Posts from the Past: September 2001. The New Magellan Control Room. New Odyssey Controls. Stacy Carrell and Casey Voeks Impatiently Wait to Become Volunteers. Supernova Returns. Falcon Switches to Macs! The Staff React to the September 11 Attacks. The Imaginarium.

Hello Troops,
Saturday reposts from the Space Center's first blog / Internet group have turned into regular thing.  Today I'm posting items from the SpaceEdVentures YahooGroup from September 2001.  This post includes staff and volunteer reaction to the 9/11 attack on America.  

Thank you,
Mr. Williamson

The Old Magellan Control Room.  Josh Babb (green shirt) is sitting at the second chair position. The second chair faced the flight director. It was quite awkward.  The entrance to the Magellan Control Room back then was through the Magellan bridge itself. Yes, very inconvenient.  

Post from the Past.  Getting the Field Trips Ready to Go. Magellan to Get a Control Room Redesign. The Odyssey Switches to the New Merrell Controls. Magellan to Open as the School's Computer Lab. Dave Daymont Hired to be a Tech. Chris Call Wants to Come Back! 

September 2, 2001

Hello Troops,
This has been a very slow week. There have been a few private missions but that is it. No overnight mission either. 

We are devoting our energy into putting our daytime field trip program into place. Mr. Daymont is preparing the online mission curriculum (crew briefing, worksheets, etc.) Mrs Remy is preparing the online science curriculum on supernova. I spent the week helping get the school year off to a successful start for Central Elementary. The first part of the week was spent working in the cafeteria serving lunch to the kids. I'm also helping our new principal as much as I can as he makes a difficult transition. 

The old Magellan Control Room Door on the right of the big tactical screen.

Kyle Herring is preparing the plans and bids for the expansion of the Magellan control room. Once we have all the facts and figures I'll take them to the principal for the final go ahead.

The USS Odyssey's lower and back deck.

Tomorrow is the training for Odyssey flight directors. This is the time when we make the switch over from the old Odyssey controls to the new ones David Merrell created. Our mission on Saturday was the last Odyssey mission using the old controls. The Center is always moving ahead. 

I spent a good part of my work day getting the volunteering schedule prepared. I'm hoping all volunteers received at least 2 missions. 


The Magellan will open on Tuesday as the school's computer lab. 

Mr. Schuler works at the Space Center and for the District as an site tech. Mr. Daymont's brother, Dave Daymont, was just hired this school year as a tech. 

David Merrell and Chris Call

I spoke to Chris Call's mother last week and asked her to email Chris to see if he had an interest in coming back to the Center to work once he returns from his LDS Mission in the Philippines in October. She called me Tuesday and told me that Chris was interested and wanted a place held for him. Chris will help us during the school day and then run private Odyssey missions after school. I was excited to hear Chris wanted to return. Chris does an excellent job in the Odyssey. He was the first flight director to run the Odyssey all alone for private missions. You should see him work!

I really enjoyed my Friday off. I went to watch the Pleasant Grove football game against American Fork. Ouch...... P.G. lost. Josh Webb plays on the varsity P.G. team. He is number 10. I saw a few of our volunteers at the game. On Saturday morning I watched the 9th grade P.G. team play Lone Peak. My nephew Chaz plays for P.G. They lost. Oh well..........

I'd like to read posts on your first week back to school. What are your opinions of your classes and teachers? What are your impressions about your school? Any interesting stories? I'm glad we had 2 postings on the subject so far.

Have a Good Week!
Mr. Williamson

Staffing for the September 7th Overnight Mission

September 7: Friday (Overnight Mission)
Staff arrive at 6:15 P.M.
1. Galileo: Matt L.
2. Falcon 2nd: James P.
3. Falcon Dr: Brandon C. 
4. Odyssey 2nd: Metta S.
5. Odyssey Dr: Julie C.
6. Magellan Supervisor: Randy J.
7. Magellan 2nd: Charlie H.
8. Magellan Bridge: Rio D.
9. Magellan Video: Dustin R. 
10. Magellan Dr: Wesley M.
11. Magellan/Voyager Actor: Ben H.
12. Magellan/Voyager Actor: Daniel S. 
13. Voyager Supervisor: Brady Y.
14. Voyager Bridge: Scott S.
15. Voyager 2FX: Corey M.
16. Voyager Doctor: Richard O. 

Stacy Carrell's First Post. She Introduces Herself as a Waiting Volunteer and Talks About Eating Crickets

September 3, 2001

Have any of you ever had chocolate-covered crickets? I have. I got them at Cold Stone Creamery. They were having a Survivor Challenge; if you ate two of them, you got a coupon for a free regular ice cream and a sticker. I ate three.

Stacy Carrell as a Flight and Set Director

Now before all of you say, "That is so gross," let me just say that chocolate-covered crickets don't taste that bad. They taste kind of like crispy M&M's. (WARNING!!! The next sentence may gross you out.) The only downside is after you eat them, there are little bits of legs and stuff all around your mouth and you have to get a drink of water and swish it around to get them out.

Sorry if I have grossed any of you out. By the way, a lot of you probably don't know who I am. My name is Stacy Carrell; I'm a waiting volunteer. I'm a sophomore Lehi High.

Stacy Carrell

Supernova Returns to the Voyager Mission Library After a Four Year Absence.  The Staff to Run It as a Level 3 Mission. 

September 5, 2001

Hello Troops!

The 4H clubs have booked 24 spots for this weekend. I've decided that the Magellan, Galileo, and Odyssey will run. The Falcon will be closed. The Voyager will run a level three, 3 hour trial run of our new story "Supernova". 

The following people who were going to work Falcon and Voyager will instead come in on Friday to do the level 3 trial run. The mission will end at 10:30 P.M. You may all go home then. 

. Falcon 2nd: James P.
. Falcon Dr: Brandon C.
. Voyager Supervisor: Brady Y.
. Voyager Bridge: Scott S.
. Voyager 2FX: Corey M.
. Voyager Doctor: Richard O.

ATTENTION TO ALL STAFF, VOYAGERS AND PIONEERS NOT WORKING THIS 
OVERNIGHT MISSION:

Those of you that have never had the chance to come in and do a level 3 mission are welcome to apply to come and do this trial run on Friday. Remember, you must not have done the Supernova mission. It was our school year story 4 years ago. Also, you should not apply for this mission if you are a 5th or 6th grader and coming with your school to the Space Center this school year. You will do this mission with your school. I'll take 12 people. Selection will be based on points. 

If selected, you will arrive at 7:00 P.M. with the overnight kids. You will be expected to train yourselves at your Voyager stations without tapes while I get the overnight mission started. At 7:30 P.M. you will be briefed on the mission. At 7:50 P.M. you will start. The mission will run to 10:30 P.M. Your parents must be at the school to pick you up at 10:30 P.M. You may not stay overnight. 

If interested please send me an email with your name, club, and current point standing (available from the egroup database). If I have a tie in points the tie will be broken by whomever has the most pass offs. YOU HAVE UNTIL THURSDAY: 4:00 P.M. TO SEND IN YOUR REQUEST FOR A POSITION. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS MISSION.

I'LL MAKE THE SELECTION AT 4:00 P.M. THURSDAY AND SEND OUT AN EMAIL TELLING THE GROUP WHO WAS SELECTED. 

Thank you troops,

Mr. Williamson

Mr. Daymont and the Falcon Crew on an Overnight Camp

The Falcon Switches to All Macs.  The PC's Are Gone!
September 6, 2001

Hello Brothers and Sisters,
The Falcon - our PC outcast 'sin'ulator is about to be baptized into the Kingdom of IMac! Praise be and a shout of Joy throughout the land. For so long the Falcon has drifted in a state of darkness existing on old Macs and revised programming. Come Monday new Imacs will be descending from clouds on high to consign the existing computers to eternal d***nation. 

(Our PC brothers and sisters should stop reading this testament at this point or they face severe tribulation.) 

You sit and wonder how this miracle was accomplished without any money spent from the tithes of the Space Center? The answer, Brothers and Sisters, is simple. A switch. Our PC Tangent computers for new Imacs compliments of Alpine District Technology. They take the PCs and give us "Saved" imacs in all their glory. 

Do you hear the gasps of the 'PC'ers? I hear your thoughts. You accuse us of selling our soul to the devil. Nay.... I say Nay.....

As I type, the Falcon staff are preparing the PCs for purgatory. With cross in one hand and holy book (Macs for Dummies) in the other they are being driven forth.

Our long night is over friends. The clouds are parting. Monday brings a new day. The entire Center is cleansed - the PC cancer is gone. A healing has taken place. 

Mr. Williamson

Randy Jepperson and Stephen Porter

Randy Jepperson Has Issues With Stephen Porter
September 8, 2001

steven porter
aka
steven (makes fun of everyone) porter
steven (I am good at sleepin while supposed to be workin) porter
steven (make people quit for months cuz I dis on em) porter
steven ( I work for central so I am holier than thou) porter
steven (I wish I knew what I was doing) porter
steven (I tell Mr. Williamson) porter
steven (I sale pop to unsuspecting children while stealin there 
precious, hard earned money) porter
steven (eco problem I am better then james) portor
steven (I start the games I end all the games and all the fun) porter


randy jepperson
aka
randy (I don't have a name on my shirt) jepperson
randy (wanna be level 4) jepperson

Young Casey Voeks at the Space Center as a Camper

Casey Voeks Introduces Himself as a Waiting Volunteer. He is Tired of Waiting
September 8, 2001

I'm Casey Voeks I probably not known to any of you because I'm just a volunteer in waiting. HOW LONG MUST I WAIT TO WORK AT THE SC? PLEASE TELL ME HOW LONG YOU HAD TO WAIT.


CASEY VOEKS (WAITING VOLUNTEER)

P.S. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME

Space Center Journal.  The School Year Field Trip Program is Coming Along. New VCR's are Purchased. You Can't Run a Simulator Without a VCR. James Porter Steps In and Fills Kyle Herring's Shoes. How to Get Ahead as a Volunteer
September 9, 2001

Hello Troops,
Our school year program is coming together. Jennifer Remy is finishing the teacher's web site. Mark Daymont has finished the mission briefings. Bill Schuler is finishing the video tapes for the Voyager and Odyssey missions. David Merrell has finished the hypercard stacks. The lesson is ready. This is going to be a good school year program. All of them have taken what we do one step further. Everything is looking professional. 

The year is booked up. Almost all daytime programs are taken leaving only a few days in October. We have 1 open weekend for overnight missions. Schools have taken all other weekends. Our flyer is about to go to the printer advertising our classes and flights. We have some good classes we are offering this school year. 

Matt Long today

You read about the swap technology is making - our PC's for Imacs (if not the post was posted earlier this week). That will save the Center several thousands of dollars. The Falcon's programs were also improved and upgraded on Friday. Matt Long did a job that I thought would take several days and finished it in 1 overnighter. We also purchased new 
VCR's for the Falcon and Galileo. You can't run a ship without a VCR that gives you a clean pause. 

Overall it has been a slow off week for us. I enjoy August and September. The Center is pretty much closed, private missions are slow, overnights are kept small. This gives me and others a chance to recharge our batteries from a busy summer season. September 17th is the official opening of the Center for the school year season. We begin with Central's 6th graders. I'm currently looking for good staff in our 5th and 6th grades. 

I'm aware that those of you in the waiting volunteer pool are growing frustrated by the long wait. I've read your posts. There will be a few promotions coming up. Some of our Blue Shirts and Voyagers are only missing promotions points or station passes. We have great Pioneers also ready for a move to Voyagers. 

Many of you have noticed the apparent disappearance of Kyle Herring from the Center. He still is one of our flight directors but his attention has been diverted to his new company. It is exciting to hear of his accomplishments. I'll ask Kyle to post and tell you about it in an upcoming post. With Kyle busy getting his new company off the ground James Porter is taking over many of his responsibilities in the Galileo. James is doing a outstanding job. Thank you James.

Some of you have asked me what you can do to move ahead as a volunteer at the Center. Here are two points that may help:

1. Do your best to get your two missions a month. 
2. Make yourself noticed to me when you volunteer. Don't just sit back and say nothing -come in and say hello. Join in conversations. Always let me know your ideas and suggestions on improving our product.  Make sure you always take a minute to talk to me no matter what ship you are assigned to. Some of you are good about that. You come in to the briefing room and say hello. That gives me a chance to make a metal note that you are here. It also gives me a chance to get to know your name. No one has moved ahead at the Center without doing his or her best to show me what they could do. I'm always looking for the best. I'm always looking for the really motivated workers and I think you can see that I've found them. Look at our Green Shirts. Look at our Blue Shirts. These people stood out in the crowd. They made sure I knew them and what they could do for the Center.

Well Troops, I've got to close. "Band of Brothers," is about to start on HBO. Take care and I'll see some of you tomorrow on the Supernova mission..

Mr. Williamson

The September 11th Attacks. The First Postings to the YahooGroup

September 11, 2001

For those of you who haven't turned on the TV yet earlier this morning A plane hit one of the world trade center towers. Later anothe rone hit the other tower AND THEY BOTH COLLAPSED!!! AND SO FAR ONE PLANE HIT THE HELIPORT OUTSIDE THE PENTAGON AND ONE HIT ANOTHER HELIPORT OUTSIDE OF PITTSBURGH!!!!! THEY SAY BEN LAUDIN IS BEHIND THIS.

And From Another Volunteer

Hey guys. I just thought I'd say this about the attack on america.

My whole family except for my sisters and parents live in New York. My Uncle, works or used to work at the World Trade Center. Luckily, the night before, he had been on business in Washington D.C. and hadn't gotten back until about midnight the night before the attack. He wasn't going to go to work today. He works on the 70th floor of the 2nd tower that was hit. He was talking to his boss on the phone and suddenly, his boss started screaming and others in the background were screaming. The phone line went
dead. Everyone in his department was killed except for him because he wasn't there. His boss was killed almost instantly after the line went dead. Imagine, talking to someone on the telephone and then you see a airplane flying right towards your window. It's hard to think about it.

-Corey

And From Another Volunteer

I don't know what to think.... 

Could we go to WW3?
Could I go to war?
Could I die?
Could this country fall to pieces?
Could this world fall apart?

I don't know.... I wish I knew... I have a bad feeling about all of 
this...

Josh Dye

And From Another Volunteer

I just had a bad feeling!, what if that was just a diversion! somewhere else some country is going to hit hard! 
Bridger out

And From Another Volunteer

I'm not sure what to say about what went on today... I'm still trying to force myself to think it wasn't a clip from some movie. This morning I woke up and turned on the TV, and suddenly I saw a jet fly right into one of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. It just doesn't seem real.

- Mitch Comfort

And From Another Volunteer

The terrorist crisis today was so weird. It affected me mentally, but physically I'm just fine. It is seriously scaring me. My world in which I was safe in is no longer. Yesterday I was so happy and didn't care beans what some billionaire is Afghanistan was doing, but today my view of the world shifted. I know America will come out better and stronger because of this, but, oh, how I wish it was yesterday. 
Ellen M.

And From Another Volunteer

This World Trade Center bombing has affected us all. The entire world has feelings about it. Remember, life goes on. What happens in the upcoming days may be interesting, tragic, and maybe even a little scary. But please understand this, what happens for the rest of our lives will happen. 

I am not one to be courageous. I don't' know what has come over me. I don't feel scared like most I know, and I credit that on two people, Mr. Williamson and myself. Please, 
all of this thoughts that come out, all of these things you are saying, most of them are from you're imaginations. I know because I have a huge one. Anything that happens we can deal with. And please, do it logicly. Psychologists have said the best thing to do 
is to go on with life, and do. Second is to talk about it-with logic. All of these horror stories everyone is thinking up are only going to make us more scared. I am sorry if I have hurt any of your feelings, but this is truth.

And From Another Volunteer

September 11, 2001,
This is a day that hopefully all of us will remember for the rest of our lives. More people died within around 10 hours than in all of Pearl Harbor. I was really shocked when this happened. My dad goes to New York a lot for business and I am very thankful that he wasn't there yesterday. 

I feel really bad for all of the people on the airplanes as well as all of the people in all three buildings. It never really hit me what happened until I got home from school. some 
of my friends thought that this was all really funny and I told them that I couldn't believe how insensitive they were being. If any of you saw the news reports about how the afghanistan were acting you probably feel feel the same way about them as I do. I hope we find out who would commit such a horrible crime like this and they receive their payback for all of the lives that they took.

Later,
jenn halversen

And From A Member of Staff

Ok, I think it is about time someone spoke intelligently about this, besides Corey. First of all you really need to take this more seriously or you are just asking to be punched in the face. DO NOT write, we're all gonna die, or anything like that. Next, get your facts straight, just because one of your friends at school told you something, they aren't always
correct. Next, I suggest that you all watch the news with your family and talk to your parents about it.  And last of all show some maturity.

-James Porter

Space Center Journal.  My Thoughts on the Attack

September 22, 2001

I got up early on September 11th. I woke up with heartburn. A common occurance if I don't take my medicine the day before. I shouldn't of eaten the salsa and chips. At that hour there isn't much to occupy one's time except for TV, books, or magazines. I reached for the latest issue of Time.

Around 7:00 ish I turned on the TV to listed to my morning show - "Today". It's my TV show simply to justify the hours I've spent standing in front of their windows in New York City waving like a fool like everyone else. What is it about a TV camera and the  knowledge that your antics are being broadcast nationwide?  Instead of Katie's familiar face shedding a bit of sunlight into the day I saw one of the World Trade Center's on fire. "What is this!" I thought. It wasn't long before I heard the reason from the anchor.

A plane had flown into the side of the building! The first thought I had was a small plane, out of control, piloted by a new inexperienced pilot or maybe a New York City sight seeing airplane that got too close. I picked up the phone and called members of my family that vacationed with me in New York City last July. I knew they would be interested. We were there at the World Trade Center for several hours in July eating lunch and buying Broadway tickets at the discount ticket brokers in the lobby of the south tower. 

I sat looking at the screen hoping to see the roof of the tower crowded with people waiting for helicopter rescue. No helicopters and no people. Then, coming into view from the right of the screen was another airplane. I jumped up and then an explosion. I remember shouting "No!" I knew that instant like millions of Americans that we had been attacked. Terrorists.How do you describe the feelings and emotions experienced when your brain and eyes are in conflict? My eyes see two towers in flames. My brain says that can't be. Things like this don't happen in the United States to two of our nation's most 
recognisable buildings. 

I rushed to school and sat with many other teachers in the Briefing Room. Eyes focused on the TV. The scene changed to Washington DC and another fire. The announcers debated whether it was the White House or Pentagon. Back to New York. Two Towers burning. People jumping. All I could do was sit or pace. One teacher came into the room unaware of what was happening. She looked up and saw the Towers and laughed at 
us. "I 'm working while all of you sit around and watch a movie!" she said. I told her it was real. She didn't believe me until she saw the expressions on everyone else's face. 

The first Tower collasped. The second Tower collasped. 

I was sick all day. I grew even more ill when I learned the jets were hijacked American planes. 

I'm troubled by images of fire and people. I'm haunted by pictures of people facing 100 stories or walls of flame and choosing their end by jumping - some holding hands. These 
images brought back memories carefully locked away of a June night in 1972 and a flood that killed over 200 people in a few hours. I had a choice to make. A jump from a roof or risk a 9 foot high torrent. 

Nothing we do at the Space Center compares to the events of that day. Nothing I say about our schedule, flights, or classes is important. 

Is their good that comes from such a tragedy? Yes. Horrible as it was, people have been shocked into remembering what is most important in life - Family, friends, and the good we do in life. 

None of them went to work that day thinking it would be their last. Their last sunrise. The last cup of coffee. The last hug and kiss goodbye. The last glimpse of sleeping children. The last joke at the water cooler. The last answered email. The last word spoken on a cell phone. All that is left of them is the good or bad left behind. 

Travel though life leaving happiness and joy in your wake. Leave with no regrets.

September 11, 2001
The sun set that day on a different world.

The Imaginarium

The Troubadour Celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary! Enjoy the Blog's First Posts. See Pictures from the Time. And of Course, the Sunday Theater Imaginarium

The Volunteers at play around my desk in the Briefing Room

The Voyager's Bridge. 2008

The Voyager's Bridge 2008

The Voyager's Decontamination Hallway 2008

The Voyager's Crew Quarters and Galley 2008 on Deck 2

The Voyager's Deck 2 Sick Bay 2008

A crew gets ready for launch on the USS Voyager

The Galileo in 2008

Taylor Thomas and volunteer flight directing the Galileo I

The Programmers at play around my desk in the Briefing Room

Megan Warner enjoying a quick Overnight Camp breakfast of donut, chocolate milk and Gogurt

The Odyssey's Chris Call preferred his hot chocolate over the breakfast I served on the Overnight Camps

An Overnight Camp Odyssey Crew

Bridger playing the role of Odyssey Doctor for Chris

Megan Warner at the Phoenix Helm flying an overnight camp

The Phoenix Crew with volunteer Doctor

The Phoenix Crew on an overnight mission

Mr. Daymont and the Magellan staff: Jordan F., Metta S.

Metta Smith and Wyatt Carlson

The Magellan crew thinking of solutions

The Staff at work interacting with the Magellan crew

Amber playing the Magellan Doctor

Can the Magellan crew figure a solution?

Well, there is always one way to solve a problem in the Magellan

Hello Fellow Troubadours,
Yes, this is the month our little blog celebrates its 10 year anniversary.  Ten years ago on February 8, 2008 I created The Troubadour to compliment my YahooGroup "SpaceEdVentures".  The Troubadour was originally titled "Voyagers Log"which is why it has that url you see in the address bar "Voyagerslog.blogspot.com".  I had intended to create an ongoing never ending story of life on the Starship Voyager in its never ending voyage to the stars.  The Troubadour's first post introduced the blog's first readers to the main character.  This is the first post from Sunday, February 10, 2008.

Life on the USS Voyager: An Officer's Journal Part 1

Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Space Center's first simulator was the Voyager. These articles are the journal entries of a member of the USS Voyager's crew set in the same time frame as our missions. I hope this story helps our staff and campers get a better understanding of our universe and ships.

Mr. Williamson

February 10, 2408     I woke up with a headache. Sometimes you sleep wrong - your head gets all twisted up pointing at 90 degrees to the rest of your body. You wake up, and for a brief moment all is well until you move your head to straighten it out and then POP! You know your next stop  is sick bay.      I sat up, "fifty percent lights" I said to the computer. The light levels increased to twilight. I stumbled into the shower. You learn quickly how to shower in 30 seconds on a starship. First you get wet all over, then turn the flow to pause, lather up, and rinse off. I air dried to save water by reducing the need for towels.      My breakfast consisted of crunchy yogurt and orange juice. I sat on my small Starfleet standard steel gray sofa and crunched away. The sofa faces the window. Stars streamed by leaving long bands of vibrant color in their wake. The Voyager was at warp. My guess was warp 4 by the length of the light streams. The gentle hum of the engines wrapped the ship in a soothing blanket of sound. I looked at the clock. 8:00 A.M. It was time to get moving. Another day was starting and my junior cadets would be waiting for their morning paces.     I got a few hellos and some funny looks from crewmen as I walked down Deck 5's hallway toward Sick Bay. There is something funny about a man walking with his head twisted to one side as if trying to carry on a conversation with his shoulder. 

The Voyager's Brig with the new glow in the dark carpet everyone hated (except me or I wouldn't have picked it out)

And that was that - the first post.  
I introduced "The Troubadour" to the Space Center's staff and volunteers through the YahooGroup on February 12, 2008 with this post:

Hello Troops,
The Troubadour, the Space Center's Newsletter / Journal is now kept online. You can visit it at the following link.
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/
It is also linked directly to the Space Center's News web link. The news section of our web site will now be the most updated part of the site. I'd like to keep it updated with stories (The Officer's Log of the USS Voyager), reviews of our missions, and of course news. Would you like to write something for The Troubadour? Remember, it must be written with the audience in mind. Anything on The Troubadour now is open to anyone to read, including our campers. As you write don't air your grips and don't write about the exact way we do things on the other side of the wall.
On the other hand, comments from staff and volunteers will make the Center more interesting to our campers. This is a way for them to learn some of the inside stories of the Center. This gives a feeling of understanding and with that loyalty. 
Best Wishes,Mr. Williamson 

The first official post related to Space Center business was posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008.  This post contained the first picture of staff and volunteers.  Congratulations to Stacy Carrell (now Stacy Harken)  for being the first to appear in "The Troubadour!" Congratulations to Spenser Dauwalder for being the first one to be mentioned as winner of the Director's Trophy.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2008

Overnight Camp Camper Satisfaction Inventory

Stacy Carrell briefing her overnight camp crew in the Briefing Room

Hello Troops:
Here are the results from the student survey taken by the campers at the end of the Overnight Camp of February 15-16, 2008. This camp was sponsored by the the students of Cherry Hill Elementary and our Frequent Flyers. There were 42 campers.

Our Flight Directors were:

Voyager: Bradyn L. (Shadows: 10 campers)
Phoenix: Megan Warner (Olympia: 6 campers)
Odyssey: BJ Warner (Outlaws: 7 campers)
Galileo: Spenser D. (Parameter: 5 campers)
Magellan: Brittney V. (Red Storm Rising: 14 campers)
_________________

The first question: Think about your story in the simulators. Were they fun? Did it have good characters? Did it challenge your brain or way too easy to solve?

Here are their choices:
A = 1
B = 2
C = 3
D = 4
F = 5
Here are the results. Remember, a 1 is a perfect score.
Voyager story's quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.70)
Galileo story's quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.60)
Magellan story's quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.20)
Odyssey story's quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.13)
Phoenix story's quality score: 1.33 (Last camp's score: 1.67)

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE VOYAGER, GALILEO, MAGELLAN AND ODYSSEY FOR TAKING TOP STORY HONORS.

__________________
The next question: How would you grade the Staff of the simulators? Think
about friendliness, helpfulness, and acting.

Voyager staff's quality score: 1.10 (Last camp's score: 1.20)
Galileo staff's quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.60)
Magellan staff's quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.00)
Odyssey staff's quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.13)
Phoenix staff's quality score: 1.50 (Last camp's score: 1.00)

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GALILEO, MAGELLAN, AND ODYSSEY FOR TAKING TOP STAFF HONORS.
____________________
The next question: How much did you enjoy your job in the simulators?
Choices: (1 = Great; 2 = Good; 3 = OK; 4 = Not So Good; 5 = Bad)

Voyager job's quality score: 1.50 (Last camp's score: 1.60)
Galileo job's quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.40)
Magellan job's quality score: 1.29 (Last camp's score: 1.40)
Odyssey job's quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.50)
Phoenix job's quality score: 1.67 (Last camp's score: 1.50)
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GALILEO AND ODYSSEY FOR TAKING TOP JOB HONORS.
____________________

The next question: Did you feel doing your job made a difference in the
mission?

The Camper's choices were: Yes(1) Maybe (2) No (3)

Voyager making a difference quality score: 1.30 (Last camp's score: 1.40)
Galileo making a difference quality score: 1.00 (Last camp's score: 1.20)
Magellan making a difference quality score: 1.21 (Last camp's score: 1.13)
Odyssey making a difference quality score: 1.14 (Last camp's score: 1.38)
Phoenix making a difference quality score: 1.17 (Last camp's score: 1.00)
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GALILEO FOR TAKING TOP HONORS IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
_____________________
The final question: Would you like to come back to the Space Center again for another mission?

The Camper's choices were: Yes (1) Maybe (2) No (3)
Yes: 100% (42 students)
Maybe: 0% (0 students)
No: 0% (0 students)

The Director's Trophy: Overall Scores averaged:

Voyager: 1.18 LAST WEEK'S SCORE: 1.38
Magellan: 1.10 LAST WEEK'S SCORE: 1.15
Odyssey: 1.03 LAST WEEK'S SCORE: 1.25
Galileo: 1.00 LAST WEEK'S SCORE: 1.36
Phoenix: 1.33 LAST WEEK'S SCORE: 1.23

Overall Average: 1.13 Last Week : 1.27

The GALILEO is awarded the Director's Trophy! Super Job Spenser D. and his staff of one - Corbin, a Central student.

SATISFACTION SCORES:

Our Satisfaction Scores for the Overnight Camp. Campers were asked the following question at the end of their survey.

1. How would you rate your overall experience for this overnight camp?

Their choices follow:

10 = The funnest thing I've ever done in my life.
9
8
7
6
5 = As Good as watching my Favorite Movie for the first time.
4
3
2
1 = The Most Horrible, Boring time I've ever had.

The students are asked to rate the overall camp experience on that scale. They are given verbal instructions on the rating system to insure comprehension.

Here are the results for today's overnight camp.

Voyager: This Week: 9.20 Last Week: 9.20
Galileo: This Week: 10 Last Week: 8.80
Phoenix: This Week: 9.67 Last Week: 8.00
Magellan: This Week: 9.29 Last Week: 9.80
Odyssey: This Week: 9.71 Last Week: 9.63

The GALILEO takes the Prize for Best Overall Score!

Overall Ranking by all campers for this Overnight Camp:
This Week's All Ship Average: 9.57 out of a perfect 10.
Last Week's All Ship Average: 9.09 out of a perfect 10
Thanks All for Another Great Overnight Camp!  Thanks for all you do to support the Space Center,Mr. Williamson 

The Voyager story that premiered on The Troubadour's opening post continued on Monday, February 18, 2008 with this story continuation of life aboard the Starship Voyager.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2008

Life on the USS Voyager: An Officer's Journal Part 2

The Space Center's first simulator was the Voyager. These articles are the journal entries of a member of the USS Voyager's crew set in the same time frame as our missions. I hope this story helps our staff and campers get a better understanding of our universe and ships.

Mr Williamson

February 10, 2408 (Continues)

     The Voyager’s sick bay sits at the end of a long, slowly turning hallway on Deck 5. From the starboard lift it can take a minute to reach at a brisk walk. I approached the automatic door in hopes of finding an empty waiting room. My anticipation turned quickly to disappointment. Every seat was full. I don’t want to exaggerate, every seat means all four of them but when you are in a hurry, four might as well be fifteen.
     I presented my thumbprint on the computer registrar. “Hello Commander Williamson,” the monitor said in a soothing female voice. Just the voice you’d want to hear if you were coughing up a lung. “You have been registered. Please be seated. Your estimated wait time is twelve minutes.”
     I thought about my next course of action. Twelve minutes wasn’t enough time to do something else but an eternity when your standing in a room full of the sick and near dead. My choice became clear when the computer monitor invited Ensign Jackson to step into the DC (Diagnostic Center). I took the empty chair and picked a place on the wall to stare. My super ego, trained by years of service in the fleet, reminded me of the work I could be doing on my Pad. I took it out and scrolled through my messages. It is amazing how easy it was to delete a message without reading it when your not feeling well. I put it away after discovering it was too uncomfortable to read with my head locked to one side. I went back to my passive examination of the spot on the wall.
     “How are your new recruits?” Lt. Marlow asked from across the room in a low, raspy voice. Lt. Marlow was new to the Voyager. A member of the ship’s security department. A survivor of the USS Baltimore. She was found alive in an escape pod two weeks after the battle. Her pod mates had died one by one. The experience had an effect on her I was told by those that knew her from before the war. She was once a ‘by the book’ kind of officer. The new Marlow was kind and quick to turn an eye from things that, at another time, would have sent her straight to the Captain.
     “They’re a challenge. Raw material waiting for the refiners fire,” I answered turning my whole body toward her because of my screwed up neck.
     “I see you slept wrong,” she said to continue the conversation. “I’ve done that before. They’ll get you squared away in no time. They’ve got this new muscle relaxer that will put you right as rain.” The conversation ended with a coughing spasm. She was called in right after that.
     Twenty minutes after registering my name was announced. I pulled out my Pad and quickly messaged the cadets giving them a reading assignment intended to keep them occupied until I could get there.
     “Commander Williamson,” the monitor said again without any sign of annoyance at my delay. I stood up and walked toward the small hallway to the DC.  A door opened at the end of the hall . I walked in facing a holographic doctor.

     “Please describe your illness in detail,” the projection said. I gave it my symptoms.
     “Please step into the Diagnostic Chamber,” the hologram said politely. I stepped in.
A light came on and the scanner did its thing. A solid bar of light moved across my body from head to toe, front and back. I was asked to place my right index finger into the ring at the end of the hand hold. I felt a quick jab - blood had been drawn. "Remove," the computer ordered. I did. A small red dot marked the spot of entry .
     The last step of the scan was the sniffer. Air was blown over my body and monitored. Smells tell a great deal about a person’s health I’ve been told.  “Please step away from the Chamber,” the holograph said. I looked into the eyes of the projection. They were looking at me but also not quite focused correctly into my eyes. Very real - yet not quite. I was directed to another small waiting room. I waited another ten minutes and in walked the Ship’s Doctor.
     Dr Monroe was ancient by any standard. His records indicated an age of 126. Mandatory retirement used to be 100. Now, after the war, retirement is a thing of the past. All reserves are back in service. Monroe, as he wanted to be called, had a
no holds bar attitude toward everything. “Im too old to care about procedures,” he repeated to anyone who had time to listen. His dress and mannerisms reflected his attitude.
     “When you’re 126,” I told my cadets before their first physicals with Monroe,”You can say and act any way you like, but at twelve years you do it my way or there is always the airlock.” They understood.
     “According to this report from the DC you’ve got a broken leg and low blood sugar,” Monroe said leaning against the wall chewing the end of a stylus. His face was unshaven and his shirt untucked. His white hair hadn’t seen a brush in years. He stopped reading and looked at my leg from the doorway. “Looks more like a broken neck. That damn DC couldn’t tell the difference between an apple and orange,” he snorted as he hobbled toward me.
     I thought to engage him in a conversation. “My leg isn't broken, I just can't stand straight. As for the low blood sugar - I think it's just another false reading. Why haven’t the tecks fixed the DC? Last time I was in here you were using some pretty colorful language to describe its diagnostic abilities.”
     He waved his hand in front of his face to say a conversation about the techs would only be a waste of valuable oxygen. He ran his fingers over the back of my neck.
     “Ow!” I reacted to his less than gentle examination.
     “This will do the job,” he said. I felt a jab and a warmth flooded across the back of my neck. I lifted my head upright. No pain. “There, you don’t look like those eccentric Breens anymore. We’re busy right now so come back in a few days and we will look at your blood sugar. Most likely nothing but wouldn’t hurt to check it out again.”
     “Thanks Monroe,” I said as he hobbled toward the next exam room. “Buy me a drink in the lounge next time I see you - it's the only kind of thanks needed.” His voice trailed behind him as he disappeared around the corner.
     I was off toward the lift and the waiting cadets.

The first month's posts also contained this email from a teacher

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2008

An Email from a Teacher

Mr. Williamson,

     Thank you very much for the great experience my students from Emerson had last night. Everything about it was perfect for them and they couldn't stop talking about it. I'm sure you find that a lot, but I was just hoping that all of the students would get into it. It was so fun to look around and see all of them very busy and engaged and having a great time.      

     The last time I came to your space center was about 15 years ago, and even though it was about the same idea, this was much better. All of your employees were also very good and helpful.  A great learning experience!

Thanks again,

Margaret A.

My intentions for The Troubadour to be that ongoing story of living on the Starship Voyager quickly changed after seeing the potential of a blog over the YahooGroup.  Her is another post from that first month's postings. 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2008

A Letter from a Happy Teacher

Victor:

A heartfelt thanks for hosting us at the Space Center for our 6th grade field trip this year. I wish you could join us on the bus as we go back to the school so you could hear the comments the kids are making about the experience they had. They absolutely love how interactive/stressful and exciting the mission becomes. I appreciate the way you interact with them during the mission and the "grown-up" feeling that they have as they have to do it all on their own, without "teacher" help.

The whole experience was so well planned, as it always is. Smooth transitions from place to place, interesting science lessons and wonderful star lab presentation. This year I had an ELL student with very limited English and he was able to participate successfully as a decoder. Tell me any other field trip that that would happen with....such a difficult spot
for a kid to be in, limited English, and he's able to fully participate and engage in the whole experience! Impressive.

The atmosphere at that school just screams "learn, learn, think, think" and I'm sure that's due to the presence of the space center. It just feels like you want to be there and be professional and become a scientist! All of the kids commented on the cleanliness of the school, the organization of the program, the patient and helpful way that the teachers interacted with them and the successful feeling that they had. The teacher in the science room (stars, light, etc) did a brilliant job of sticking right with our core and showing them interactive experiments that we draw on all year as we complete our science studies.

I "brag you up" every year (this is my third year) and every year I'm more impressed as I come and realize the work that has gone into this experience for kids. Thanks for letting us come (we're Jordan School District) and participate in an experience that truly is that one unforgettable moment in the life of a sixth grader.

You're brilliant.
Tell all your staff I think they are the best.
Sincerely,
Laurie Benson
Rosamond Elementary
Riverton, Utah

The Troubadour's first month ended with this update by Sheila Powell. Sheila and Lorraine Houston were my two field trip classroom teachers. They were amazing to say the least.  2008 was one of the Center's best years!

Dr. Sheila with her field trip students

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2008

Fun Experiences in the Classroom

By Sheila Powell
Space Center Teacher

I had a fun experience in the classroom last week that I must share, too: I had just shown the kids the video clip of how the balance of nuclear fusion energy and gravity forms stars. I asked the kids if stars have so many nuclear fusion reactions at any one time, what keeps the stars from "blowing apart"? No answer from any of the kids, expect one. The kid was sitting right in front of me at the front of the class. He jumped up (scared me really!), waving and yelling loudly "GRAVITY!!!" I was a bit stunned by his excitement, and said something to the affect of:" I appreciate your enthusiasm, and yes Gravity is the correct answer". I gave him a marshmallow for his answer...he continued his excitement by doing a "high-five-I'M great-I'm good" dance in front of the class. I said, I appreciate your excitement for the answer (trying to calm him a bit), but then he responded: "You don't understand. I'm not the brightest kid in this class and when I get an answer right it's really a big deal for me!!!!!!" 

     I started laughing, his teaching started laughing...the whole class was roaring with laughter at this kid's answer and announcement of his "place in the world." The kid was laughing too as what he'd said!! I thanked him for his answer and his honesty regarding his educational status in the class. We all continued to giggle for awhile and finally got back to business. But I do know this: That kid "beamed" so brightly, proud of his answer, that for the rest of the time, I didn't need to turn on the lights in the classroom. We/the space center helped that kid realize, if only for a brief moment, that he was smart, capable and equal to his classmate. Yep, that was a great moment...a "Mount Everest" teaching/student moment indeed!!!

Here's another fun story from the classroom:

     As I was preparing yet another group for the scary transporting process, one young girl looked at me particularly frightened. She looked a bit pale in fact. I reassured her that the transporting process was painless, and would only make her "armpits tickle" for a moment and then she would be on the ship.."at the speed of light", I told her. She looked me dead in eye and said, "I trust you...for now", and stepped bravely into the transporter. As I quickly rotated the transporter tube and preceded to transport her to her Voyager destination, we all (those anxiously waiting to be transported) heard her yell LOUDLY , "Tell my mother I love her!" We all burst out laughing.!!!! I love the fine line we all walk-- moving the kids everyday between reality and sci-fi ---with these kids...too much fun!!!!

SKPowell:)

Happy 10 Year Anniversary to The Troubadour.  Thank you to all you readers. We are few but we are devoted and avid fans of the Space Centers and the Space EdVenturing movement as it spreads far and wide thanks to the work of today's Troubadours.  

Mr. Williamson

Theater Imaginarium

The Best Gifs of the Week Edited for a Gentler Audience