A Space Center Open House Update and A Letter to the Editor

Hello Troops,

In a previous post I suggested a Space Center Open House for November 8th.  The response was so overwhelming it caused me to rethink the event.  The thought of hundreds and hundreds of people touring the simulators for pictures and reminiscing, within a few short evening hours, convinced me to suggest another option to our administrators.  The human traffic jams in the school's halls and in the ships would make a junior high school hallway between class periods, look like a walk through the park.  I will suggest a five hour Saturday open house sometime in November.  People will be able to come and go at their leisure, keeping the crowds manageable.  More information on a Space Center Open House will be posted once permissions are given. 
  

The following is portion of a letter to the editor of the Salt Lake Tribune concerning the article on the closure of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center which ran in the paper last week.  Many letters and emails similar to this are coming in from people from all over the country.  People are sharing their experiences from the Space Center, hoping to show how important this program was to them, and hoping it will continue far into the future.    

"The closing of The Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center is a tragedy.....

While the space center is closed, dreams are being crushed, because they are not being allowed to form.

The McAuliffe center altered the course of my life. Because of it, I graduated from Harvard with degrees in astrophysics and Earth and planetary sciences. I then designed and built scientific instruments that went to the South Pole to study the beginning of the universe.

I am now preparing for doctoral work that will entail researching Europa, a moon of Jupiter that I first learned about 12 years ago on my first visit to the center. None of that would be true if it had been "temporarily" closed back when I was 10.

The space center helped me turn my dreams into reality, and mine is just one of thousands of stories......."

Kristi Bradford - Salt Lake Tribune Editorial

New York City

This reminded me of an article I read in Scientific America in 1997.  The article discussed a study at Purdue University first published in 1993. Engineering students at Purdue were asked what motivated them to go into engineering.  The responses surprised the study's authors.  The number one reason given was Scotty, the Starship Enterprise's Chief Engineer.  I've quoted that study often when explaining to people how science fiction and science go hand in hand. 
 
I am another example.  My love for science and space sprang from my love of science fiction. Such is the power of science fiction when used as a motivational tool in education.  The Space Center understands this connection better than any organization. Carl Sagen, a renowned American astronomer, said it best in this short video presentation 

Questions and The Imaginarium (To Lighten Things Up a Bit)

 

 We were so busy worrying about other things we totally forgot to celebrate the season's first snowfall.

A quick rummage through the closet and  I was ready with my Winter Survival Gear

Hello Troops,
Wow, didn't that past week put us through the emotional wringer?   It is time to move on.   It's time to take a breather and enjoy Halloween Week!!!  Dust off your costume, plan your trick or treat route and finish that neighborhood survey to find out who is giving out the worshiped treasure of Halloween, A FULL SIZED CANDY BAR!

Before we get to the Imaginarium, let me answer a few questions sent in by one of the Space Center's Supervisors.   My answers to his questions are in blue. 

Connor L. wrote: 

I thought the question you asked on the blog was pretty cool, so you should do some more, here's some of my ideas of a couple you could try and my answers to them:

If you could relate any bad guy from any Space Center mission to Darth Vader, who would it be?

---Dr. Marcus from Supernova, he's big and bad and soft and caring in the end.
          I agree. 

If Mr. Williamson were to come on a Space Center mission in a ship besides the Voyager, what mission would you fly?

---Red Storm Rising in the Magellan or Currahee in the Phoenix. Red Storm is political and Currahee is very basic, yet very complicated.
         Good question.  I think I'd go for Red Storm Rising in the Magellan. 

Which Space Center Mission could be written into the best book/short story?

---Mercy Strike, very cool, somewhat complicated and very interesting

         I'd go for The Children of Perikoi.  I was writing the continuation of Perikoi on this blog.  It kind of got away from me.  Maybe I should finish it now that I have a bit of extra time on my hands. 

If Mr. Williamson flew another ship besides the Voyager what ship would it be and why?

---.......I don't really know :)
         I'd go for the Phoenix.  I'd like to Flight Direct a ship where I could see everyone at one camera glance.  

Which Disney movie, if properly translated into our universe, would make the best Space Center mission?

---Lion King! We already have one! Heir to the Empire!
        Hummmm.  A good question.  I'd like the challenge of converting Mary Poppins into a Space Center mission.  I'd call that the Ultimate Challenge!  Any takers?  

Its time to put on your sneakers and take a walk with me through Wonderland's Imaginarium.

 Imagination Award for best toddler Halloween Costume

This sign gets an A for advertising.

Great imagination.
I'd stop there and eat, meaning it did its job.

An imaginative approach to decorating your Halloween pumpkins.

Another great Halloween costume

Scary and imaginative with very little out of pocket costs.

I don't get it and I don't want to try.

Question.  "What would happen to the Imaginarium if the Space Center were to close?"

The Imaginarium, 5 years after the Space Center's closing.....

 

I'd sell a million of these if I could find a way to get them manufactured.

Imagination.  A

What happens when a human gets involved.

At your local ice cream shop.

Creativity.  A

A family that Zombies together, stays together.

My mother's menu the whole time I was growing up.

"They" are always watching.

Beware of big government and bloated bureaucrats.

The scariest house on the street!

Brilliant!

I'm the national office's recruiting manager.  Contact me for membership information

There's a mind bender!

The Halloween decorations at the Nearly There Retirement Home

A bit too imaginative.  Very true to life, wouldn't you agree?

Here, take my money!!!  Get me one of these.

If I had the chance to change one thing on planet Earth with a wave of a magic wand.

I'm on board with this.

Have a Great Halloween Week!  Now go have some fun.

Mr. W. 

Thank you, Thank you and Did I Say Thank You?

Members of the Center's Programming Guild

Hello Troops,

The comments to this Blog have been pouring in.  I'm humbled by the gratitude being shown to myself, the staff and the thousands of volunteers who have worked at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center.  Teachers call comments like these "Special Pay Days".  Its the extra 'pay', tucked away in our hearts, that reminds us we are making a difference.  You become a teacher to make the world a better place, one student at a time.   

I've always regarded the Space Center as my gift to the teachers and children of the Alpine School District and Utah. In 1989 I was half way through a BYU masters degree when the first round of grant money was approved for the building of this unique Space Center.  I realized I couldn't imagineer this one of a kind experience, teach my 6th grade class at Central School AND continue my master's degree program and remain sane and healthy.  Something had to go.  I chose to abandon my degree and give up my goal of becoming a principal to focus on creating this Space Center and making it the best it could be.  I know I made the right decision, even though having that master's degree would have made a huge difference in my pay over the last two decades.  Remember, all dreams require sacrifice.

Thousands of you joined me over the years as volunteers and staff, giving your time and talents to make what most people who come to the Space Center say is "The Best Field Trip in the State!"

"Mr Williamson, what happens to us now?  What happens to all our work?" a volunteer asked in an email.

The school district has released the following statement.   

The plan is to expand on the remarkable legacy of the Space Center as we learn from the past and look to the future..... The committee will be discussing all possibilities about both the location of the center, as well as the curriculum. There are no plans to discontinue the use of the simulators as part of the Space Center Program. The committee will have discussions about ways to add to the current curriculum.

The decision to close the Space Center was correct, there is no question.  Spending that amount of money to renovate the Center wouldn't be a responsible use of taxpayer's dollars.  I know it hurts to see the old place go, but it was necessary.  

The future now rests with this committee and the proposals it will make to the school board.  I am a member of the committee.  I will work to ensure the very best of what the Space Center was will continue into the future, whatever it may hold.  

I want to again thank all of your for your continued support of this, the Second Happiest Place On Earth!  (remember, we always bow and proudly take second chair to the holiest of holy places - Disneyland).

Simply,
Mr. Williamson

P.S.  I'm working on plans for a final birthday party for the Space Center on November 8th.  It will be an opportunity for everyone to come and bid farewell to your favorite ships, sit in the captain's chairs for one last photo and relive great memories with your friends and family.  Keep checking back for news.
 

   Remembrances of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center

Troops,
I'd like to take a moment and share just a few of the emails people have sent me over the last few days.  
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Mr.  W. 



Mr. Williamson,

I wrote this to help me and other space center fans/staff/volunteers remember the space center so it will never be forgotten.
Every night I take a walk, through a place I love: far away. I close my eyes and in my mind I see somewhere I yearn to stay, something that's a part of me. I wander through the empty halls, willing memories to reappear. Sometimes the halls are foggy and blurred by time. But mostly they are clear and I walk as I would normally do. My thoughts go from place to place as I go along, remembering the things that make this place special. I journey through every space I've ever been to, every ship, every room, ever moment, stopping at the doors I entered. The doors that took me away. My heart wants to go to the reality of this place, but it can not. "Someday again." I whisper as I push against the door and open my eyes, back to the real world. I will never forget and never stop remembering. For every night I take a walk through the stars, surrounded by the laughter, the screams, the voices: all echoes of the place I will always know and love.



Mr. Williamson

Oh, no. This breaks my heart. I have loved going to the Space Center, and I've watched my brother go there time after time. He loves it. This is one of the few places where he has been able to express himself and find people who understand him. He really feels at home at the Space Center. It has given him a wonderful opportunity to grow, learn, and have fun. Where else can we find anything like this?
My brother's dream was to become a volunteer, but he had to finish his Eagle Scout Project first. You don't know how hard he's worked to finish it, looking forward to the day he could apply to be a volunteer. He won't let me see him cry, but I know that's what he's doing right now. Please. There has to be some way to preserve this amazing place. So many of us are counting on it.

 Mr. Williamson

I wish to express my greatest appreciation for the Space Center and what it has contributed to my life. Without the space center I would simply not be anywhere near where I am today. I would no nothing of programming, and would have spent this summer so extremely bored at home all day. Instead I was able to get a job programming at a tax software company. I simply owe all my skills and my professional career to the Space Center.  One of the greatest things that drew me to the Space Center was, Space.  Space Exploration has brought on many technological advances, and there is a still a deep love shared by many people for Space. Lastly I would love to have a final staff party.

Mr.Williamson

Oh my what a shame. I used to volunteer here about 4 years ago. I didn't have hardly any friends, but when I worked at the space center I did. It was a place of refuge for me. Im 16 now and go to PG Hkgh. I have a lot of friends now and everything's fine, but I thank Mr. Williamson and others for their hard work and kindness. This was more than just a "space center" for me. Thank you for your dedication and hard work, Mr. Williamson.

Mr. Williamson

I think I speak for everyone who has ever been to the Space Center when I say that we all want to do anything that we can to help save this place. The Space center has changed who I am, how I see the world, and gave me a fascination with the universe. No common core center could ever do that. I understand that the amount of control we have on this isn't very much, but I would give up anything and work for as long and hard as I needed to to raise the money, spread awareness, and keep the space center alive. This place affected the lives of so many people and brought a real sense of community, friendship, and created a family. I understand, that in its current state, the law doesn't permit it to remain open. I understand that we can't keep everything the exact same. But I also know that I won't something this unique and special and rare be slowly forgotten.


Mr. Williamson

Please. NO. Someone pinch me.  I am sitting in my room and my heart has stopped. I am crying so hard that the front of my shirt and my math homework is soaked with tears. I am with everyone of you. I was about to become a volunteer just as the center closed down.This place CHANGES LIVES. That's why working here was MY DREAM. I wanted others to feel the way that I do.  The Space Center can't close. Way too much is on the line. We aren't talking just the Space Center. We are talking about thousands of people..........
LONG LIVE THE DIRECTOR!!!!
LONG LIVE THE SPACE CENTER FOREVER MORE!!!


Mr. Williamson

I seriously started bawling my eyes out when I read this. Well first I screamed.... Part of my heart feels empty now... My brain hasn't registered this fully yet...still in shock...
I'm saying this because it's something I've learned dim the space center "if you dream it.., it can happen with hard work!" we need to do something..


Mr. Williamson

The space center gave me the most wonderful memories!! I will never forget the day I went on my first mission, it was the funniest ever! And then I went 6 more times. This place had given me so many amazing memories, I'm in tears right now. I do not want it to shut down, I love the space center, it's like my second home, and to hear that's it being shut down breaks my heart..... The space center is a magical place where you get to leave this world and explore new worlds, you get to fight pirates, aliens, etc. This place has helped me learn more then any math or science class you can teach..... I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that kids can experience what I got to experience.


Mr. Williamson

I had to go to an orchestra concert right after I found out... It wasn't my best performance, but I told a few people, and by the end of the night, people were asking where to put their signatures for a petition! And Baxter, sort of the same thing has happened with me. Before I came to the Space Center, I HATED science. Then I went, and I developed a passion. That was in fifth grade, and it lead me to win second at the BYU science fair. I went again last year several times, and it ignited my love even more. Had it not been for the Space Center, the Alpine School District's Science reputation would've been decreased. I was a national semi-finalist this year, and I know a boy who qualified and applied. Both of us loved science because of this place. We NEED to save the Space Center!!!

The Crew of the Phoenix