Utah County's Newest Starship Simulator Hyperion Launches with Fanfare (Shame on You if You Missed It). The Food Trucks Were Pretty Good Too. Plus, The Imaginarium.

Nathan, Lissa, and Mr. Porter at the Grand Opening introducing the public to the Alpine School District Planetarium

     Saturday, May 26, a date which will live in infamy - at least that's how our galactic enemies will see it.  It was on that day the Jumpcarrier Hyperion launched from the Telos Discovery Shipyard.  Its mission is to explore, serve, and protect human civilization throughout the galaxy. The Hyperion joins the Farpoint Fleet representing the Terran House at Capital Point.     

The Hyperion has its own entrance at Telos University

Telos University

      I was invited by Dr. Ryan Anderson, Director of Telos Discovery,  to offer my services in the ribbon cutting ceremony.  From time to time it is good to wheel out the founder of the mother center, especially for special events like the launching of another ship of the line.  I was dressed in TDS black, given a hanky for accidental drooling - something I do from time to time when near any of Utah County's starship simulators, and told where to stand for the ceremony. 

 

   

     At the designated time we - the few, the proud, the chosen - took hold of the scissors (it reminded me of a baby blessing) and assisted the mayor of Provo in the cutting of the event ribbon.  And with that, the Hyperion was launched and ready to serve the students of Utah County.  

Celebrating the defeat of that wiley rascal of a ribbon

   

      While I would have preferred to christen the Hyperion with a $900 bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne, this ribbon cutting was appropriate for the teetotaler audience present, the budget, and the clean up.  

 

     It's not often a new starship simulator launches so it was fitting that Telos made it a grand day with food trucks, information booths, and mini-missions in the Hyperion.  Many employees and volunteers of the Telos Discovery Space Center attended - all dressed in their formal blacks.  I find the uniform useful - sharp looking and handy for funerals.  Yes funerals; think of how many of our dear comrades perish every time one of our ships' departs for a mission. Space is a very dangerous place, especially for any ship claiming its founding inspiration from my first ship - the USS Voyager.

Young Space Cadets from the Terran Space Command. Sadly their expendability doesn't match their vast enthusiasm

The Hyperion's food replicators were not in working order so Telos did the next best thing, call in the pros

     The Christa McAuliffe Space Center claimed the prime location in the playoffs for display space during the grand opening. Not only was the table a few steps away from the entrance, it was also strategically located nearest to the toilets.  

     Those of us sporting a few more years on this earth appreciate these little kindnesses.  Mr. Porter knew I'd be attending sporting a Maverick Gut Buster Diet Dew.  "We thought of you Vic," he said as I entered pulling my drink in my little Radio Flyer Red wagon. 

My Radio Flyer has been by my side for many years

       

     The Christa McAuliffe Space Center delegation was led by Director James Porter. He and his team displayed a true enthusiasm for the new Christa McAuliffe Center soon to be built with the construction of the new Central Elementary School in Pleasant Grove. 

    

     On display for purchase was the new CMSC summer camp t-shirt.  You found yourself buying one if you lingered at their table for more than a few seconds. Their sales pitch was that convincing - especially when James destroyed your budget considerations with memories of what it was like when you came to the space center as a child.  

      Dave Dearhing was on hand representing Life, The Universe, and Everything.  He had a table just for kids.  It was a lego lovers delight.  Kids went to town building all types of space related things.

     A local Star Wars Troupe was on hand in full uniform with a couple cool models and robots on hand.
     Participating in a mini mission aboard the Hyperion was the highlight of the grand opening.

     Guests were met at the top of the stairway leading to the Hyperion by a member of the Telos Discovery staff.  Austin gave the waiting public a real knee slapper one man show to help them pass the time while they waited for their mission time.  Then it was a quick "transport" through the turning doors directly into the Hyperion's Briefing Room.

     Tristan gave the new crewmembers a short history of the Hyperion complete with the ship's purpose and mission before sending them through the blast doors, another turning transporter, and onto the bridge itself. 

     Alex and Crystal Anderson were spotted on the Hyperion Bridge.  They stopped by the grand opening to see how their Thorium starship controls were holding up to the heavy load of mission after mission after mission.  As you can see on their faces, they were pleased as punch. Thorium was a resounding success.  

     Maeson Busk, Director of the Canyon Grove Space Center in Pleasant Grove, Flight Director at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center, Flight Director at the Farpoint Space Education Center, Flight Director at the Telos Discovery Space Center, and Flight Director at the Lionsgate Center parked himself in the Hyperion's Control Room supervising the missions.  Maeson can always be found wherever a Problem Solver Grandmaster is needed.  The missions went well. The visitors were impressed and enthusiastic to book future missions and camps.  

     The Grand Opening of the Hyperion was a memorable event.  I was honored to attend and honored to be asked to participate in the ribbon cutting.  I invite you to attend a camp or book a field trip or private mission at any one of our Space EdVenture Centers.  Remember, imagination is faster than light.  When is the last time you used yours?  

     Use it or lose it.  

Mr. Williamson 

The Imaginarium

The Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center Has Changed its Name... So Time to Start Using it. Time to Give Until it Hurts - the Space Center Officially Kicks off a Fundraising Drive to Revolutionize Space and Astronomy Education in Utah County. Theater Imaginarium.

The Christa McAuliffe Space Center Formally Announces a Fundraising Campaign to Build a 40 Foot Dome Planetarium in Utah County. 

    
     The CMSC Needs your "Like" so watch the video and then "Like" it.  If we're going to raise nearly 3 million dollars we're definitely going to need all the "Likes" we can get.  Hopefully the "Likes" will translate into something even more important - $$$.   If you're inclined to part with only one thing today, then keep your "Like" and part with the $$$. 
     Let it be known that the interns and staff here at The Troubadour's world headquarters in beautiful Pleasant Grove fully support this funding campaign and urge all of you Troubadours to do the same. 

     There are many levels of giving to suit your budget.  Here's an interesting fact, if everyone who ever visit the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center over the last 27 years (about 400,000 by now) would donate just $10.00, the fundraiser would be complete.
     Even YOU have $10.00 in change tucked deep down in your couch cushions and chairs.  Think about all those baseball games you've got to sit through this summer. There's got to be a few bucks in loose change under those baseball field bleachers. I should know, that's how I got my pocket change as a young space cadet back in the day.  Send the kids down under to see what they can find. If you get a questioning look, tell them its for a good cause.
     Here's another idea to keep the kids busy this summer. Using their finger paints and a permanent marker or two (if they're marker trained), tell them to make a fundraising sign.  Drop them off at the local Walmart or Smiths with orders not to call for a ride home until they've raised $50 or so.  Standing with the sign behind a car wanting to back out of a parking place should do the job in no time.  No donation, no exit.          

     If you're ambitious and desire to see your names in galactic lights for decades to come, consider donating on a higher level (look at the sign above).  I personally see myself as a Starship donor but may have to settle for the Speck of Cosmic Dust level (a dime in corner gumball machine), something I'm trying to sell to Mr. Porter.  There are some of us who struggle to feed our Diet Mt. Dew addiction.  
     What about your company?  Where does its giving dollars go?  Does your workplace have a giving program?  Some companies will match their employees' donations dollar for dollar.  Please check with your boss.
     Mr. Porter sits at his desk all day wanting to talk to businesses and individuals interested in making a lasting contribution to education in Utah County. He'll make the call and sell the idea, he just needs to know who to call.  Please send him your leads. He'll be happy to do the asking for you if you're a bit shy and embarrass easily.  You can reach Mr. Porter at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center by phone or email:  801.785.8713 or  spacecenter@alpinedistrict.org.

Mr. Williamson

Look at What Could Be the New Christa McAuliffe Space Center  with Your Help       
  

     I know the concept designs above are rough; that's because the architects for the new Central Elementary School and Space Center haven't started to work on the architectural plans.  However, the designs are good enough to show what we're raising funds for.  Yes, we're talking about a two story Space Center with six simulators - two will be double decker ships reminiscent of the original USS Voyager.  
     The current space center started with a dream. I wanted to build a space center that demonstrated the power of experiential simulator based education.  Now it's time to dream bigger. The population of Utah County has exploded since 1990.  The need for a larger center is ever present.  Let's get excited about the new Christa McAuliffe Space Center.  Let's contribute. Let's support this effort anyway we can.

Mr. Williamson   

The Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center Has a Name Change

Hello Space Fans,
Not only does the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center have a new logo:

     It also has a new name.  Gone forever is the name, "The Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center" along with the acronym CMSEC.  Say hello to the new name, "The Christa McAuliffe Space Center" with its new acronym, CMSC.  
     Let's face it, most people referred to the CMSEC as simply "The Space Center".   The real name is a mouthful. I understood that when I named the place, but I decided to give it the full name anyway. 
     Mr. Porter decided to remove the word "Education" from the name hoping it would motivate people to refer to the center by its real name.  I think the decision has merit, considering there are other space centers in Utah County which also use the more generic name "The Space Center" as shortened versions of their long names:  The Telos Discovery Space Center and the Farpoint Space Education Center.
     The Troubadour welcomes the new name: The Christa McAuliffe Space Center.  
   
Mr. Williamson

Imaginarium Theater
The Best Gifs from Around the World, Edited for a Gentler Audience