In Today's Troubadour
Watch the launch and landing of the capsule from inside. The panoramic views from the large windows is breathtaking. With NASA, Blue Origin, and SpaceX the United States will maintain its dominant position as the leading nation in space exploration and development. Space education in the schools is the natural next step. Renaissance Academy's Young Astronaut Program is one example of a successful school based space education club. Using a youngster's natural curiosity about space, the Young Astronauts curriculum combines both science and science fiction into a two part after school club experience consisting of classroom lessons tied to missions in the school's Voyager Starship Simulator. For more information contact me: vwilliamson@renacademy.org.
The Christa McAuliffe Space Center on KSL TV
The CMSC was highlighted on KSL a few days ago during the morning news.
From The Troubadour's Archives. Life at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center
One of the Founding Purposes of the Christa McAuliffe Space Center
I've been going back recently to the previous posts we've had on the goals, vision, or finding a mantra for the Space Center. In doing so I was reminded of a conversation with Victor Williamson from a long time ago, which has stuck with me all this time. This was from the early days, when the Space Center was really just the Voyager and the classroom (which now has 2 simulators in it!). It was a time when Vic, Bill Schuler, Dave Wall and I used to get together for brainstorming sessions.
Sometimes Vic would refer to his original ideas for the Space Center's development, and one time he made a profound statement about the real, true purpose of why he built the Space Center and what he hoped it would do. Besides the obvious benefit of inspiring kids to learn about space, science, and mathematics, there was a higher, more subliminal goal: he wanted kids to become space- enthusiast voters!
There's been a saying around NASA ever since its early days: No Bucks, No Buck Rogers. Which means to say, that without the funding, there would be no space program and no astronaut heroes. Vic's idea, which I totally supported, was that we wanted kids to retain their enthusiasm for space exploration even up to their adulthood, when they would become voters who would elect officials friendly to the space program. These days, that vision of Vic's has become even more vital. Because today, there is a war being waged over the relatively little funding that is set aside for space exploration. It can only be won on the political battlefield through the efforts of participating, and voting, space supporters.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2009
Thank you so much for a wonderful experience at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center. Our students enjoyed the Space Center so much they wanted to go back the next day. When I asked the entire group to rate their experience with a thumbs up for "gas tank" full or thumbs down for "gas tank" empty, every student except one had their thumbs straight up. Many of the students were jumping up and down, holding their hands across their mouths as if to control the shouts of joy. I even had one student say that the experience, "changed my life". Wondering why one of the students had his hand at "half full", I ask him if there was anything wrong. He told me he got a little sick on the bus ride and didn't feel very well the rest of the field trip.
I enjoyed accompanying the students on this field trip. I was so curious to see how the students would do and what they would think about the experience. I had a great time watching the students in action and in their individual roles. It was a treat to see them all engaged in a 'mission' and figuring out how to work together 'for real'. However, the biggest treat was to see how excited they were on the bus home. I thought they would be exhausted! However, the bus was buzzing with excitement about their mission, position on the ship, what decisions they had to make, and what they think they will do next time.
As educators, we usually don't hear what the students say when they go home. Therefore, I wanted to take a minute to let you all know that what you do is phenomenal. The Space Education Center may be quite routine for you and your staff, however the students who visited on Dec 4 discovered a new world of opportunities. Thank you!
Thanks for all you do!
Camine Fuhriman
Discovery Coordinator
Entheos Academy
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010
Our First Camper of the Decade
Benjamin's Database Entry. One Interesting yet Small Item for the History BooksIt's 4:11 P.M. on Saturday. Four of our five ships are running January's Super Saturday. I'm working on updated and entering information for the camper's new Rank Papers. As I was typing names into the database I came across a young boy named Benjamin G.
I typed in his first name.
I typed in his last name.
I typed in his new Flight Hours
I typed in his new Class Hours.
I typed in his grade
I started to type in his birthday and stopped cold. I saw a 00 as his birth year. For a moment I thought the volunteer at the sign in table messed things ups on Benjamin's handwritten Sign In Sheet and either didn't hear him correctly or had the worst handwriting in Utah.
I looked back at his grade. Benjamin was in 4th grade and turned 10 on January 3rd. Turning 10 made him eligible for Super Saturdays and Overnight Camps. It dawned on me right then that this boy really was born in 2000. That is why I saw 00 on his form.
Troops, it was one of those "ah ha" moments. I was typing the first Rank Advancement Paper ever for someone born in the year 2000. There will be many many more to come but little 10 year old Benjamin was the first.
Mr. Williamson
The Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience
