The Power of Suggestion

Magellan Simulator Security Officers Discuss Options with Staff

By Alex A.
Space Center Programming Guild

A few weeks back, I was doing bridge on the voyager. This was a slightly older group (about 14-15 years old) and they were running 'Midnight Rescue.' They were doing a pretty good job, and eventually transported the New Earth engineer (Sierra, a Central worker) onboard. The security quickly dispatched her and brought her up to the brig. After a few minutes, the engineer stirred and the security officer quickly grabbed his interrogation papers and began badgering the helpless engineer. The engineer curled up in the corner and didn't say a word. Discouraged, the security officer emerged from the brig and walked up to me. He said "What am I doing wrong? She won't tell me a thing!" I thought for a moment, and then told him "Well, maybe you are being too harsh with her. She might feel more comforted if you talk to her kindly." I told him to act like his best friends mom would act to him. He stood there for a moment, probably thinking "He wants me to do that!?! He's crazy!" But eventually he walked back to the brig with his clipboard and warily stepped in. The engineer looked up at him, and then resumed her original position. He walked closer to her and said something like "Are you alright? It's okay, don't worry." Remember that this is a 14-15 year old guy. I smiled and returned to the bridge. A few minutes later I decided to check up on the conversation and saw the security officer crouched down next to her, talking with the engineer in that same soothing voice. I saw a few of the questions filled in on his clipboard. It amazed me that I was able to make this security officer warm up to this engineer so much by just telling him to.

I guess that is all.

Alex A

Why Limited Super 17 Hour Overnight Camps and No Leadership Camp.

Greetings from Mr. Herring!
Subject: Super 17 Hour Overnighters and Teenager Leadership Camp
We have had several emails expressing disappointment about our age limitations for Super Overnight Camps and the disappearance of our Leadership Camp from the summer schedule. I want to apologize to our older campers that wanted to participate in a Leadership Camp or a Super 17 Hour Overnighter. First, let me tell you how hard it was for us to make this year's summer camp schedule. We knew we couldn't accommodate the demand for longer camps, especially the Super 17 Hour Overnighters and the Leadership Camps because of the following reasons:
• Most of the older students wishing to registering for the Super 17 Hour Overnight Camps have already done our mission "Canada". With so many students wanting to go, and with limited availability (remember we only allow 19 per camp), we thought it would be wise to give everyone the experience when they are young and allow them to attend only one.
• Super Overnighters and Leadership Camps are difficult to produce. In the past, I have spent at least one hundred hours to prepare a mission that will be run 2 times during a summer season (USS Canada for the 5th and 6th graders and Maelstrom for 7th and 8th grades). The Leadership camp is slightly different. I'm not preparing mission stories but I am scheduling camp activities—field trips, buses, food, classes, guest speakers, and mission schedules.
• In the past, I was a full-time employee of the Space Center. I am now part time and have a another job that demands a minimum of 40 hours per week. It is a better paying job with health benefits. I can't donate as many hours to the Center as I did in the past.
Because of limited time, I have decided that my volunteer hours at the Space Center will be used for:

A. Maintaining the Simulators of the Center.
B. Developing my new overnight story, "A Matter of Honor" for the Voyager, which will premier this summer on Overnight Missions.
C. Starting and directing the Space Center's new Community Outreach Program (fan club) called "The Explorers Club". Expect news on this club very soon. Trust me, you will love this club. There will be opportunities for more Super Overnighters and Leadership Camps for campers aged 10 through 17.
D. Raising money for the construction of a new Galileo and a refit of the USS Voyager.

As you can all see, with a full time job, personal life and my part time job at the Space Center I am already burning the candle at both ends! Thanks for your support and understanding. Thank you for your enthusiasm for the Center. I look forward to working with you in the new Explorers Club. Keep checking the Blog often for updates or, send your email address to the Space Center and you'll be notified when the Club will hold its first orientation meeting. Be sure to get your parent's permission before sending your email address!

All the best,
Mr. Herring

A New Top Score for Midnight Rescue!

Hello Troops,
Two new records were set this week and its only Wednesday! On Monday the first sixth grade class from Cedar Ridge Elementary School beat the old top score of 4 Strikes set by Lehi Junior High. The Cedar Ridge Class scored 2 Strikes. Remember, a perfect score is a Negative 3 (-3). Major mistakes made by the crew are called “Strikes”. I momentarily stop the mission and announce the penalty. A quick discussion follows and the mission proceeds. Midnight Rescue mission has three objectives. Each time an objective is reached a strike is removed. If a crew makes no mistakes and reaches all three objectives, their score would be a -3.

I thought a 2 was unbelievable. A score better than a 2 would be as impossible as me winning the Power Ball Lottery! If I had purchased a lottery card today I would have struck gold. The first 6th grade class from Deerfield Elementary scored a 1 on Midnight Rescue!

The Ambassador played his part well. He stood up for freedom and democracy when I tried to prove that an absolute dictatorship was the most efficient way to run a government. He responses were clever- something I rarely see in a 6th grader.

For the most part the captain made good decisions. There were a few errors. He wanted to blow up the satellite and repair ship. The crew worked the stations well. The discipline was outstanding. It was a pleasure to fly a crew like this.

I discussed their performance at the end of the mission. I saved their score for last - you know how you do it - build them up for the cheer. I thought the screaming and cheering coming from their young throats would lift the ceiling right off the Voyager. It was deafening. They were happy and I was pleased. Congratulations to Deefield Elementary for taking top score on Midnight Rescue.

Mr. Williamson