Building a New Space Center Isn't an Easy Task, Just ask the Think Tank. Meet this Week's Young Astronauts and Voyagers who Survived the Supernova Long Duration Mission. Construction Update on the New Christa McAuliffe Space Center. Imaginarium Theater.

A Think Tank was Convened to Put the Finishing Touches on the Designs for the Christa McAuliffe Space Center's New Simulators

    

     Last Tuesday James Porter called a meeting of the minds to put the finishing touches on the designs for the simulators going into the new Christa McAuliffe Space Center scheduled to open in the spring of 2020.
     I attended as a member of the CMSC's Advisory Board and as one of the Minds assigned to imagineering the new "Galactica" (working name) along with the Galactica's Set Director, Jon Parker. The brainstorming session was held in the CMSC's Discovery Room.  Those present were divided into their respective simulator teams.   

     Maeson, Orion and Nathan comprised the Galileo Team.  I think Nathan is imagining the new Galileo with gigantic longhorn steer horns attached to the front. 

     Of course I could be wrong about that because I couldn't stay long enough to hear their presentation.  But just imagine the new Galileo with a set of those horns attached directly above the main viewer.  That would get people talking and set the ship apart from the rest.
Don't think James would approve though.

     The Porter brothers made up the "Jupiter" (working title) team.  The "Jupiter" will be the CMSC's largest simulator (sorry Magellan, you'll have to ride in the backseat).  James is the Space Center's director. Stephen is one of those Space Center legends from years back.  

The Odyssey team was composed of Natalie, Lindsey, and Tabitha.  Matt Ricks floated from team to team gathering intel for reasons unknown.  Rumor has it that he will be building the isolinear panels for every ship. If so, that would explain his curiosity.  Another possibility I'm leaning toward is that Matt is an unregistered operative for the Chinese secret service. 

What James wants, James gets; and James wanted Dave Wall at this meeting consulting with Connor Larsen for the new Magellan.  I'm sure it took a bit of persuasion to get Dave to come down into the valley from his home atop Draper Heights but he did it.  

Dave was one of the Space Center's first volunteers, along with his good friends Bill Schuler and Mark Daymont.  Dave designed and built the first Odyssey with his brother Steve.  Dave was the Odyssey's first flight and set director.  

Jordan, Brylee, and Lissa make up the Phoenix Imagineering Team.  They are happy the new Phoenix will be larger than the original. Their biggest problem is what to do with the extra space!  Also, will the new Phoenix have FRP wall panels?  Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. 

James will take the ideas from the think tank to his next meeting with the architects.  

Last Week Another Six Squadrons from the Space Academy's Young Astronauts and Voyager Club Survive the Supernova and Finish the 2018-2019 Long Duration 8 Month Mission Slightly Radiated but in One Piece 

We have nearly 200 Young Astronauts and Voyagers at the Renaissance Space Academy in grades 3 - 8.  They are divided into squadrons of 8-10 cadets.  Young Astronauts and Voyagers participate in a school year long LDMs (Long Duration Missions).  The 3rd grade squadrons encountered an escaped slave who was being hunted by his owner.  The 4-8th grade squadrons ventured deep into the Cardilir Neutral Zone to launch several star probes to study a star on the verge of going supernova.  Classes in leadership, team building, and space science complemented the time spent in the Jumpship Voyager.  

All Space Academy squadrons finish their missions in May. Last week, six of the squadrons completed their missions and received their points and promotions in the Terran Space Command.  We celebrate their successes and achievements.

Congratulations to the 6th Grade Tiger Squadron commanded by Mark.  
Total Points Earned for the Year:  918.  
Monthly Top Team Awards:  4  
Monthly Second Place Awards:  1  
The Team:  Brooklyn, Jackson, Ammon, Savannah, Lalith, Porter, Paige, Quinton, Isaac, Audrey, Mark

Congratulations to the 5-8th Grade Dragon Squadron commanded by Carter.  
Total Points Earned for the Year:  816.  
Monthly Top Team Awards:  3  
Monthly Second Place Awards:  1  
The Team:  Karthikeya, Taylin, Nadia, Kyan, Carter, Lincoln, Max, Anthony, Fenix. 

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Congratulations to the 5th Grade Cobra Squadron commanded by Nathan.  
Total Points Earned for the Year:  892.  
Monthly Top Team Awards:  3  
Monthly Second Place Awards:  1  
The Team:  Brie, Dallin, Juni, Grant, Jerin, Jylian, Kyla, Nathan, Ethan, Hinata.


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Congratulations to the Middle School Tiger Squadron commanded by Gavin.  
Total Points Earned for the Year:  637.  
Monthly Second Place Awards:  1  
The Team:  Aiden, Sydney, Harmony, Tyler, Caleb, Maxwell, Charlee, Gaven.

Congratulations to the 6th Grade Phoenix Squadron commanded by Lincoln.  
Total Points Earned for the Year:  808.  
Monthly Second Place Awards:  1  
The Team:  Dublin, Lincoln, David, Michael, Kai, Oliver, Marcus, Kaden, and Cooper

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Congratulations to the 6th Grade Lion Squadron commanded by Aiden.  
Total Points Earned for the Year:  896.  
Monthly Top Team Awards:  2  
Monthly Second Place Awards:  4  
The Team:  Ammon, Canyon, Charles, Jadon, Stephen, Sebastian, Daniel, Aiden, Kaden, and Myles. 

  

Weekly Construction Update
The New Christa McAuliffe Space Center and Central Elementary School

Pre Construction Photo
The playground as we all remember it.  The new school and space center will occupy the right (north) playground.

Construction continues at full speed on the new Christa McAuliffe Space Center and Central Elementary School in Pleasant Grove with an opening date set for April 2020.  

Construction Continues on the new Central Elementary School and Christa McAuliffe Space Center.  The hole is deeper as they prepare to put in the foundation supports.  You can see a temporary retaining wall built up along the school's new addition. 

Imaginarium Theater

The Best Videoettes from Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience

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Join Me in Congratulating the Space Academy's Young Astronauts and Voyager Club Top Squadrons for the 2018-2019 School Year

We have nearly 200 Young Astronauts and Voyagers at the Renaissance Space Academy in grades 3 - 8.  They are divided into squadrons of 8-10 cadets.  Young Astronauts and Voyagers participate in a school year long LDMs (Long Duration Missions).  The 3rd grade squadrons encountered an escaped slave who was being hunted by his owner.  The 4-8th grade squadrons ventured deep into the Cardilir Neutral Zone to launch several star probes to study a star on the verge of going supernova.  Classes in leadership, team building, and space science complemented the time spent in the Jumpship Voyager. 

All Space Academy squadrons finish their missions in May. Last week, four of the squadrons completed their missions and received their points and promotions in the Terran Space Command.  We celebrate their successes and achievements.

Congratulations to the 6th Cobra Squadron commanded by Italia.  
Total Points Earned:  824.

Congratulations to the 5th Scorpion Squadron commanded by London.  
Total Points Earned:  837.  Top Team Round Awards:  1.  Second Place Awards:  2 

Congratulations to the Middle School Phoenix Squadron commanded by Gavin.  
Total Points Earned:  807.  Top Team Round Awards:  1.  Second Place Awards:  1

Congratulations to the Middle School Lion Squadron commanded by Seth.  
Total Points Earned:  844.  Top Team Round Awards:  3.  Second Place Awards:  1

Friends of the Christa McAuliffe Space Center.  We Need Your Help with a Matching Grant of $100,000. All We Need are Likes!

 

To reach our goal of 5,000 LIKES our friends at doTERRA Essential Oils have pledged $20 for every like on the Christa McAuliffe Space Center Facebook page up to $100,000 as the sponsor of the USS Magellan simulator!

Like our page and tag your friends to help us connect to our community. Over 400,000 participants have enjoyed the Space Center and we want to reconnect with them as we look forward to building our next adventure. It is often that people say, "I didn't even know this existed!" With your help and doTERRA Essential Oils we can share the joy of our program and stop this terrible phrase from being uttered again. Help make a donation today with just a click!

Visit spacecenter.alpineschools.org to learn more about on our new planetarium and simulators under construction.

James Porter

Director

CMSC Legend Dave Wall Added:

Hey all...If you go to the Community section of the Space Center's Facebook page to the right of the page, there is a link to "Invite your friends to like this Page." Click that, select all, write a quick message and click Send Invites. I did that about an hour ago, and seven of my friends have already added their likes. That's $140 in just a first hour to the Space Center for a few moments of my time. YOU CAN MAKE a big difference!

Meet Mason Perry, a Member of the Next Generation of Flight Directors

Mason last Saturday in the Phoenix Control Room

Meet Mason, a member of the next generation of flight directors currently in training at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center.  I found him directing a training mission on the Phoenix last Saturday.  Jordan Smith (top of his head is visible) sat in the doorway taking copious notes to share with him in Mason's post flight debriefing.  

Mason follows a long line of flight directors who can all trace their training history back to FD1 who just happens to be me over the Space Center's nearly 30 years of operations.  He is training in the old Phoenix, and in less than a year's time, he will be flight directing the new Phoenix in the new Space Center.

Mason's time at the Space Center started as a young black shirt volunteer and member of the Voyager Club back in 2016.  I've followed his progress over the last few years with interest.  He is a talented young man with a fondness for wrist watches as highlighted in another Troubadour post from October 2016.  

Mason as a young volunteer

Mason with his Voyager Club LDM Squadron

 Good luck with your training Mason.  Jordan is a good flight director and will train you well. 

Mr. Williamson

Construction Update
The New Christa McAuliffe Space Center and Central Elementary School

Pre Construction Photo
The playground as we all remember it.  The new school and space center will occupy the right (north) playground.

Construction continues at full speed on the new Christa McAuliffe Space Center and Central Elementary School in Pleasant Grove with an opening date set for April 2020.  

From the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center's Archives.  A Post from the Past

April 21, 2003

Mr. Williamson was on the Radio

Hello everyone,

     I just thought I would share what happened to me today at work. I work at a Greenhouse and I was there all day, from 9 to 6. Because it gets so boring, we always listen to channel 105.7 on the radio. For you that don't know what channel that is, it's the "Cutting Edge of Rock". 
     At about 3:40, I was just peacefully watering some plants, then something came on the radio about Education. First thing I thought was "Stupid commercials... I just wanna hear some Disturbed!". I didn't pay much attention to it, then the line "A teacher from Alpine School District" really caught my attention. This commercial, started to talk about Mr. Victor Williamson and the history of the Space Center, and what happens there. 

     Listening to this commercial really gave me the chills. All I thought was, "Holy crap, this is the Space Center! I am amongst the few that volunteer there!" Listening to Utah's best rock station, that was the last thing I would ever expect to show up on the radio. It is amazing how the Space Center reaches out to all over the State. I live Roy, over 80 miles away, and I heard about the space center on the radio. I just couldn't believe that the Space Center was on the radio.

Josh is kneeling next to Alex DeBirk who is in the white shirt.

     I wish I could make it down to the Space Center more often, because I am missing out on History. We are all a part of History here at the Space Center. Who knows, maybe one day a kid will come back, and say thanks to you for being the coolest Doctor on the Voyager, 10 years ago. 

     Mr. Williamson has defiantly set his big footprint down, right smack dab in the middle of History. We all can make our mark in time. Let us just hope that our experience from the Space Center will make us succeed in life, to become another great teacher. Mr. Williamson isn't your ordinary, everyday teacher. Sure, he teaches some ordinary school classes here and there, but that isn't where he really teaches. He teaches the kids that come here everyday. He teaches them to open their minds into another world. A world that has no limit, but our very own imagination. He is a teacher of Mind, Heart, and Soul. He has taught me to be a great worker. Most all of my work habits come from his teachings and guidance. 
     We all should be grateful to know this man. Mr. Williamson's workings has touched so many lives, too many to start counting. I am one of that many. Are you?

Josh Dye

Moderator's Note:
Thank you Josh for your very kind words. I'm glad we've made it to the radio. What you are all hearing is a public service announcement supplied by the State Office of Education (I think). It was written by a good friend of the Space Center. Her name is Charlie. She and her husband live in the Salt Lake Valley and come to the Center whenever they get a chance. A public thank you to Charlie for the writing of the commercial and arranging it to be played on air.

Mr. W.

Imaginarium Theater

The Best Videoettes From Around the World to Teach, Inspire, and Entertain a Gentler Audience

The Space Academy Starts a New Flight Director Training Program. The Christa McAuliffe Space Center Releases Total Volunteer Hours. From the Historical Archives Photos and the Space Center Journal from April 2003. Imaginarium Theater

Flight Director Training Starts Early at the Space Academy Thanks to InfiniD Learning

Tabitha, the first Space Academy student to direct an InfiniD mission from the Voyager's Flight Station.

     Renaissance Academy (RA) students have opportunities unavailable to students anywhere else in Utah through the school's Space Academy. Training to become a supervisor and flight director in the world class Starship Voyager simulator is an example of one of those unique opportunities. 
     This past week the Academy began a new InfiniD Flight Director training program offered to RA's middle school Space Tech and Voyager Club graduates.  InfiniD Learning provides experiential simulation software and missions to schools worldwide.  InfiniD's software is designed to be almost "plug and play" thus making simulator centered experiential learning available to the masses and not just to those students who attend schools with Space EdVenture simulators (brick and mortar) like the Space EdVenture Centers in Utah County. 
     Bracken Funk is the Space Academy's Director of Operations.  Directing InfiniD missions for RA's nearly 900 students is one of Bracken's responsibilities.  After watching one of the school's InfiniD missions, I realized that a competent, well trained, 8th grader could do the job of flight directing an InfiniD mission under Bracken's supervision.  The software is well designed to the task.
     Students who excel as InfiniD Flight Directors would naturally progress through the Academy's training program to become both supervisors and flight directors for the Academy's Young Astronauts / Voyager Club Long Duration Missions and from there springboard into directing private missions and camps. 
     The Space Academy at Renaissance continues to find ways to provide unique STEAM enriched space themed education for hundreds of students every day through the Young Astronauts Club, the Voyager Club, Space Tech, the Space Academy Leadership Training Program, and now the Junior Flight Director Program.  For more information on Renaissance Academy and the its programs visit the school's website renacademy.org.  
For more information on the Space Academy including private missions and summer camps on the Starship Voyager visit the Academy's website SpaceCampUtah.org.

Mr. Williamson

Volunteer Hours Tally. Christa McAuliffe Space Center

Our volunteers are great and we can't say it enough!

Just did some fun tallies as we are combining our current records with older archives that started in the late 90's. Here are two fun facts:

1990-Present = 465 Volunteers/Staff

197,602 hours of RECORDED service

Many of the hours donated live on only in the cherished experiences of our patrons and volunteers. Thanks again to all who have donated over the years.

James Porter
Director 

From the Archives.  The History of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center. Space Center Journal

June 2008.  Mr. Williamson starting another overnight camp with the usual speech including the
Happy Bucket monolog

The Idaho Group Comes Down for their Yearly Overnight Camp. The kids were amazing. One dad insisted his kid's state test be regraded. Clark Planetarium just opened - a report on my first visit.  Several staff and volunteers are graduating from college and high school. 

Today's Post is from April 20, 2003

Hello Troops,
I'm hoping everyone is enjoying his or her Easter vacation. I had plans to get several things done over the break but have yet to sit down and get serious about that list. I've enjoyed staying in bed until the unheard of time of 7:00 A.M. Instead of getting right up and heading to the gym for my usual 6 miles on the treadmill I have chosen one or two hours of TV instead. BBC America's Ground Force is current on my list of favorites. 

The campers politely listening. They really just want to get into the ships
June 2008

We did our usual Spring Break Wednesday evening overnight mission last week. Heber Barzee and his kids from Idaho came down by bus. All day long I kept thinking it was Friday. The rest of the staff felt the same way.  Central's teachers were seen smiling all day long - a sure indication that a vacation was hours away. The numbers were a bit short so I decided to close the Falcon. 

Always happy faces when coming to Space Center overnight camps.

I ordered 13 pizzas from Little Caesars. Feeding the groups from Idaho is a tradition. It is the least we can do considering their drive was over five hours long. Bill Schuler picked up the pizzas and arranged the cafeteria. The bus arrived on time. Kendal Duclos escorted them all to the gym to drop off their belongings. Their next stop was the Briefing Room for their rank certificates. Supper was next on the agenda. I was a bit leery of the group. They looked tired and several were fourteen years old. Older groups can be a handful. I thought I'd have to keep a close watch. My attitude changed as I supervised them in the cafeteria during supper. They were quiet and extremely well behaved. I thought the reason for their model behavior was the fact that their chaperones were standing right there with me. Once they left I thought things would be different. I was wrong and very happy. The kids were great!

The nine oldest of the group chose the Voyager for Greenpeace. Any doubts they wouldn't take this seriously evaporated minutes into the briefing. The attention was fixed on every word coming out of my mouth. After the briefing they asked intelligent questions. Bryson Lystrup took them for loading while I prepared the new rank certificates for the entire camp. After training, both Brady Young and Bryson commented on how "awesome" this crew was. 

By the end of the camp I was heard telling Julie Collette that I'd work for free if all my groups were as good as that group from Idaho! I enjoyed every minute of that mission with them. Similar comments were heard from the Odyssey and Galileo staff. Julie was even more vocal than I on the outstanding performance of her crew. Mark Daymont and the Magellan
staff had the youngest of the campers. They weren't impressed or `depressed' by their crew. They ranked them average. We later learned that the 34 kids were chosen because of their outstanding performance on the Idaho State Test. You just don't pay and come with this group. You must earn your spot on the bus and the kids' work hard to get it. Heber told me that one dad called him demanding that his son's test be regraded. He told Heber that his son had to have the opportunity to come to the Space Center. It was something he had
dreamt of all year and couldn't be stopped because of one test. 

Once again I amazed at what some kids will do to come here and participate in this unique learning environment we have created.  Sometimes we get tired and feel we can't muster the enthusiasm to give another mission, lesson, or briefing our best. Right then we need to step back and remember what coming here means to most kids. The teachers always tell us how EXCITED the kids are when they arrive. Kids will talk about the field trip long afterwards as well. Not many field trips have that kind of effect on kids. We do because
of you! I know that and I hope you do as well. I can't do this alone and I count on each one of you for support, time, and dedication. Take pride in being a volunteer or staff of the Center. This is just one awesome place and it will get better as we work together on new ideas and innovations. 

The crew of the Odyssey trained and ready for warp speed
June 2008

Talk about awesome places I want to take a minute and tell you about the Clark Planetarium. I went up on Saturday afternoon to see the IMAX movie and star show. This was my first time there. The lines for tickets stretched out the door and down the block. The
planetarium opened on April 11. The community's welcome has been overwhelming. The Imax film "Space Station" was brilliant. After the movie we went into the Star Theater for "The Ultimate Universe". David Merrell works in the Star Theater and ran that show. He did an excellent job working with the audience and making everyone feel welcome. The show was fantastic with awesome visual effects created by Clark's own people.  After the show David took us on a `behind the scenes tour' of the theater and the large computer that powers everything. 

Learning to do the paperwork on the Starship Magellan
June 2008

I encourage all of you to get up to the Clark Planetarium before the IMAX movie "Space Station" leaves. Take in a movie and a star show. There is also a nice display area and very large gift shop. Give yourselves a good three hours for the trip. Both David Merrell and
Jennifer Remy work there so you may bump into one of them while you are there. 
Wear your Space Center T-Shirt if you go up. A little publicity never hurts and that is the place where space enthusiasts hang out. 

A gentle reminder to our set and flight directors that your summer stories need to be in high gear and on the front burner. I've arranged times in May for all the simulators to tell their stories for a dress rehearsal. Get going on it now. 

There is good news from another of our volunteers. Jamie Catlett is graduating from UVSC this month with a degree in elementary education. Congratulations Jamie on a job well done. I'm also aware of some high school graduations coming up next month - Julie Collette, Alex Debirk, and AJ Birrell. Some of our old staff will also be graduating in May – Ryan Davis, Shane Skaggs, and Corbin Simmons. Exact dates of each graduation will be posted later. If I've missed anyone please let me know. 

Well, that is about it. Thank you again troops and keep up the good work.

Mr. Williamson

Imaginarium Theater

The Best Videoettes From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience