Posts from the Past and a Dr. Who Question Needing Your Answer.

 We found the place.

It's called The Space Center

Hello Troops,
One more day before our Fall Vacation. 
Once more I have nothing to report on the renovation.  They say no news is good news, right?

I encourage you to keep the Space Center spirit alive by continuing to read this blog and talking about your Space Center experiences with family and friends.  Let's not let the magic disappear while the Center lies dark.

"Hey, Mr. Williamson, Do you read our comments?" I was recently asked in an email.

Yes, I read every comment before I approve them to appear at the bottom of every post.  Am I any good about responding?  Ah, that's where the rubber hits the road, isn't it?  To be honest, the answer is...... I sometimes forget to respond.
I promise to be better.  So why not start now.

One of The Troubadour's readers asked me what mission I would run if Dr. Who were one of my passengers on the Voyager (submitted by a true Dr. Who fan for sure).  That's a good question.  I'm going to think about it while I throw it out to you.  So - THE QUESTION;  If Dr. Who were coming on a Space Center mission, which mission do you think we should run AND WHY?  Post your responses in the comment section of this email.  I'm curious  about what you think.  I'll let you know my decision and why after reading what you have to say.

Posts from the Past

Tonight I'm going to post three items from the Space Center's first blog in our Posts from the Past series.   

May 4, 2000.
From Mr. Williamson

Hello Friends,
Well, the Space Center passed a major milestone a few weeks ago. If you go to the database and look up attendance you will notice that our total attendance at the Center has crossed the 100,000 mark. We are approaching our tenth birthday on November 10th.

I want to thank all of your for your dedication to the this "unusual" undertaking that has changed all of our lives and many others. We are truly pioneers in a new type of education. All of this is only possible because of you.

100,000 AND GOING STRONG. TO THE 23RD CENTURY AND
BEYOND...........

Mr. Williamson

 By the way, the Space Center's current attendance stands at over 310,000. 

May 9, 2000
"My First Impressions of the Space Center"
By: Tyson Baker

In the summer of `97 I think it was, the end of my 6th grade
year, I got the chance to go to a 5 day camp at AstroCamp. I thought
it was the most amazing thing in the world. But as I was traveling
to AstroCamp, I glanced over the camp description again, and it
mentioned something about a `Christa McAuliffe Center'. I thought it was going to be cheesy and stupid. What I thought was cheesy has changed my life forever.

Once I got to AstroCamp, I queried about the camp to some other members in my group. They said it was the best camp ever, and that it was like Star Trek. My curiosity of the place was growing. As we rode the bus to the center, my stomach began to churn.

The thought of going on a journey to the 23rd century had gotten to
me.  As I arrived at the Center, a staff member took our bags, and
sat them down in the gym. Another one lead us into the Briefing
Room,  where we used to begin, not in the cafeteria. It was pretty cool in there. Mr. Williamson told me that I was in Team 1 and that we would
be going in the Voyager first. The rest of the kids were assigned to
the Odyssey, and some were assigned to the Classroom. I remember
Dave lining the kids up against the wall, and staring at them, to see who
would break out laughing first.

After the other kids had left, Mr. Williamson gave us our briefing. I can't put a finger on it, but I think I went on the `Corridor' mission the first time I was there. We boarded the Voyager, and entered through the spinning doors, which I thought were awesome. They had bold music playing as we entered the bridge. I knew it was already going to be fun.

The first job I had at the Space Center was Recorder/Security Officer.
The thing that capture my imagination about that place is that you were in a starship of the 23rd century. You got to fight alien bad guys. But the most important thing was that it was the most realistic thing I had ever experienced. When I went on the first mission, I thought that was the most amazing thing ever. The difference between now and then is that they have different staff, different missions, different equipment, and different simulators.  But I still think the Voyager is the best, since that's the first ship I went on.

I think the magic of the place is, well, everything...

This is Tyson Baker,
Signing off.

May 9, 2000

When I first went to the space center in 5th grade I thought it was the coolest thing in the world even though I was doing that old exploding star science mission with the romulan(I think it was a romulan) and I was the ambassador. The romulan chewed me up. I was extremely nervous. But I had an awesome time. I thought it was the coolest thing in the whole world. Then I went on my first two day mission. Oh boy. I had so much fun. It helps to go with somebody you know cause then it is even more fun.

I think the "magic" of the Space Center is the staff, and others who make it fun for all the little who come.

-Andy Heaton

Pictures from the Space Center's Past. And, the Imaginarium

Hello Troops,

Mrs. Houston stopped by my cozy white trailer at Central Elementary School two weeks ago with a grocery bag holding a stack of pictures she took years ago at one of the Space Center' summer camps. 

"Here you go.  You might want to post these," she said.  I thanked her.  She just made my life easier.

It's not easy keeping up a Space Center blog when the Space Center is closed and there really isn't anything to write about.  Everyday I think, "What can I put in The Troubadour today?"  The Space Center is like a ghost ship floating aimlessly in space.  It sits there, all locked up, vacant and in the dark.  No one IN the Space Center means no stories to tell.  No stories to tell means nothing to write in the blog.  You get my point, don't you?  That's why I was happy to get the pictures from Mrs. Houston.  Now I have something to write about!  Mr. Williamson is a happy camper.  If Mr. Williamson is a happy camper, then hopefully by posting these pictures, I'll be able to make you a happy camper too.

Jennifer Remy teaching the Apollo 13 lesson to our summer campers in July of 2002.  The Apollo 13 class was a favorite of our campers, our staff and our volunteers.  
  

July 2002.   Brady Young and McKay Hardy are putting together the life saving equipment that will keep them alive on their long trip back to Earth from the Moon in their crippled space capsule.  Doesn't Brady look young? 

"No!  It couldn't be.  That isn't a very young and immature Casey Voeks....... is it?" you ask.
"Why yes it is," I answer.

The photo above shows Current Space Center Flight Director Casey Voeks as seen in July of 2002 working with an unknown partner as part of the Apollo 13 lesson.   What about that shirt?

Many of you have flown with Casey either at the Space Center or iWorlds in Park City.  Casey is currently working on setting up iWorld's Valiant simulator at a school in Eagle Mountain.  In his spare time, he dabbles in real estate and substitute teaches. 
  

One of our Honor's Night in 2006.  How many of our current and old staff do you recognize?

Julie Collette in the Apollo 13 class.  July 2002.

Bill Schuler with his niece and the brave crew of the Falcon in the summer of 2002.  My nephew Brock Bodily is kneeling.  Brock is currently serving an LDS mission in South Africa. 

The Falcon was a portable simulator housed in Central School's cafeteria.  The desks and computers were inside the Starlab bubble.  Mr. Schuler and Mrs. Houston ran the Falcon for a time along with Stacy Carrell and Josh Babb. 

This photograph was taken during the summer of 2002.  Mr. Schuler and Mrs. Clegg were the summer camp cooks that summer. 

And finally, Chris Call.  This photo was taken in April 2002.  Chris was the Odyssey's Set Director for several years.  Chris was awesome - there is no other way to describe him.  The staff, volunteers and campers loved him.

Thanks to Mrs. Houston, there will be other photos to follow in future posts.

And now, the Imaginarium

 There is always one in every crowd you hand out with.  Who is the one in your circle of friends?

"Johnny, what would you like for dessert?"  Mother asked at his birthday dinner.
"Nothing," Johnny replied.

Johnny got his wish!

 I'll take a 32 ounce of Out of Control.  Wow, I'll bet it carries quiet a punch!

 I don't know about this.  I know a few people whose beliefs could be written on a postage stamp!

 Wow, think how far you've traveled through space since you started reading this post!

We are all astronauts if you stop and think about it.

I  always wanted a pet but decided against it.  Caring for a pet takes time and effort.

 Well, not anymore!

A stubby little vacuum cleaner like this would make a perfect pet for me.
 It just takes a bit of imagination.

This is just like a Flight Director with his crew.

How many of you have gotten scared during a Space Center mission?

Those evil Flight Directors!

And Finally,

An Imaginative Halloween Story.....

 

Thursday's News and Updates. Plus, the Imginarium

 

The Imaginarium is in the process of covering the Space Center

signs with "Welcome to Reality" signs.

Our little corner on the Imagination market is temporarily Out of Commission.

Hello Troops,
I'm in my nice quiet trailer on Central's playground waiting for a parent or two to stop by to hear the great things I have to say about their child unlucky enough to be in my math class.  Not many parents stop, either out of fear (you know, the old cranky veteran teacher who started teaching shortly after the Bubonic Plague swept through Europe) or because I do such a great job keeping them informed of their child's progress that they feel there is no need to make an appointment.

I'm impressed with the new Common Core math our district implemented this year.  I was skeptical at first.  We've had so many math programs come and go over the years.  You learn to smile, take the new book, stick it on the shelve and continue as normal.  Not so with this new math.  The Common Core math program is well thought out and difficult (a good difficult).  Today's students in the Alpine School District need to really focus in their math classes if they want to do well.  The assignments contain several real world problems forcing students to take the math learned and use it in detailed, complex word problems.

I know many of The Troubadour's readers are Alpine District students.  What do you think of your new math this year? 

Let me offer a suggestion if you find yourself struggling.  Make an online visit to the Kahn Academy (www.khanacademy.org) for help at home.  There are hundreds of small videos teaching you every type of math possible.   Khan Academy will be your life line.

Space Center Renovation News     

Sadly, no news to report on the Space Center's renovation.  Work has not started.
I get many emails and phone calls asking for information.  Many are frustrated,  especially those who had their parties and camps canceled, that I haven't anything to report. The renovation is under the direction of the district's maintenance department.  I'm out of the loop on this one folks, which is why I can't answer your questions. 

Any news I come across will be posted to the blog - so please keep checking.

iWorlds

Many of The Troubadour's readers flew in the iWorlds ship Valiant when it was housed at Thanksgiving Point.  The Valiant was built in a semi trailer and is pattered after the Voyager at the Space Center. It holds 16 crew and three staff.  The Valiant was moved from Thanksgiving Point to Park City last November.  It currently sits unused in Provo.  That may change soon. 

Rockwell Charter High School in Eagle Mountain has expressed an interest in hosting the Valiant at their school for the school year.  If all goes well, the Valiant will open before Christmas.  Rockwell proposes to use the Valiant for its own students, then open the simulator to the public after school hours.

I'll keep you posted on developments so keep reading The Troubadour for the latest news on anything Space Center related.  

The Imaginarium

And now, sit back and relax while we have our imagination's exercised at Wonderland's Imaginarium. 

The different accepted methods for holding a tea cup.

By the way, Posh means 'British upper class' in Britspeak.

Perhaps too much imagination in this. 

Brillaint!

I would have been this machine's #1 customer in August and September :)

There's a sad story in this picture.

Imagine, a walk through library with simulated books on the shelves.

Scan the bar code with your phone and the book appears on your mobile device.

Creativity: A +

The Penquins are back, giving great advice.

I use their "Just smile and wave" example all the time 

when faced with a "New Math" problem I've no clue how to solve.  I remain calm, I stand up, I smile and wave and walk away from the confused 6th grader.

Star Wars and Dr. Suess team up on a new series of children's books.

Crime Scene investigation.

Imagination: A

A perfect Christmas gift for that balding relative or friend?

Imagination: B

Humor: A

Practical?: F

Still might be worth a try to disguise that thin spot at the top of my head.

The things you'll see on an evening walk through Wonderland.

Have you ever taken the time to stop and ask?

Don't be a slave to it.

There is more to life.  Look below.....

Last call for all those who want to leave...

A moment of perfect time.

The pictorial definition of "Jumping into the deep end".

Only one please.  Whichever you need the most.

A reminder of a simpler time.

Thank you for reading The Troubadour and your continued support of the Space Center.  Keep imagining; take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

Mr. Williamson