

 

     The Space Center's leadership team wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas.  Perhaps Mr. Porter and Mr. Parker will take some time off to spend with family and friends, they absolutely deserve it.  

     Aren't you impressed with the new additions to the Space Center programs over this last year - the laser shows, the new Christmas planetarium shows, the new lobby furniture?  And that doesn't even start to list improvements to the simulators.  Under Mr. Porter's leadership, look for more of the same in 2024.  The Space Center is the magical place to be.

     Speaking of Christmas,  are you embracing the spirit of the holiday (or at least enjoying some time off)? 

     Teachers and students relish every minute of every vacation day because we know each passing hour brings us closer to January 8th and the start of the longest stretch of government-sanctioned torture allowed by law and the International Court of Justice. I'm talking about the marathon of time between Christmas and Spring Break, where the hearts of teachers and students grow faint due to cramped enclosed classrooms, bitter temperatures, polluted air - which in turn bring multiple inside recess days, and a serious lack of celebrated holidays.  We are all possessed of near-fatal cabin fever come Spring Vacation. 

Honor's Night Back in the Day

   

     Now that we've reached the end of 2023, I want to thank the current and past staff and volunteers for the time you've given the Space Center over the last 33 years. I consider you friends, coworkers, and overall amazing people.  I'm grateful for the time you've given to help with the missions and classes. I'm honored that you respect these programs enough to make them a part of your lives. 

     What a blessing a simulator based experiential education program would have made in my life had one been around when I was a teenager in South Dakota back in the dark ages. I would have been that super annoying young volunteer needing to be kicked out the door at the end of every mission. 

     I feel rewarded and humbled to be associated with such outstanding young men and women. Thank you, and for you pre-drivers, please thank your parents for their time and gas to get you to the simulators and back. 

The Late 1990's.
Metta, Dustin, Chase, James, Rio, and Ryan Kneeling.
Yes, that guy in the white shirt is our very own Mr. Porter.

     The Space Center is a collective work of dedicated volunteers and staff united in an effort to increase people's interest and knowledge of space. Over time, our efforts will play a part in the creation a space-faring civilization  colonizing the solar system. From there, we will explore the farthest reaches of the observable universe. If you wonder what keeps me working as a teacher and volunteer in this field day after day – there it is, and you thought it was the money.  For shame.  

As you can tell by my healthy appearance, I've never been one in want of sweets.  It was one way to keep me quiet. That's me in my mother's lap wondering why Granny hasn't rewarded me for sitting so nicely for the picture, 1959.

     I hope Santa has you on his list of approved stops. I hope you find your stockings filled with sweets and toys. I hope you remember that giving brings more blessings than receiving. Don't forget the greatest gift you can give is the gift of yourself. Give a little love and kindness to those you care about this holiday season. And remember those who may be in need next door or around the corner. An act of  kindness could brighten the day.

Mr. Williamson 1961. A Good Boy for Santa then and now.

     Tonight I'll be settling down to a long winter's nap hoping Santa remembers my little cottage nestled on a hillside in Pleasant Grove. I should be on his list - it is one of those defined benefits outlined in every teacher's employment packet; as long as Santa uses the broadest definition of the word "good". 

I got a vase for Christmas. Perhaps 1960 wasn't a good year for me.

Well, now that I think about it,  there was the .......
And I can't forget about that time when..........
Then there is the time that ..........
I shouldn't of said that about...............
........ Well, at least I'll have enough coal for the fireplace. Yes - there will be enough coal.

Mr. Williamson and Older Sister Kim in 1963. We Were Santa's Favorites. I'm told by reliable elves that a copy of this photo hangs proudly in Santa's front parlor as examples of children practically perfect in every way.This was originally a black and white photo.  My Grandma Violet painted the photo. She went a bit too heavy on the lips. 

    I want to wish the staff and volunteers of this magical island of imagination a Merry Christmas.  

Ad Astra!

Mr. Williamson

A Congratulations and Tribute to Our Friend Jon

By Mr. Porter

As you can see, Jon has mastered the "Teacher Look" required of all new teachers. This look, when used properly, will stop a student dead in his tracks; and when cast broadly, will quiet even the most disruptive classroom.

     Over a month ago I mentioned something very big that was coming down the pipe. We often have major changes that impact our program and the trajectory of what we do. This is perhaps not one of those moments for us as a whole but it is something for an individual. This person, like so many, has poured their heart and soul into the Space Center. That often has meant sacrificing time that goes beyond a scheduled shift or doing the minimum before leaving for the day. Instead they have nestled a little niche not only into our physical facility, but into so many of our lives. That same sacrificing nature has had them spend many hours helping so many of us even when they probably had other important personal items needing their attention. Thankfully they took enough time and dedicated enough effort to achieve an accomplishment that I felt was significant to draw your attention to. Not to diminish the many, many, similar accomplishments that so many of you have equally attained. But it is my pleasure to share that from my understanding, Jon has completed all steps necessary to graduate and become a certified teacher. I hope you'll join with me in celebrating this milestone in his life. He overcame many challenges to get to this point and so I just felt it necessary to point a little bit of a spotlight on his accomplishment. 

     Congrats from all of us Jon.  

The Space Center's New Lobby Desk

     

     Mr. Porter's Christmas wish came early this year with the arrival of the highly anticipated new lobby desk. 

Hyrum and Marcus trying out the new desk. Marcus dreams of the day when he will sit in the tall seat. It will take time, but he will get there. I'm sure of it.

 

The lobby as seen from the tall seat

     This new desk accommodates two people and  reaches new heights of luxurious comfort when compared to the old desk.  "Knowing that I'm going to get to sit in the high seat of the New Desk motivates me to come to work," Hyrum was overheard saying. "I'm kind of torn now. Do I put in for more lobby shifts or continue my work as a Cassini Flight Director?  This desk makes me wonder."  

     Tours of the New Desk are free of charge.  Contact the lobby staff for an appointment.

Merry Christmas from our Friends at InFiniD Learning

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from your favorite team of trouble-makers!

May your days be merry and bright,

/The Infini-D Learning Team

Alex DeBirk, Director of the Discovery Space Center at American Heritage School, Appears with the One Voice Children's Choir in a New Video.

Imaginarium Theater

The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience