Posts from the Space Center's First Blog, Spaceedventures.

Do you know how blessed you are?

Appreciate your educational opportunities.

 Hello Troops,
The Troubadour starts the week with a few posts from the Center's previous blog "Spaceedventures".  Spaceedventures started in March 2000 and was discontinued when The Troubadour took its place.

Spaceedventures stores hundreds of old posts and articles, many of which are interesting to read and archive from a Space Center historical viewpoint.  I'm slowing working my way through the old blog's posts and moving them to The Troubadour for save keeping until a more permanent history of the Space Center is written some time in the future.

Mr. Williamson 

 June 2, 2000

Hello Voyagers!
I recently received this email. I thought you may like to read it.  Its good to know that what we do makes a difference.  Sit back, read, and pat yourselves on the back.


Mr. W.

And now Ashley's letter:

Ashley Wright sent the following...

I recently atended your over-night camp on the 19 & 20th of this month. It was the best thing I have ever done. I was admiral of the Magellan space station. Being an admiral was not an easy job.  But it taught me a lot of responsibilities. 

I talked face to face with an alien that I had to have a translator in order to talk to
him. We made a date with Captain Jose & our communications officer in trade for some coolent. Another time we even traded 2 pairs of Nike shoes for coolent. 

I would suggest this camp to all of my friends.  I would like to bring a cousin of mine to your 3 day summer camp. I have found out that your summer camps this year are already full.  If you could, please send all the information you have on your summer camps. I am going to work really hard this summer in order to have some money to attend next years summer camp. Please include the price for those 3 day camps. 

I hope to hear from your camp very soon. Again I would like to say, I think it is the most wonderfull & the most exciting thing I have ever done. I will recomend this program to all of my friends!

December 27, 2000


Bill Neville was a blue shirt supervisor in the late 1990's.  He graduated and left the Space Center for college. 

December 27, 2000

Vic -

Well, after a delinquent absence, I figured that it's probably about time to give you an update on my life.

I ended up graduating from Rowland Hall a year early and enrolled at
Davidson College in North Carolina. It's a fantastic liberal arts college, though I seem more and more to be operating under the assumption that it is a conservatory theatre program. While this isn't true (our department has three profs and only four majors a year), the faculty is outstanding and the level of passion that everyone brings to classes, productions, and extracarriculars is truly mind blowing. 

It's hard to imagine that I'm already halfway through my sophomore year - 2.5 years until the real world, right? Or at least Grad school... But it has been a blast and a blur. Living 24 hours a day with some of the most intellectually challenging, intelligent, dedicated people I've ever met has proven to be more fun than I could have imagined. I've found myself drowning (and loving it) in Shakespearean lit theory and in all aspects of theatre, and it looks like I'm heading for a career directing professionally. I'm also loving set and lighting design more and more, but I've found a passion for directing that I could not previously have imagined.

It's been a great, wild few years, and I credit my time working with you at the Space Center with helping me find my own drive and vision, and especially with overcoming my fear of leadership. I ran into a friend from high school who mentioned that a RHSM crowd was coming down
sometime over break. The craziness never really seems to end, does it?

I hope that all is well with you, and that you're taking some occasional time off from your overwhelming dedication to the kids you encounter each day.

If you get the chance to drop me a note, I'd love to get caught up on
everything happening your way. Merry Christmas, and I hope I can make it down sometime soon to see how everything is going in gand ol'
Pleasant Grove...

All That Jazz,
Bill Neville

And something from a news update posted at the end of the year.

December 28, 2000

Hello Troops!
I want to take a minute to update you on Christmas developments at the
Center.

1. The Magellan is getting a much needed face lift.
2. The Galileo is up on blocks! Yesterday Kyle Herring and Principal Adams hoisted the Galileo up and placed it on blocks so the wheel base
could be replaced and the wheels repaired.
3. The Galileo is getting new computer programs. Brian Hawkins, our
hypercard programmer and a member of our education staff (Programming Classes) is getting the Galileo ready for the
Oceanography Super Saturdays coming up in January.
4. The Odyssey is getting its submarine programs updated also getting
ready for the Oceanography Super Saturdays.
5. Mr. Daymont is preparing the Falcon for its switchover to become a
simulator. It's new stories will match the rest of our ship's for fun and excitiment - full EdVentures on the Falcon are coming!
6. Soren Seibach, our assistant Hypercard Programmer, is working
to finish the Magellan's new computer controls. Due date is Jan.
2nd.
7. Final touches are being put on the Discovery by Kyle Herring and
Dan Adams. As many of you know, the Discovery is the Magellan's
Briefing room and science center for Central Elementary.
8. The Voyager is having its computers cleaned and black plastic
cleaned.
9. The Odyssey is going to get a new entrance. The Center recently
received a donation of a new revolving door just like the one on the stage to enter the Voyager. The new door will be placed on the outside of the Odyssey to assist with the "transition" from the real world to the world of make believe.

As you can see, the Space Center never sleeps. A special thanks to all
our staff for the extreme dedication it takes to keep our sets up and
running. I am amazed at the level of volunteerism and dedication our
flight directors and volunteers display. Thanks to all for being a
part of our team and making the Center one of the world's most unique
learning Centers.

Mr. Williamson

Space Center News Update. Answers to Your Questions. The Imaginarium.

First.  I've not been receiving all the emails sent to me using the Director@spacecamputah.org  email address.  Most of them bypassed my computer completely and disappeared into the abyss of space.  Please resend all emails intended for me within the last month to my secondary email address

Spacecamputah@gmail.com

And please use this as my new email address for future emails.

Mr. Williamson

Hello Troops,

The Space Center Committee met last Thursday.  The meeting was held at Central School.  Jodee Sundburg and Mark Clement, two members of the Alpine School District's Board of Education, were in attendance along with Jeanne Bates, Vicki Carter and myself.   Our first task was to select other members of the committee from a long list of people who had expressed an interest in joining.  We all agreed the committee needed to be representative of our entire District.  I'm very pleased with the result.  This advisory committee will consist of parents, teachers, principals, administrators, students and members of the school board.  

I want to thank everyone who put their name forward to participate in this process of guaranteeing the future of this one of a kind, grass roots endeavour, started 22 years ago at this small elementary school in Pleasant Grove.   We have many challenges ahead of us as we look to the future and envision a new Space Center large enough to handle our District's explosive growth. Funding will be a challenge, but the dedication and determination expressed by everyone in the meeting made me feel confident that we can and will build an outstanding, 21st century educational center.  We will continue the original Space Center's tradition of being the best field trip in the State.

Goals and Objectives

Writing as the Director of the Space Center, I'd like to share my wish list for the Space Center's immediate future.  I'll present these items to the committee for discussion.  Remember, there is give and take in all discussions.  We may get some of these, none of these, or all of these.  The committee will make recommendations for the Board's final decision.

1. I'd like to see the Magellan, Galileo and Phoenix repaired and opened as soon as possible. 
2. I'd like to see our volunteers back to work.
3. I'd like to see our computer programming guild programming for the new Space Center.
4. I'd like to start our evening class programs in astronomy, aviation, geology, nuclear science and space exploration.

These objectives will keep the Center operational during this transition from old to new.  Thank you all for your continued support.

Your Questions     

Many of you have sent questions through email and through the comments section of the blog.  I'd like to take a minute and answer those questions.

Keaton F. said...
What happened at the committee meeting?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Please tell me progress is being made!

Keaton, thank you for the question.  Yes, progress was made.  Please refer to the information at the start of this post and thanks for reading and for your support!

Anonymous said...
If the District is going to filter the blog Vic should just start emailing us or using the space center staff website to keep us informed! Freedom of speech! LONG LIVE THE SPACE CENTER!

Anonymous, Thank you for the comment. The Troubadour is not censored or filtered. I'm not being told what I can and cannot write. 

I know many of you are frustrated by the lack of constant updated information.  You may perceive this delay as censoring when it isn't.  Sometimes there is no news.  

Rome wasn't built in a day.  Working out the future of the Space Center will take time. You will be updated as soon as there is news to share.

Anonymous said...
What ever happend to I-worlds??? Its a little off subject, but they kinda just vanished.

The iWorlds ship Valiant was housed at Thanksgiving Point two summers ago.  From there it moved to Park City High School.  It was there from last November to May.  It currently sits in storage in Provo.  

The CEO of iWorlds is serving as an LDS mission president in Cambodia.  

I'm working with Wes and Cindy Smith on finding a new home for the Valiant simulator.  There are a few interesting prospects.  I'll keep you informed as they develop.  Perhaps we will have the Valiant up and running soon at a location near you

Isaac O. said... What will happen to the blog, when the center closes are you going to stop doing posts too? I hope not, I turn to this so that i die of bordom =P

Thank you Isaac for the compliment.  The Space Center is not closed.  Our operations are temporarily suspended.  We are working to get part of the Center up and running again as we make plans for a future Space Center.  
The Troubadour will continue.  It is the online home for friends of the Space Center.  It will continue as long as the Center has fans.  Thanks for being one of them.  I appreciate your support!      

Friends, please submit your questions through the comments section located at the bottom of each blog post.  I'll respond to all of them.

The Space Center's 22nd Anniversary

Twenty two years ago the Space Center opened its doors to the public.  It was a one of a kind facility designed to take students where no man has gone before.

Many people know the back story to the Space Center, some don't.  It all started during the 1982/83 school year. A secretary in the elementary education department at BYU mixed up my student teaching assignment.  I was suppose to go to Springville.  I suppose you can say it was a fateful mistake.

"I can send you to a sixth grade at Central Elementary School in Pleasant Grove," the secretary said apologetically.  She knew I had already been offered the position in Springville. She knew she blew it by sending someone else there instead.  

"Where's Pleasant Grove?" I asked.  She explained it was north of Orem.  I took the assignment. After all, one school was as good as any other.

I wasn't impressed with Central Elementary's appearance when I arrived for my first day of student teaching.  The school looked old and dingy.  The hallways were dark, the office was the size of a postage stamp and the secretary appeared frazzled.

"Mr. Thompson is in room 19," she said curtly.  "It's down the hall and to your left."

Mr. Thompson was my cooperative teacher.  He was three years older than me and "the cool" teacher in the sixth grade.  I sat at the back of his room and watched him teach.  I was most interested in his classroom management.  He used assertive discipline.  He was friendly, outgoing and warm toward his students.

As the days passed, he turned more and more of the curriculum over to me.  He sat in the back, watched and offered advice.

"Victor, you've got the next science unit on space," he said one day in April 1983.  Those were the fateful words that started me on the road to creating the Space Center we have today.

(to be continued).

The Imginarium

Wow, this post is pretty long.
Let's take a break and enjoy some time in the Imaginarium.  

You're asking why you never thought of it.

Ouch, this is just like the problems I help kids with every day.

I hated word problems like this when I was a student and 

I still don't like them very much.

There, now use this information as you dream up your next

time travel story ideas for the simulators. 

Anyone have a few cuddly kittens I can bring to my next

Space Center Committee meeting?

The coolest looking flag in the world.

Bet you didn't know it was the combined flag of England, 

Scotland and Ireland, did you?

What happens with the copy machine sneezes.

Imagination: A

Creativity: A+

This is what you call "Creative Parenting".

"Would you like fries with that?" taken to the extreme.

This comes from France.  Do the Europeans really believe Americans

would eat something this disgusting?

Complete with crackling sound.

Creativity: A

Look how fast technology has changed the world.

Imagine what the next 20 years will bring.

A stenciling project for the sidewalks in your neighborhood

or better yet, near your church  :)

Imagination: A

An unruly demonstration in Canada.

Another A for creativity.

I'd be tempted but I'm guessing it wouldn't be too good in the wind.

At least it would roll nicely in an accident.

All wrapped up in that little think in your pocket.

A library counter made of books.

Imagination: A

A Perfect Way to End this Post.

Dragon Baby

KidZania. A Mecca for Simulations and Role Playing. This is the Future.

Hello Troops,

I found something unique and fascinating as I searched for organizations that use role playing and simulations in education.


 This is the KidZania experience. Kids come in, take careful instructions from their corporate bosses and then work in the pursuit of KidZos, which they put away in bank accounts so that they can come back and earn even more by putting in additional days of pretend work. Add in a Dilbert calendar and a mini-golfing bag and you’ve got yourself one great simulacra of the modern working experience. Currently, KidZania has locations in eight cities around the world including Tokyo, Dubai and Mexico City, with franchises planned for China, Brazil, Egypt and other countries. 

http://www.kidzania.com  

KidZania provides children and their parents a safe, unique, and very realistic educational environment that allows kids between the ages of four to twelve to do what comes naturally to them: role-playing by mimicking traditionally adult activities. As in the real world, children perform "jobs" and are either paid for their work (as a fireman, doctor, police officer, journalist, shopkeeper, etc.) or pay to shop or to be entertained. The indoor theme park is a city built to scale for children, complete with buildings, paved streets, vehicles, a functioning economy, and recognizable destinations in the form of "establishments" sponsored and branded by leading multi-national and local brands. Personal experience is a powerful learning tool. Through each job and activity, kids learn about how society functions, financial literacy, adult professions, team work, independence, self-esteem and real-life skills. Activities are completely hands-on to provide the most contextual and engaging learning experience.

From police officer to dentist and restaurateur, each KidZania offers NEARLY 100 role-playing activities in more than 60 establishments with a range of difficulty to meet the abilities and interests of every child. Kids work to earn kidZos, KidZania's own currency, so they can pay for goods and services in the KidZania city. Pilots navigate airplanes, television anchors read the news, police officers perform detective work and chefs cook up tasty food. KidZania is a complete city with a hospital, fire station, beauty salon, bank, radio station, supermarket, television station, pizzeria, theater, and much more. At two-thirds their actual size, all facilities are designed to be 'just right' for children. Getting started is simple: kids pick an occupation, learn about their job, don a uniform, and start EARNING AND SPENDING KIDZOS...and having fun!

"Zupervisors" are on hand to introduce AND provide support for each activity. Zupervisors are trained adults who guide and help kids accomplish their tasks as they work and play. KidZania's attention to professionalism and training has earned it the highest level of trust among parents, educators and community leaders as a facility where kids can have fun, exert their independence and be safe.

Role-playing is a universal form of play enjoyed by children all OVER THE WORLD. Role-playing is fun – and has very positive educational, psychological and motivational benefits. Psychologists, educators and play experts are extensively consulted during the development of every KidZania location to ensure our curriculum content matches school areas of focus: creativity, critical thinking, communication, confidence, and collaboration.

By blending reality with entertainment, KidZania provides an authentic and powerful developmental experience, preparing kids to understand and manage their world. Kids acquire real-life skills, learn about working and having a career and are introduced to the fundamentals of financial literacy. While children are having fun at KidZania, they are also learning socialization skills, mutual cooperation and respect. Their creativity shines, they learn independence, develop decision-making skills and participate with their community – all skills that they will need to succeed as adults.

This short article is worth a quick read.

http://utopianist.com/2011/04/kidzania-entertainment-centers-train-tiny-generation-of-corporate-strivers/

How about a KidZania right here in Utah County?  All we needs is a measly  $20,000,000.



Wouldn't our Space Center fit right in with KidZania's concept?  Imagine a few of our starship simulators in each location.  Kids would be lined up and salivating profusily to get in and soar to the very furthest reaches of the known universe.

 A Field Trip Enjoying Our Voyager Simulator Experience

The Future of Education

In my opinion, the Space Center's concept of mixing play with education in a simulated environment is the future of education.  KidZania is just one more example of the concept in action worldwide.

Feel free to comment in the comment's section or email me (director@spacecamputah.org).  I'd like to hear what you have to say.

Mr. Williamson