Maeson Busk Finished his pièce de résistance at the DSC. Earth and all her glories is the title of the artwork.
I just happened to stop by last Saturday to see him putting the finishing touches on the mural. Emma supervised. The mural sits opposite the entrance to the Everest's control room and the simulator's outside entrance. Upon closer inspection I noticed the mural was curling up from the corners; something painted murals don't do. That's when I realized Maeson wasn't adding finishing touches, he was gluing down a section of the Earth in the process of detaching itself from the planet. I didn't say anything. If Maeson wanted me to think he painted the mural then I'm all in. After all, aren't all of us involved in this line of work masters of make believe?
There was something unfamiliar with the planet in the new DSC mural. With the nebula so close to the planet I assumed it was an alien world - a member planet in the Farpoint diaspora. I studied the planet with better lighting and recognized Saudi Arabia; an upside down Saudi Arabia. Oops.... If you visit the DSC do me a favor and don't tell Maeson that he hung (or painted) the earth upside down. It would be like rubbing salt on an open wound. Spencer Baird Passes his Flight Director Exam for the DSC's Everest Simulator.
The moment Spencer heard the news. There was much celebration in the land.
Even his crew (the Space Academy's 6th Grade Tiger Squadron) was happy for him.
Spencer Baird was inducted into the ranks of one of the world's most exclusive clubs on Saturday. Welcoming him into the Benevolent Order of Level Two Flight Directing was Maeson Busk, himself a Level Two flight director. Level Two Flight Directors are those who actively fly simulators in two Space EdVenture Centers. Maeson works as the director of the DSC at Canyon Grove Academy and a flight director at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. Spencer is an active flight director at Renaissance Space Academy and is now authorized to fly the Everest at the DSC at Canyon Grove.
Spencer trained for several months for his final exam mission on Saturday. He was happy to discover that his crew would be cadets from the Space Academy. He knew them and they knew him. His little brother was the first officer.
His exam started with the mission briefing. The Space Academy's 6th Grade Tiger Squadron listened as he explained their mission objectives. They had to transfer a prisoner from Alcatraz Prison to Farpoint Station for trial. Of course the prisoner was a drug lord with extensive operations throughout the Diaspora. You can see Jackson Baird's reaction to that bit of information above.
The crew was trained and ready for the mission. Little did they know what awaited.
Sitting outside the Everest were the DSC volunteers plotting against the crew. The Space Academy's Ethan Freestone was on hand to support Spencer. Ethan is a duel center volunteer and enjoys his time at the DSC. The DSC supervisor (in blue) explained the role of the ship's doctor for this particular mission.
The mission began. Spencer was ready, or as ready as he could be. It was a tough exam. The mission was new, written only the previous week; a Maeson creation. Would Spencer crack under the pressure?
Caleb H., Spencer's second chair, was also going for his IIFX (Second Chair) pass. Two teenagers under the gun with their pre-college careers on the line. Adding to the pressure were the two people sitting behind them. Both DSC directors were in the control room working on evaluations. Maeson was taking copious notes on both Spencer and Caleb while Sydney took notes on the bridge person.
When all was said and done Spencer got his pass.
It was a double celebration. Caleb got his IIFX pass as well.
And on hand to celebrate the good news were the staff and volunteers for the day's exam mission. This is what makes the Discovery Space Center a great place. I mentioned to both Sydney and Maeson that there is a happy, welcoming, friendly feeling at the DSC. You can tell the staff and volunteers care for each other and their crews. Maeson and Sydney are to be congratulated for the work they've done to build the program to what it is today. They set the example the staff and volunteers follow. Congratulations Spencer and Caleb for passing your exams.
In passing I asked Maeson where my office had been moved to. A few years back when Casey and Skyler were building the simulators at Canyon Grove, I asked for my own office; just a small corner with a nameplate to show my support for the program. It would be a tribute in my honor for founding the first space center. I noticed that the small corner just off the main entrance which had always been '"my office" was occupied with odds and ends. "Where's my office?" I questioned Maeson. "My office has always been right here." "We moved your office," Maeson replied. "Follow me." He led me down the short hallway which separates the Everest and Dauntless to the confined storage area behind the Everest's Brig. "There you go. Welcome to your office." "It's full of stuff," I objected. "Not this area. Your office is behind that hatch. See, we haven't forgotten you." Maeson pointed to the hatch behind the 'stuff'.
You see what I mean when I say there is a true spirit of love and friendship at the DSC. What Maeson doesn't know is that I'm going to have a sign made that says "Mr. Williamson's Office" and put it over that hatch. We'll see who has the last laugh. Mr. Williamson
Jensen Caldwell, Megan Warner, and Bracken Funk on the Bridge of the USS Voyager.
Renaissance Space Academy
The Space Academy in Lehi is pleased to announce the return of a Space Center legend. Megan Warner has come back to the magical world of Space EdVenturing. It happened quite unexpectedly on a cold Saturday afternoon. I knew something out of the realm of understood physics was about to happen when I exited my car. Perhaps it was something in the air; a smell or a hint of a spring breeze. Standing in the Academy's parking lot, I felt the wind hesitate as if it had something important to say, and for a second a thought popped into consciousness. And then it disappeared just as quickly. Nearby trees announced the returning winter wind whispering a message I couldn't quite hear. I saw lights in the distance; far away, circling high above the road. Slowly they descended to take the shape of a small black car. It puttered past Learning Dynamics Preschool. Sparks lit up the early morning darkness as the car's undercarriage scraped bottom entering the school's parking lot. The door opened and out stepped Megan Warner with a Starbucks in one hand and umbrella in the other. She smiled as she walked toward me. "How are you Bossman?" "Megan, long time no see," I replied with surprise. "Here for a visit?" She smiled and tapped the side of her nose. "I'm here for the children..." Her statement sounded ominous but her voice was kind. "The children?" I interrupted. She saw the puzzled look on my face. She seemed annoyed with my interruption. "Am I correct that Bracken is here?" "Yes." "Exactly, I'm here for the children and for all of you." I explained that Bracken was great with the students and an asset in moving the program forward. I told her he has adapted to the school climate and watches his language and bodily sounds and gases. "I have no doubt that Bracken has been an asset in getting things ship shape around here..." she paused. "Not to say that it wasn't functioning within normal parameters before. I'm sure you did your best considering your advanced years - God bless you," she patted my cheek as we walked down the first grade hallway toward the Voyager. "But let's consider the facts; you, Bracken, Isaac, Spencer, Jensen, Ethan, Brad, Logan, Dylan." I sensed where she was going. "We have Jenny and Livy on staff too." "Very good. I would expect that; however, this place definitely needs a mature woman's touch to balance things out...... so, I'm here to ensure the children get a well balanced program - one not too heavy on space battles and intergalactic warfare." We reached the Briefing Room's door. "Having someone with your experience on staff will be a blessing," I said. "I agree," she replied. "Now, I willing to work the occasional weekday evening - emphasis on occasional. I'm able to come in on Saturdays but never Sundays. Holidays are optional. Are we keeping up or am I going too fast?" "I understand. We're happy to work around your schedule." "Aren't you brave, and doing so well. You just relax and let us do the heavy lifting. You focus on your 6th graders and the Young Astronauts." And with that she entered the control room. "Megan!" Bracken shouted. I heard a chair tip over. "Happy to see me?" I heard her say as I walked out of the room and up the stairs to my classroom to prepare for my programming class. All fun aside, we are privileged to have Megan working with us at the Space Academy.
Megan's early days. Here she is with the Magellan staff helping out on a mission
Megan has years of experience as a volunteer, supervisor, and flight and set director at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center. In June of 2013 Megan became the CMSEC director when I retired from the school district. She left the Space Center when James Porter was hired. The district wanted a certified teacher at the helm.
Megan as director of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center with Asst. Director Jon Parker
Megan has been in and out helping Utah County's space centers wherever and whenever she was needed. Now, she has settled at the Space Academy. Her talents and experience will be welcome as we continue to develop our inhouse missions for the students of Renaissance Academy along with the Young Astronauts and Voyager Club programs. The Voyager is a lucky ship indeed to have such an experienced staff of CMSEC veterans. Great things are happening with more to come. Stay tuned.
Megan feeling very much at home on the bridge of the Starship Voyager
The Little Ship that Could Soon to Get a Facelift. Admiral David Kyle Herring Stops by for an Inspection
James Porter and Kyle Herring Inspect the Galileo
The Galileo was on and humming nicely when its creator entered the cafeteria for an inspection last Thursday evening. I stopped by for the event on my way home from the Academy. Kyle hadn't seen his masterpiece in quite a while and I wanted to be on hand to capture the moment. Sadly, the Galileo won't find a home in the new Space Center scheduled to open in the Fall of 2020. "There just won't be room," James Porter explained. "We want the Galileo to go to a good home where it will be loved and most of all used." Kyle was called in to give the ship its 5000 light year service check and to explore a few possibilities with Mr. Porter. "We're not going to let this Galileo suffer the same fate as the first," he said.
David Kyle Herring with the his first Galileo
I did my best to find the first Galileo a good home but there were no takers. In the end the ship was sold, dismantled, and taken for its parts - which is all the more reason we have to protect and preserve the new Galileo so it doesn't suffer the same fate. Kyle is leading the effort to maintain and preserve the new Galileo.
Are you interested in working with Kyle to keep the Little Ship that Could away from the Star Fleet scrap yard? We have a few ideas. Contact me for more information. Director@SpaceCampUtah.org.
Victor
Congratulate the Space Academy's 6th Grade Young Astronauts Tiger Squadron for Taking the Top Team Award for the Third Round of Missions and Lessons
The 6th Grade Tiger Young Astronauts Squadron and Guests on the Starship Everest at the
Discovery Space Center
The Space Academy's good friends at the Discovery Space Center at Canyon Grove Academy kindly offered a free mission as a reward to the Academy's top 6th grade team for the third round of missions and lessons. The Tiger Squadron scored 159 points in the round, far ahead of the other three 6th grade squadrons.
The Tigers picking their jobs and learning their mission objects from the Space Academy's very own Spencer Baird.
They flew their bonus mission on the Starship Everest at the DSC in Pleasant Grove and had a great time. I want to thank the DSC for their support of our Young Astronaut program. It is a real treat for our Young Astronauts to get to experience other starship simulators in Utah County. Thank you Discovery Space Center! The Space Academy is happy to do the same for students and staff from the DSC. The Voyager is gassed up, windows washed and oil checked. Congratulations 6th Grade Tigers on a job well done! Mr. Williamson Imaginarium Theater The Best Short Videos from Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience.
Everyone who worked in the original Voyager should remember my little green alien. One of the Center's young volunteers won him at Lagoon during our end of summer season staff trip back in the day. I don't remember who it was who won him but I do remember having to carry it around the park for awhile. At the end of the day he gave the little guy to me considering I was the one tasked with his care at the park. Leave him at the Space Center or take him home? That was my decision when we got home from Lagoon. In the end I put him in the Voyager Control Room and made him our official mascot. He sat there for years and years overlooking our operations in his role as our official quality control director. After all, who knows the ins and outs of space travel better than an honest to goodness little green alien who has found himself shipwrecked on Earth? Today I believe the Little Green Alien sits in the Magellan keeping an eye on the ship's new staff and volunteers. What I didn't know was how attached James Porter has become to the little guy; something I discovered on my last visit to the Space Center. A poster hangs in the school's lobby showing Central Elementary School's staff funny photo. And in that photo I found James Porter clinging to the little plush toy. I'm glad James has found someone he can turn to for emotional support during those days when everything seems to be going wrong. You can't escape them as a Space Center director.
I have once concern. That little green alien was, from time to time, given to the youngest of our overnight campers to help them through bouts of homesickness in the wee hours of the morning. Its green fur has been washed in hundreds of tears over the years. Knowing that, and the possibility of nose droppings accompany the tears, James may not want to cuddle the little guy so closely.
Thank you James for caring so much for our mutual little friend.
Mr. Williamson Do You Have What it Takes to Become a Christa McAuliffe Space Center Ambassador?
The New Central Elementary School and Christa McAuliffe Space Center
The Christa McAuliffe Space Center is looking for individuals who are so enthusiastic about the new planetarium and simulators that they're ready to put their shoulder to the wheel and become CMSC Ambassadors. As ambassadors you'll help the CMSC reach a wider audience with updates about the new Space Center. If you have been positively impacted by our program we hope that you'll apply to become an ambassador and spread the joy. Application: https://goo.gl/forms/q3MigqrbCl8R54Vn2
Those selected for the position will have the option to buy a discounted $10 ambassador kit equipped with space center T-shirt, pin, and lanyard. That way you can catch the attention of friends and co-workers to share their excitement.
Additional materials will also be provided. Ambassadors will also be provided a ticket to the CMSC's sneak peek event before the grand opening, being some of the first to see the new facility.
As always thanks for your support as we continue on this exciting adventure to bring additional educational resources to our community.
James Porter,
CMSC Director
From the Historical Archives. The Space Center Journal. February 2003
Another power outage affects the field trip. A new way of doing hallway landing parties for the Overnight Camps. After camp Bombardment.
There I am looking through the Alpine District phone directory while enjoying
my Dt. Dew. 2008
Can you believe another power outage! This was on Thursday!! I was in the middle of the morning mission when the lights dimmed and then went out. Two weeks in a row! Up to the last two weeks I've only had to send a class home once in 12 years due to a power outage. It was 11:15 A.M. The principal was gone so I stepped up to the plate and made a few decisions for the school concerning lunch and other procedures. Once again I want to thank our awesome daytime staff (Lorraine, Rio, Chris, Tear, Julie, Josh, and Shelley) for handling our guests while I was busy with the school. We fed both classes at the same time as a way to buy time as we waiting for the power to come back on. I made the decision to phone for a bus to take the students back to Orchard Elementary if the power wasn't on by 12:05 P.M. The power came on at 11:55 A.M. There was time to run the afternoon schedule. We stared up the simulators and had the kids loaded and running by 12:10 P.M. Lorraine was at a disadvantage with the afternoon class -She had an extra 20 minutes of teaching time to fill. Luckily we have that fantastic "Hyperspace" DVD series.
BJ and the Magellan Overnight Camp staff ready for their bridge capture
2008
BJ Warner in the Magellan Control Room ready for another bridge capture
2008
Barratt Elementary School's student were our guests for the overnight camp. The Voyager ran Greenpeace with a new twist. Bryson Lystrup and I sat down at 5:30 P.M. to figure out a hall scene to stretch the mission from 2.5 hours to 5 hours. The ideas flowed and we found a truly successful, novel, approach to the hall scene using dice, red dots on the hall walls, and plenty of M and M's for the casualties. I won't take the time to explain it here but it worked very well. The kids loved it, the staff loved it and it took the time needed to make Greenpeace a nice overnight mission.
Metta Smith, the best Magellan supervisor hands down.
2008
The rest of the ships reported good missions. After the overnighter we had the usual Gym "Bombardment" session. At noon the Voyager Academymet so many of our volunteers could earn class hours. We are off to another busy week here at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center.
Mr. Williamson
From the Historical Archives. The Space Center Journal. February 23, 2003
A thought exercise; how you would run a simulator in the days before electricity. I tossed and turned on the Overnight Camp. The Galileo's network goes down on the Overnight Camp. I jiggled a wire or two and a miracle happened. The worst field trip mission ever.
Magellan volunteers: ?, Galo, and Brad Smith
2008
Have you ever wondered how we could run a simulator without electricity? My imagination is starting to run with the idea. Let's take the Voyager for instance.
Bridge: Desks, chairs, paint, carpet - all possible but very expensive. Lights - kerosene lamps or natural gas. If we used natural gas lamps we could control the light output by adjusting the flow of gas. That would provide the dimming for attack scenes. Red lights are
also possible with natural gas lamps is you used colored lamp shades.
Warren Nuila in the Magellan Control Room. Warren was gold.
2008
Tysen Kaylor, another fantastic Magellan volunteer. His mother was Mrs. Kaylor who taught sixth grade
at the time. 2008
Now, what about ship controls? The bridge of a non electrical ship would be quite bare by our standards. I'm seeing a large table with maps and star charts spread every which way. I'm see calculating tables and other such devices. There would be a captain's chair, perhaps a stool in front of the large wooden steering wheel controlling the ship's course with a large galactic compass pointing the way. Blow tubes would run down the wall of the bridge to the various sections of the ship providing communication to the galley, ship stores, and engine room.
Scott Slaugh. Scott was one of our programmers back in the day.
Scott is Vicki Carter's son in law. Vicki is an assistant superintendent in the Alpine District
Decorating theset would be an interesting challenge. I would use a nautical theme with lots of polished brass. Music, now there's theproblem but still possible. We would have a piano behind a large canvas painting of a large 17th century ship with full sail navigating
the Atlantic. The pianist would have a large selection of music on hand for all scenes and moods. That takes one back to the days of silent cinema. As for the main computer - well without electricity there wouldn't be one but then this entire journey of the imagination wouldn't be real anyway so back to the question: How do we do the computer? Two ideas, one would be a person in a mechanical costume that would walk around under steam power. Another idea would be a person in another room that speaks into a megaphone onto the bridge. OK, we are almost done without 19th century Voyager - all that is missing is the main view screens. No electricity no television so we would use the 19th century version of a slide projector projecting glass slides onto the wall. All of which would have to be prepared ahead of the mission. Don't laugh - sitting on the floor with an overhead projector is how I started in 1983! Wouldn't you enjoy going on a mission in our Victorian Voyager?
Who can forget Bridger Maxwell, another of our outstanding programmers.
Bridger is currently a software engineer at Facebook
The Overnighter was a mixture of public and school. Barratt Elementaryprovided half the campers. We had a pretty good crew overall. We celebrated three birthdays Friday night during ice cream time - Chris Call, Josh Dye, and Shelley Osterkirk. I didn't sleep well Friday evening. Some overnighters I fall asleep quickly; others I'm tossing and turning and awaking to every nose. It doesn't help to have snoring nearby or a young staff member that sits up every half hour and talks in his sleep. I fell asleep around 3:00 A.M. and that make me cranky on Saturday morning - just ask the staff.
Bridger and Scott in the Magellan Control Room working to keep the old gal running
2008
Part way through Saturday morning's mission I was told the Galileo's network was down. Shelley came into the Voyager's Control Room with the news. She said Alex DeBirk had restarted the simulator several times and still no solution. I told her to put someone in the ship to watch the kids work the controls and call them out to the guys in the control section of the ship. After a few minutes I realized that wouldn't work. Alex and Shelley haven't had any experience doing a mission that way. I got my crew in the middle of a "retake the bridge from the bad guys" scene and walked to the cafeteria. I found Alex on the floor looking at the network box. He had Kyle Herring on the cell phone. I jiggled a few wires and it came on. Alex asked me what I'd done. I said something to impress him but in reality I just jiggled a few wires. Those ships can sometimes sense when I'm just in the mood and know they had better straighten up or else it's the emptiness of a space junk yard for them. I'm happy to report that Kendal Duclos. has successfully passed off all of the simulators! We haven't had anyone do that for a year or two now. He got his last pass (Odyssey) this overnighter. Richard Orcutt also completed his Falcon passes giving him his Ranger shirt with one bar on Honor's Night Thursday. I want to remind everyone of Honor's Night this Wednesday evening. We will be retiring Jason Hills as he prepares to enter the MTC in a week or so.
Stacy, Metta, and Richard hanging up Magellan uniforms after the overnight camp.
2008
Monday.......
I wrote the above stuff on Sunday. This is Monday and we just finished our day program. I had to comment on the rough afternoon crew my staff and I suffered through. You know, if even 30% of our crews were like that I'd quit and walk away from this place right now. The captain was one of those chosen by the students ( the most popular kid in the class). Now, this usually isn't a problem but this kid was something else. He spent most of the training time sprawled out, nearly flat on his back, in his captain's chair. He had this look like he was the most bored person God had ever created. His face had no emotion at all. A complete look of apathy. I thought perhaps after the mission started he would come around and perk up. Not a chance! The mission started and he continued in his "Whatever" attitude. His answers and comments were barely understandable. I told him on his headphone that he needed to get into gear and get things moving on the ship because they were running out of time. He told his crew with a smile,"This guy's getting pissed at me," and pointed to his headset. That was it; if he didn't care then neither would I.
Casey Voeks flying the Phoenix while enjoying a snack.
2008
It was the ambassador's turn next and she was almost as bad. Nothing was taken seriously - all of it was a joke. I can't remember a mission commanded by someone only 12 years old but with the attitude of a 14 year old jock. I should have stopped the mission and asked the teacher to replace him. I didn't because I saw the teacher didn't seem to mind his attitude. She sat there on the stool next to the Ambassador talking about whatever. The bridge staff overheard the captain talking to the left wing officer during one of the tense moments of the mission asking him if he was coming over to his house after school!!!
That mission was one for the books. Once again, I can't even remember the last time I had a captain like that. Any other flight directors have captains like that on any of your missions? I'd like to hear about it if you have. Well, the emails are pouring in for the March volunteer positions. I'd better get started on those.
All the Best and have a good week. Mr. Williamson
Imaginarium Theater
The Best Gifs of the Week From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience
