Contact Victor Williamson with your questions about simulator based experiential education programs for your school.
SpaceCampUtah@gmail.com

Friday, October 19, 2012

News, Ancient Picture of the Day, A Facebook Drive and The Imaginarium


Hello Troops,
There is an update on the Space Center's renovation.  Check out the right side bar.....

I've got a great math class this year.  They are good kids, fairly sharp, and quick witted.  They enjoy a good anecdote served with side of sarcasm.  They're quiet (mostly), get their work in on time, and enjoy listening to my "When I was your age...." stories.  What more would a teacher want in a class?  Mind you, their attentiveness to my stories may be a ruse to avoid classwork.     

Today's Picture of the Day


  This picture was taken in the mid 1990's in the Briefing Room (Space Center Office).  A few things have changed in the Briefing Room.
1. Our picture of Christa McAuliffe hangs in the hallway today. 
2. The "USS VOYAGER" sign above the white board was there because back
    then, the Briefing Room was considered the Voyager's Briefing Room.  It was
    a part of the Voyager.  Voyager crews used the Briefing Room for crew
    meetings.  Think of the Briefing Room as the Voyager Captain's Ready Room.
3. Pictures of the Space Center's staff were displayed on a bulitten board at the
    front of the room.
4. This picture was taken at the end of an Overnight Camp.
     Back row staff:  Dave Wall; Odyssey Set Director.  Bill Schuler, still at the
     Space Center today.  Me.  Mark Daymont; current Magellan Flight Director
     and Space Center educator.  Jason Hills, volunteer.  Alan Steward (behind
     Jason) Space Center programmer.  Stephen Porter;  All around good guy
     and Supervisor.
     Front Row:  Ryan Davis; volunteer.  Luke Mattson; volunteer and Corbin
     Simmons; volunteer.
5.  We had burgundy colored staff shirts.

Overnight Camps started at 5:00 P.M. Friday evenings and ended at 11:00 A.M. Saturday mornings.  The campers went to bed at midnight and got up at 6:30 A.M.  Campers enjoyed an all you can eat pizza supper on Friday nights after they were briefed on their missions and trained to fly their ships.  The price of an Overnight Camp was $30.00. The Voyager and Odyssey were our only two ships. Things have changed, haven't they?

Space Center Facebook Page

Kyle Herring and Casey Voeks have opened a Space Center Facebook page.  They would appreciated it if you would 'like' the page the next time you go to Facebook.

They are asking people to post their pictures of the Space Center and post stories of your Space Center experiences.  They are afraid people will forget the Space Center if it is closed for an extended period of time.  I told them that would never happen - not with our die hard fans!

The Imaginarium


This must be one of the cars that speed by me in the mornings
when I'm working as a crossing guard on 100 North in P.G.  
They go straight through the crosswalk at 30 mph even when 
I'm standing in the middle of the road wearing my brilliant orange 
safety vest
     

   
A good education is the foundation of good citizenship.
Our colleges and universities must be affordable for your average
American.  That's my 2 cents worth.

    
What's for supper? 
Broccoli, Fish Sticks and Hot Dogs.



Double AMEN, especially with today's new math.


Found on a Burger King door.
Creativity: A


A dog house under the stairs.
Perfect for the dog named "Harry".  Max also I suppose.



Ever have one of those days?


Imagination: A


For every Force, there is an equal but opposite Force.
Are glasses a requirement for being on the Good side of nature?



Something to think about before you lift that
pack of gum.


Contact lenses of the future.  The Internet, with you 24/7.
I'll take a pair and tune out permanently. 


Imagination: A


An orphan from World War 2 receiving a new pair of shoes.
It kinda puts things in perspective, doesn't it?
Are we just a bit spoiled today?  


A creative footbridge across the Seine in France.
Creativity: A


In your neighborhood's friendly Bakery Shop.
The perfect diet killer.


A great way to get attention from street traffic!

Have a Great Weekend!
Mr. W.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Our Nearest Star Neighbor has an Earth Sized Planet! The Latest Exciting Space News.

Hello Troops,
News of an Earth sized planet orbiting Alpha Centauri, our nearest stellar neighbor, is causing quite a buzz in astronomical circles.  Unfortunately, it is too close to its star to support life.   

We live in amazing times.  Sometimes I think I am the one who fell down the rabbit hole and landed in Wonderland, especially when I compare how the world has changed since I was in elementary school.  Think about what we've discovered about ourselves and our universe in the past forty years.  Then contemplate what changes will come during your lifetime.   How blessed we are to see and experience such things. 

The graph below will tell you more about this amazing planet.  You'll also learn more about our nearest stellar neighbor.

Mr. Williamson 


Find out about the nearby Alpha Centauri star system and its newly-discovered Earth-size planet, in this SPACE.com infographic.
Source SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Man Breaks Sound Barrier - In Freefall!

 
Moments after leaving the balloon's capsule, Felis begins the descent. Picture from the open door. All photos credit Red Bull Stratos.

Three world records were broken Sunday when Felix Baumgartner of Austria ascended to a record 128,100 feet (highest manned balloon ascent), and then jumped in a free fall descent to land by parachute in Roswell, New Mexico. Yes, THAT Roswell.


Felix leaves the capsule.

The attempt was hit by trouble. Once he had left the capsule, a heating problem with the visor caused fogging, and he immediately began a dangerous spin. Later he reported that he was concerned he could pass out from the spin forces. However, as he encountered thicker atmosphere, he managed to controlled his spin and continue the fall as planned.
On the way down, he broke another record when his speed reached an incredible mach 1.24, becoming the first person to exceed the sound barrier without a jet or rocket. Upon reaching the determined altitude, his chute opened to slow him, and then his parasail was deployed so he could maneuver to the designated landing zone.


Plenty of advertising space on the chute!

When he had safely reached the ground he fell to his knees and triumphantly raised his arms in victory. He was soon joined by his mentor, Col. Joe Kittinger (ret.) who was the previous record holder. Felix had now become the man with the highest parachute jump.
The record making jump occurred exactly 65 years from the day that another man, American Chuck Yeager, made his world record becoming the first to break the sound barrier in the Bell X-1, on October 14, 1947.

65 years ago, Chuck Yeager standing beside the Bell X-1.
Mark Daymont
Space Center Educator