Lions Gate Center at Lakeview Academy, Saratoga Springs, Introduces the World to Space Corps
Nathan and Parriss King of Lions Gate Center invite you to watch and learn about Space Corps and their fleet of six ships.
What excites me about Space Corps are their missions set within our solar system, something I want to focus on at the Space Academy. After watching and falling in love with the SyFy Channel's series "The Expanse" I'm excited to create a library of new missions set within our solar system using the nations of Earth, Mars, the Belt, and Jupiter's moons as the protagonists and antagonists.
Along with the introduction to Space Corps, Nathan created another video giving their visiting crews and Lakeview students their first mission objectives.
Aliens Visit the Lions Gate Center, at Lakeview Academy to Challenge the Students to a Drone Race. Another First for the Center.
Our friends at the Lions Gate Center, Lakeview Academy have been busy enriching their mission offerings over the last month. Two weeks ago, Lakeview's Computer Technology Education classes got to fly a drone race for one of their missions. As far as I know, using a drone in a mission is another first in the history of the Space EdVenturing Diaspora.
In addition to using a drone in the mission, the CTE students go to interact and race against these aliens! Parriss King played the alien competing against them. Parriss proudly brags about beating most of them, but sadly she must confess that they won overall.
Fright Flights at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center
Our friends at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center invite the public to join them as they run a special 6 hour camp featuring staff picks of their favorite stories meant to keep you up at night. You can sign up individually or fill an entire crew if you need brave companions.
Children ages 10-16 on Oct 26th Adult participants 17+ on Oct 27th
Sign up and help us raise funds for our new facility!
The Discovery Space Center Invites You to Survive
The Discovery Space Center at Canyon Grove Academy is hosting a Halloween Special! Join us on the 29th for a night of fun scares, or on the 30th as we offer our favorite (and scariest) horror missions!
Tickets to this event are only $15, and are going quick! Join us for this awesome 2 hour adventure!
The 2018-2019 Renaissance Space Academy's 200 Young Astronaut and Voyager Clubs Started the Year on Friday.
It was an exciting time Friday afternoon. The Jumpship Voyager was primed, armed, equipped, and crewed by some of the finest officers in Terran Space Command. The 6th Grade Tiger Squadron was briefed on their mission to the Neutral Zone, which separates Terran Space from the Cardilir Empire, our foes on the Great Diaspora Council at Capital Point. Waiting for the Young Astronaut squadron was a collapsing star and a exhaustively troublesome Dr. Marcus of the Cardilir Science Department.
Mark at the helm and Paige at Operations
The young officers met in my classroom at 3:30 P.M. for an introduction to the Young Astronaut Club and an overview of the club's objectives. They know they must maintain their grades in math and science to keep their flight ready status in the fleet.
Isaac at Sensors and Savannah at Communications
The Space Academy has 200 Young Astronauts (grades 3-6) and Voyagers (grades 7-8) divided into squadrons of 10 cadet officers to a squadron. Their pledge,
"I pledge my best efforts to learn about space and further the cause of human space exploration. I will work to improve my grades in math and science and be the best I can be at home, at school, and in my community."
Mr. Bracken Funk, Assistant Director at the Space Academy, reviews the Damage Control Station
with Liam, Porter, and Audrey.
Before boarding the Voyager, I had the pleasure of briefing the cadets on their mission. Along with the briefing was a full detailed description of their Jumpship Voyager. In addition to the occasional Star Trek story, the Space Academy has adopted the Farpoint Universe using both Interstellar and Thorium Software Controls. The Voyager is one of five top of the line ships in the Farpoint Capital Fleet: Voyager at Renaissance Academy, Hyperion at Telos University, and the Everest, Dauntless, and Valiant at Canyon Grove Academy.
First Officer Quinton and Captain Jackson Review their Command Controls
The sixth grade cadets were excited over the realism and attention to true science written into the Farpoint Universe. For example, gone are the deflector shields, in their place - a double hull with various options for repair. They expressed some doubt over their ability to remember the many steps to correctly operate a large Jumpship.; not to mention the complexities of flight, hyperspace, and maintenance.
Gone are the days when technobabble solves the day's problems. The cadets are also excited about the business aspects of the universe. They have a ship budget to live by along with accounting that must be done over both finances and ship inventory.
Lalith at Counter Intelligence
After all diplomatic means to resolution have failed and going into battle for the defense of the planet becomes absolutely necessary, the cadets have been taught that the object of battle is not to kill and destroy but to cripple and capture. They thought this aspect of the Farpoint Universe was "pretty cool". The Diaspora does not take kindly to losing a ship. The costs of building a modern jumpship run into the high billions. Why destroy when you can capture? Capturing another Houses' ship and crew leads to monetary rewards and large savings to the government.
Isaac at the Sensors Station
The Tiger Squadron will meet again in a few weeks. Their next meeting will include a space physics lesson on star formation, the lifespan of stars, and the events leading up to a supernova. They promise to be strong contenders for the coveted "Top Team" award. Good Luck Tigers!
Mr. Williamson
Lindsey, Lissa, and Audrey Wearing their New Upscale Space Center Outer Wear.
Photo compliments of Audrey.
Space Center Fashion: What Paris, London, New York and Moscow Don't Have
Just in time for the Autumn fashion shows from the planet's top designers comes the Space Center's line up of impressive, durable, fashionable, and futuristic Fall outerwear. Modelling the year's best jacket designs are three top Space Center models, flight directors, and supervisors: Lindsey, Lissa, and Audrey.
The zippers are made from the sturdiest Rigellian steel imported by Galactic ACME and shipped to Earth by their partners Ferengi Interstellar Shipping who specialize in Next Month Delivery as long as no questions are asked.
The material is a special weave of carbon filaments intertwined with Vulcan mesh engineered to dissipate the energy from a full phaser blast. You'll live, but the 2nd and 3rd degree burns will keep you up at night.
Have you thought about what you'll wear under your chic Space Center Jacket? Please consider these two trendy frocks from the leaders in galactic design. Both will result in a mountain of debt, but you'll be the best dressed, in Vogue volunteer or staff when you make your fashionable arrival to your next mission. Ask about these, and other designs for the well travelled space enthusiast, the next time you visit the Space Center's Gift Shop and Emporium.
From the Archives: A Voyager Crew lined up outside the school's stage doors for boarding.
Notice their rank badges. July 2007
From the Archives. Space Center Journal December 2, 2002 Stazi (Midnight Rescue) is Doing Very Well for a New Mission. Jason Hills, Chase Wooten, Bryce Redd, and Charlie Heaton Announce Their Retirement. Julie Collett and Landon Hemsley Promoted to Five Bars. Alex DeBirk and Jameson McDougal to Star in Their High School Plays. Space Missionaries to be Filmed at the Center. School Safety and New Equipment (VCR/DVD) Purchased. Hello Troops, I apologize for not maintaining a regular journal. I could say I've been busy. That would be partly true. Another excuse would involve an explanation that everything is running the same as always and nothing of importance has transpired. Again, this is partly true. Could there be room for a spell of laziness? Oh, perhaps. Don't we all sit down at times and attempt to "write" and find we always have mountains to say but very little to write? Human nature I guess. I need a computer that will sit on my lap and let me talk to it. As if by magic my words would appear on the screen, spelled correctly and grammatically `on the mark'.
The Galileo's Crew in the first Galileo. Summer 2007
News of the Space Center: The new Stazi mission is going well. I am enjoying telling Stazi. It 's a mission with a definite "bang" for an ending. Ask the staff and interns about the cheering we get as the crews cross the Stazi border and sail out of weapons range of the dreaded Stazi and Klingons. I'm pleased to report that classes are coming well prepared. We can attribute that to the fantastic pre-visit curriculum Jennifer Remy prepared.
In the Galileo.
Summer 2007
We've started working with the Mesa Clubs from the Jordan School District. They come right after school. I wasn't sure how they would take to Stazi considering their age and coolness factor. My fears were proven wrong.Secondary students enjoy the mission even more than elementary. I think they understand the concepts of diplomacy, international law, diplomatic immunity, and the function of a country's embassy in a foreign land better than the younger kids. Briefing them before their missions is fun.I keep throwing problem after problem at them. I tell them the situation is fluid and changing minute by minute. That perks their interest and motivates them to get out into the simulators and get down to business.
The Phoenix Captain and First Officer
Summer 2007. For a little while there the Phoenix was a full sized Galaxy Class Ship.
It made it easier to share video tracks and stories with the Voyager.
Staff News: We have a few retirements to announce. Jason Hills, Chase Wooten, Bryce Redd, and Charlie Heaton have all announced their intentions to retire and move on to other opportunities. We will say goodbye to them at Honor's Night, December 4th. I'm going to miss these outstanding volunteers and wish them good fortune as they set sail and continue with their interests and schooling.
Julie Collett and Landon Hemsley will be promoted to five bars on Thursday. Both have been training extensively and have received certification to begin doing private missions – a requirement to receive the rank of five bars.
The Voyager's Captain and First Officer
Lorraine Houston's son has entered the MTC. Landon Hemsley received the rank of Eagle Scout. Alex DeBirk stared in Lone Peak High School's production of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". Jameson McDougal stared in Orem High School's production of Les Miserables. Report cards came out. I'm very pleased with the grades our volunteers are getting. Way to Go!!! And Keep it up!
I received a letter from Josh Webb. He is doing fine in the MTC. He writes that his missionary friends call him the Trekkie and give him the Spock salute every time they see him. He said he tried to explain what the Center is but they just don't get it. There is good news also. Josh has been made an Assistant to the President and supervises the other missionaries during the evening, – kind of like a chaperone. He attributes this leadership position a direct result of his training at the Center.
The Voyager's Security Officers giving the Thumbs Up. They think they are ready for anything my staff
has to dish out. Little do they know....
Other News: Rowland Hall Saint Marks Academy borrowed our famous squeaking cots for a school play.
There is a student made film being shot at the Center. "Space Missionaries"is the working title. The director and producer tell me they hope to release the video to the LDS seminaries next school year. Will it happen? I have my doubts a seminary teacher would show it - but never mind. We are getting paid for the use of the facility so we come out in the black regardless how the video does.
A very happy camper on the bridge of the Voyager
Summer 2007
Security of the Center is an issue.We had several kids in the building last overnighter. They got in through the doors by the kindergarten room. Randy brought it to my attention. I went down and chased them out of the building. I discovered they got into the school because the custodian forgot to lock the outside main doors. We also find the outside gym doors open on a regular basis before we leave in the evening after the Voyager's private missions. I encourage everyone to be mindful of the school's security. Always check the school's doors and windows after school hours.
We will be moving the Falcon's cabinets to the Galileo side of the cafeteria. Bob Lindstrom, Central's chief custodian, will be returning from surgery. He has been absent nearly a year with two knee replacements. The cafeteria has been thoroughly cleaned over the Thanksgiving break to give him a nice clean school to start with.
The Voyager's Communications Officer
New Equipment:
The Center has purchased a new ibook for the Galileo. We have a new DVD/VCR combo unit for the Briefing Room. The Odyssey's video system was overhauled last weekend. Kyle Herring and Chris Call spent several hours installing the new, simplified system. I consider this a real improvement to Odyssey operations.
I've rambled on enough. End of Journal Entry. Mr. Williamson Imaginarium Theater The Best Gifs from around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience
Dr. Anderson and Staff in the Hyperion's Control Room
A Internationally Known Pulitzer Prize Winning Author, Film Writer, Playwright, Columnist Visits Telos Discovery Space Center's Hyperion. Supernova Was a Hit.
Dr. Ryan Anderson, Executive Director at Telos Discovery Space Center sent the following two emails celebrating a hit with Supernova, One of my Favorite Missions with the Conceited Egotistical Mad Scientist Dr. Marcus of the Romulan Academy of Science (A Part of Love to Play). Mr.W.
Victor, Today, as a part of Telos U's family days, we are running a mission for a group of our students and their parents. One of the parents is actually a very well known author, film writer, playwright, columnist, etc. Sadly, due to confidentiality, I can't tell you who it is, but I'm sure you would recognize his work. Anyway, he has specifically expressed a lot of interest in taking place in the mission, and we'll be putting him through my updated Farpoint version of Supernova today. I'll let you know how it goes!
Sincerely,
Ryan Anderson, Ph.D., LMFT, MedFTExecutive Director, Telos Discovery Space CenterProcess Addiction Specialist, Telos Programs
Victor So, Vic, you have a Pulitzer Prize winning author who has fallen in love with your old Supernova story. That's very high praise! In addition to loving the story, they had a wonderful time. They liked it so much, in fact, that he and his wife (who both teach at a prominent university) are going to be bringing a group of their acting and writing students to come fly with us. Lol! I'm trying to figure out which is the next mission we want to send them on. Vic, I hope that you can find a sense of real accomplishment and validation that your work holds up under scrutiny from someone of that level of accomplishment in the field of writing and directing.
Sincerely, Ryan Anderson, Ph.D., LMFT, MedFTExecutive Director, Telos Discovery Space CenterProcess Addiction Specialist, Telos Programs
The Farpoint Space Education Center is Now
Renaissance Space Academy
The Bridge of the Starship Voyager at the Space Academy
This seems to the be season for rebranding. The Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center was rebranded into The Christa McAuliffe Space Center complete with a new logo.
Not wanting to be left out, Farpoint Space Education Center is now the Renaissance Space Academy with the shortened day to day name of Space Academy. It was decided the FSEC was a bit too long. Renaissance Space Academy reflects 1) Our school, Renaissance Academy. 2) Space Academy signifies our mission and purpose - education. RSA's mission is to use experiential education to create a space faring civilization - pure and simple.
The Voyager's Control Room. An Overhaul Extraordinaire. New Everything but the walls.
A Major Investment into the Program by Renaissance Academy
The new Voyager Control Room
Renaissance Academy is home to Utah's Space Academy. The Starship Voyager is the Academy's starship simulator - a Farpoint simulator in the Space EdVentures family of simulators. Thousands of dollars have been put into the Voyager this last month in a series of upgrades: new computers, a new server, new chairs, lighting, etc. The new server alone is making an enormous difference in the quality of the missions.
Bracken Funk was the "thorn" in the school director's side - a constant visitor in Mr. Ursic's office. Each visit started with a knock on the door followed by an extended hand holding a wish list.
"It's a space center rule that whenever you get new computers and furniture, you need to do a deep clean and reorganization of the control room," Bracken said. And with that, the Voyager's control room was gutted and redone in true Funk style.
The Flight Director's Station
I'm having a hard time deciding what excited Bracken most, the new server or the new
flight director's chair pictured above (complete with lumbar and neck support). Please notice the empty desk space on the flight director's right. My desire has always been to create a friendly, welcoming place for the Space Center's veteran flight directors to come and fly. I know many of you experience mission withdrawal symptoms from time to time. Let the Voyager be your rehab. The Voyager is set up so a flight director can fly missions without having to control anything but your music and the voice changer. The second and third chairs take care of everything else - under your direction of course. I fly missions all the time, not having a clue how any of this works. The staff take care of the technology - I focus on the story, the crew, and the curriculum.
Veteran Flight Directors - come talk to us. We also need NEW missions. I'm sure you've had several great mission ideas pop into your head over the years you've been away. Let the Voyager be the outlet for all that pent up imagination that once flowed through your voice and into a simulator. Remember the feeling of playing Master of the Universe with so many young lives in your hands? You're feeling the itch again, aren't you? Come visit us.
Mr. W.
Bracken went on a labeling spree. Even the microphone has been named.
The Voyager's Away Team Cart complete with mobile speaker system, lights, cords, etc. Setting up an away team in the school's hallways or gym has never been easier.
The New Flight Director's Chair can lay all the way back so a Flight Director can Imagineer in Comfort. Here Bracken is mimicking my flight directing posture. Let's set the record straight, I never directed a mission in the prone position. The hand up to the forehead with eyes closed as if I'm working to contain a massive headache is a mannerism I will claim.
The English Space Center?
One of our travelling Troubadours found this in England. What has Mr. Porter been up to? On the other hand, perhaps this is the Big Announcement advertised on the Telos Discovery Space Center's Facebook. Or.... maybe Mr. Williamson has had a bit of something on the side for several years now, being a big Anglophile and all. Hummmmmm, what are your thoughts?
Mr. W.
Campers Arriving for Another 3 Day Camp Summer 2007
From the Archives:
Space Center Journal: November 10, 2002
Josh Webb's Missionary Farewell. Thank You to Our High School Interns Metta Smith, Josh Webb, Alex DeBirk, Matt Long, Julie Colette, and Landon Hemsley. Praise for Lorraine from a Teacher, Attack of the Killer Spiders has a Name, Lorraine Houston's Car Broken Into on Overnight Camp.
Hello Troops, It has been a few weeks since the last Journal. I'll do my best to update you. I'll begin with Josh Webb's farewell.Josh entered the MTC on Wednesday, October 30. His farewell was the Sunday before. It was well attended. He was given the topic of "Temple Covenants" to speak on. Sound a little crazy to you. Yes, and it did to me also. Why wasn't the topic some basic, simple gospel principal I don't know. Asking a new missionary to speak on temple covenants is like asking a Catholic priest to teach a course on the basics of a happy marriage. All book learning with no practical experience. Josh handled it well except for his opening statement. His girlfriend of a few years played a piano solo before he spoke. Afterwards Josh stood up and started his talk by saying, "I don't know what was prettier, the piano solo or the girl that played it - a girl I won't see for two years." I squirmed in my seat in the back.
Campers Arriving from all over Utah for one of the Space Center's 3 Day Camps Summer 2007
I've enjoyed having Josh in my home. Some of you may not know but Josh lost both his parents when he was nine years old. Josh was raised by his aunt and uncle until last February when he came and lived with me to finish high school and get on his mission. I'll miss almost everything about Josh. Notice I said almost everything. I won't miss the endless hours of Nintendo. I think I know the music to all the Mario games by heart!
A Camper Arriving for one of the Space Center's 3 Day Camps Summer 2007
Josh says he would like to hear from all of you that knew him fairly well. Mail is very important to a missionary so if you have a spare moment please drop a note to both Stephen Porter and Josh Webb. I'll do the same. Also, keep them both in your prayers. Serving a mission is hard work and physically, mentally, and spiritually challenging.
Campers Arriving from all over Utah for one of the Space Center's 3 Day Camps Summer 2007
I want to thank our outstanding high school interns for all the time and efforts they put in to making our field trip program successful. Our interns; Metta Smith, Josh Webb, Alex DeBirk, Matt Long, Julie Colette, and Landon Hemsley, arrive on time and stay later than required. Their help, along with the dedicated service of Lorraine and Aleta, has made our program unique, educational, and very enjoyable. The feedback I've received from visiting teachers has been all positive. Last Friday Mrs. Fossum, from Wasatch Elementary School, told me how much she enjoyed the field trip. She emphasized the classroom experience and said she could sit and listen to Lorraine teach all day.
Campers Arriving from all over Utah for one of the Space Center's 3 Day Camps Summer 2007
We've had some good groups for the last couple of overnight camps. Kyle Herring has finally named his overnight mission for the Magellan. We've been calling it "The Attack of the Killer Spiders," simply because I couldn't think of anything else the first time I introduced the mission to the kids. "The Treaty of Timeer" is the title.Chris Call and Landon Hemsleyare experimenting with taking their private 2.5 hour missions and stretching them out into overnighters. "Doomsday" was on the menu Friday evening. The Voyager did "Mercy Strike".
We had a serious misfortune on the overnight mission of November 1. Mrs. Houston's car was broken into. The driver's side window was shattered. She was parked behind the school. The thieves stole her purse. The first charges on her credit cards began at 5:00 A.M. that same morning. She immediately canceled her credit cards and put a hold on all checks. The thieves spent all last week attempting to cash her checks. They even used a stolen cell phone to call her. It has been a rough week for Lorraine. I'm worried about all our cars on the overnight camps. To date Kyle's car and Lorraine's cars have been vandalized. I don't know the solution except to say it may be best to park away from the school in the neighborhood or park out on the road near a streetlight.
The Phoenix First Officer During a Red Alert Summer Camp Season 2007
We are in a season of large classes. We've got some classes coming up that hit 36 students per class. Classes get really ugly when you hit those numbers. We max out at 32 in our simulators (in an emergency we can go up to 35). It will be an interesting November.
On November 8th we celebrated our 12th birthday. Some interesting numbers can be found in our database "Attendance Totals".
That's about it. I may have forgotten some things and If I have please let me know.
Take Care Everyone and keep in touch. Let me know about important things in your life that I can announce in the group. This is the group for current and former space center staff and friends to stay in touch.
Theater Imaginarium
The Best Gifs of the Week Edited for a Gentler Audience
