The USS Galileo II Finds a New Home at American Heritage School. A Report on the School's New Space Center. The Phoenix Launches at the CMSC! Four More to Go. New Panels in the Simulators. The Space Center History in T-Shirts. The Imaginarium Theater.

The Galileo II Being Reassembled at the American Heritage Space Center in American Fork 

                      Alex Debirk and Matt Long helping Kyle Herring with the 

                              construction of the Galileo II.  Summer 2009

     Exciting things are happening in the Space EdVentures community despite Covid.  I start today's Troubadour post with an update by Alex DeBirk from the American Heritage School's Creative Lab with an update on that school's space center under construction. Isn't it great to see the Galileo in its new home?  And now Alex's update.

Victor 

Hi Victor,

     Things are moving ahead with the American Heritage School program. Our building is now enclosed, but still being finished. The Galileo was moved into the second floor a couple of weeks ago, and this summer we will be building a sister ship to go along with it. Next to the sister ship we will be building the AHS creativity lab. This facility will house a full wood shop, metal shop, costume shop, video production studio, electronics, etc. The idea is to have as few limits as possible. In the AHS program, we are trying to pair the inspiration of the simulators with STEM facilities that allow students to carry those ideas to fruition. 

     Above is a picture of the Galileo in its new home; this entire floor, everything that you can see, will be dedicated to the simulators and creativity lab. 

     The picture above is the first project inspired by our center: an antimatter fuel cell. This fuel cell has a single, large, copper sulfate crystal (grown at AHS) encased in resin and lit by lasers and lights to simulate a large antimatter crystal suspended magnetically. It is programmed and wired to allow multiple power states and even has a battery backup in the cap, where if the students unplug the cell from the ship, Lights will slowly turn off over 10 minutes before indicating that the battery that suspends the antimatter has died, the antimatter has touched the edge, and the ship has exploded. Pretty neat. What I hope is that the simulators, coupled with this creativity lab, will allow the simulator concept you began to go further than ever before.

Alex Debirk

American Heritage School Space Center

The Phoenix II Launches from the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. 

       Jordan Smith and Scott Wiltbank in the Phoenix Control Room on Saturday

                                               

     More exciting news from Utah's space education centers.  The Christa McAuliffe Space Center launched the new Phoenix on Saturday.  The Phoenix II is the second of the Center's six simulators to open. The Odyssey opened for mission a few weeks ago. Reservations are still limited to family groups only until government restrictions are lifted. You can reserve a 2.5 hour mission in the Phoenix for 5-7 participants for $105.

The Phoenix Test Mission: The First Group

Visit the CMSC website to make your next flight reservation: https://spacecenter.alpineschools.org/group-missions/

New Panels Being Installed at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center

     James Porter has many pots on the fire at the moment with the new simulators getting ready to open and the planetarium.  These control panels are currently on the front burner and they're coming along nicely. This panel was installed over the weekend with many more to come.  

                     

     My hat is off to James. Not many people know what it takes to run a Space EdVentures space center. He is a gifted and talented teacher and administrator and the best man for the job. It is as if he's been training for this position since his high school days :)  

The History of the Christa McAuliffe Space Center in T-Shirts.

The CMSC had some gems from the past donated to their archives. Thank you to Kathy Gover for bringing them in rather than throwing them out. These shirts belong to her sons Cory and Ben Gover, two of my outstanding early Young Astronauts at Central Elementary school.

The blue Young Astronaut shirt style was the shirt worn by my Young Astronauts when we travelled to International Young Astronaut conventions in Florida, Oklahoma, Japan, and South Korea. The blue shirt pre-dated the construction of the first Space Center.

The Pegasus shirt was my Young Astronaut Club's first t-shirt dating from the late 1980's. The Pegasus was my classroom simulator with poster board controls.

The gray Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center shirt was the first t-shirt made after the CMSEC opened in 1990.

Do you have old Space Center memorabilia from the past that you'd like to donate to Space Center's archives. If so, please contact me at SpaceCampUtah@gmail.com or James Porter at SpaceCenter@alpinedistrict.org.

Victor

Imaginarium Theater

The Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience.

Troubadour Society Editor Reprimanded Over Two Space Center Weddings. An Apology Issued to the Couples. Mr. Williamson Stumbles and Stutters but Survives. From the Archives: Odyssey and Galileo's New Logos and Pins. Imaginarium Theater.

Dear Candy

The Troubadour's Society Editor Nearly Fired for Incompetence.

Dear Candy, editor of The Troubadour's Society Column, received a strongly worded reprimand yesterday from the blog's editorial staff for her failure to report on two of the year's biggest events.  A source close to Dear Candy texted that the award winning gossip was shaken to the core by the letter. "She is on her second box of chocolates. There's no way to console her after she opens her second box," the source reported. "We just have to let it play out."

Troubadour management released a statement explaining the need for the letter. 

Dear Candy failed to report on the marriages of Matt and Tabitha Ricks and Mason and Tawnia Edmondson.  Matt, Tabitha, and Mason are long time Space Center employees and listed on the Space Center's Staff Site as "Nearly Irreplaceable".  Only a few Space Center employees are classified as such. Such a gaffe on Dear Candy's part illustrates a serious lack of judgement and possibly an early sign of dementia. A medical examination may be required for her to remain The Troubadour's society editor: someone who is fluent in the trade of gossip and ciphering idle chit chat from reportable, reliable news.

The Troubadour apologizes to both couples for the error and wishes them the very best for the future.

And now the news Dear Candy failed to report......

Matt and Tabitha met and fell in love at the Space Center. Both started as volunteers years ago and worked their way up through the ranks to the "Nearly Irreplaceable" level.  Matt is a friend and supporter to both the CMSC and the Renaissance Space Academy. He is a programmer and the "go to" person when all else fails.  

Tabitha is the "all around" person at the Space Center. She works as a flight director in the Odyssey and a navigator in the Planetarium. In fact, I sure Tabitha has a hand in every Space Center program and event. I've come to know her as the person you want beside you when things go south.      

 

Mason proposed to Tawnia on the bridge of the Starship Voyager. He dropped to one knee as he was giving her a tour of the mothership of all Space EdVenture simulators. This proposal demonstrated his fondness and commitment to the program he has been a part of since high school.

Mason is studying computer science at UVU and works at the Space Center as a planetarium navigator, programmer, field trip educator, and flight director. The couple live in Pleasant Grove.  

Mr. Williamson Stumbles and Stutters His Way Through His First Planetarium Show. 

Well folks, I got through my almost solo flight as a Space Center Navigator yesterday. Thankfully I had Tabitha to my right whose kind background whispering helped me correct a factual error or two that slipped out while thinking of how to gracefully segway from one majestic planetarium scene to the next.

     

"The light from the sun takes 8 minutes to reach us, not 8 seconds," was the first corrective whisper heard over my right shoulder. Yes, every teacher of astronomy knows that, so why I said 8 seconds is a mystery. I blame old age. Some of her corrective whispers were to remind me which buttons to push and others were to tell me to stop double clicking the mouse.  There was one reminder I needed that I didn't get. I needed Tabitha to remind me to breath :) 

It's unnerving to display the wonders of the universe on the Space Center's majestic dome while trying to read a script while at the same time trying to adlib said script to avoid the impression that I was reading a script (did you get all of that?). Gratefully Tabitha was there to help and guide me along. 

One example of her professionalism was the time the computer froze up with the spiral of death.  I looked at Tabitha, pointed to the spinning wheel, scooted my chair back, and let her know that the error I must have cause with a careless mouse click was her's to solve.  She handled it like a pro by correcting the glitch while continuing a calm pleasant conversation with the audience. I'm sure they had no hint of the panic in the Crow's Nest. 

Lorraine Houston was there to brush up on her planetarium skills. She sat to my left. I'm grateful she kept her laughing under her breath and away from my ears.

Whether or not Tabitha wants to continue my training is debatable. I'm sure she will wear a helmet the next time I run a show with her. Perhaps I'll find training wheels on each side of the Crow's Nest desk as well. 

Mr. Williamson 

From the Archives.  Two Simulators Receive their New Logos and Pins

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009

Odyssey's New Pin

Hello Troops,
This is the new pin designed by Dave Daymont with input from several other staff that happened to be passing the computer when he revealed it to the universe. It arrived just in time for Honor's Night, held last Thursday. The package came from China. I got its tracking number from the Internet and had a semi enjoyable time watching it make the hop skip and jump from China to Hong Kong to Alaska to Seattle to Salt Lake and then finally Pleasant Grove. All in two days (and they say faster than light speed travel is impossible. NASA isn't consulting the right people. I say bring UPS on board. They'll show you how to get things delivered quickly. If NASA can get a probe to Mars in less than a years time UPS should be able to do it in a week. Remember, Brown can do it!)

Odyssey's Set Director is Emily Perry. She has a team of flight directors that do an excellent job keeping the Space Center's busiest simulator in tip top shape.

The Odyssey pin is available for sale in our small gift corner located in the Discover Room. Buy a pin and make Emily and her staff smile. Buy two pins and you get a hand shake and a two minute audience. Three pins and you've made friends for life!

Mr. Williamson

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2009

The New Galileo Pin!

Hello Troops,
As mentioned in an earlier post, the Space Center is revealing our new ship pins. A few posts earlier you saw the Odyssey's. Today I present THE GALILEO! (pretend you hear an orchestra going at full throttle, drums banging, cymbals clashing and fireworks exploding over head. You should duck. Have you ever been hit in the head with the shredded casing of a firework? I have. Stadium of Fire several years ago. I won't labor you with the details. I just wanted you to know why I suggested you duck)

Enough of the celebration. Now let's get down to details. This beautiful pin was designed by Stacy Carrol, Set Director of the Galileo. The stars were added by Dave Daymont. I provided support and enormous amounts of encouragement. I was there in spirit almost offering opinions on the design and very nearly giving my thoughts on the color scheme. I just wanted everyone to know how much of this pin could have been my own design had I taken the time to collaborate with Stacy.

This beautiful pin is on sale at the Space Center for $5.00. I can't imagine not owning one. Can you? Don't be the last on your block to buy a Galileo pin. Be with the 'in' crowd. Purchase your pin today.

Coming up next....... THE VOYAGER PIN. The excitement may be too much for our younger readers.

Mr. Williamson

Imaginarium Theater

The Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience.

     

Bill Schuler is Building a Real Eye Catcher for the Space Center. I Think I'm Ready to Take the Universe's Helm. From the Archives: Celebrating the Work of the Space Center's Field Trip Educators. Imaginarium Theater.

Bill Schuler

Space Center campers, volunteers, and staff remember Bill Schuler from his 20 years at the Center playing two primary characters in many Voyager missions: Mad Dog (leader of the Orion Pirates) and Admiral Schuler. In addition to his characters, Bill was a Space Center educator and video illustrator for many missions.

Bill retired from active Space Center service several years ago but that hasn't stopped him from adding his special touch to the educational mission of the Center. Today Bill builds the rocket models on display in the Space Center's lobby. This week Bill received a Dragon 1/72 scale Saturn V. It is huge at a little over 5 feet tall. In the photo you can see his 1/72 scale Mercury Redstone on the floor. His right hand shows roughly how tall the finished Saturn V will be - major size difference. This will be a real attention getter.

Thank you Bill for your continued service to the Space Center.

I Think I'm Ready to Take the Universe's Helm.

 Hello Space Fans!

     I was Tabitha Ricks' second chair up in the Crow's Nest at the Space Center's Planetarium on Saturday.  What a view of the universe you get from up there!  Being in the trainee's chair meant that I looked but did not touch.  No messing around in experimentation mode with the paying public. Tabitha excelled at the helm, skillfully guiding our audience from Utah Valley to Betelgeuse and the Pleiades and home again with stops at the sun,Jupiter,Saturn,Mars and various points in between.   There were a few glitches which only Tabitha and I knew about. She was too good at hiding such things from the audience.  

  

     CMSC Planetarium presenters are called Navigators. All planetarium shows start with the Navigator's personal greeting from the floor. Above the Navigator are images showing the do's and don'ts everyone is expected to follow during the adventure.  "Motion sickness bags are located to the side of every chair," Tabitha said before explaining how to properly fit the floatation devices kept under the chairs should we suffer an inflight emergency and need to land in one of Titan's methane seas (I'm kidding about the bags and the devices, but I think I'll add such things to my welcome just to add a bit of Mr. Williamson to the show :)

     The lights were dimmed and the show began. 

The Beginner's Guide to the Galaxy is perfect for celestial novices who want the basics without all the scientific jargon; a perfect show for parents and children who love space and want to learn more.  

     Tabitha was good; quite able to do the show as written. What impressed me were those other moments when a member of the audience asked a question and she jumped off script to illustrate her answer. With on hand working the keyboard and the other navigating the mouse, she projected planets and a multitude of other  celestial objects not included in the basic script - all to answer that question.  It will be awhile before I'm that good. 

      After the show Tabitha slid her chair back, turned to me and said the helm was mine.  There was no hesitation in my reply. With her at my side answering questions, I found my way through the show.  When all was said and done, I felt confident enough to put my name down for the 1:20 P.M. show this upcoming Saturday.  Tabitha will be there to help me when I inevitably mess things up, but with the tutoring I've received so far from Doug, Matt, and Tabitha I feel I am capable of presenting a decent show.  Wish me luck. I'll give you a full  report next post.  

Mr. Williamson  

From the Archives

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009

Sheila

A Class Act. Redcoats to the Rescue

 By Sheila Powell (Saint Sheila) . Space Center Educator.

     The Space Center really has two personalities: 1) The ship flight directors/support crews and the educational staff. While the flight directors and their staffs are busily engaged torturing children in the simulators, there is another group of hard-working folks busily working to keep the "second field trip" group engaged with activities in the Star Lab and Discovery classroom. The educational staff members include Lorraine Houston, (myself) Sheila Powell, Aleta Clegg, and Megan Warner. Out-of-site and out-of-mind during the morning field trips simulations, these ladies handle wound-up, excited (occasionally rude and unruly-yikes!) classes of field trip classes in the Star Lab, Classroom, lunchroom and preparing the students for their flights. 

     We have a tight schedule to follow…just as in the simulators…"Have those kids ready for transport at 11:45 am sharp!" But prior to this, they must gather the school lunches off the busses and get them into the lunchrooms, brief the students on CMSEC/Central Elem behavior expectations, take the kids on potty breaks, move the kids through the school to the Star Lab and the Discovery Classroom, make sure they have a quick lunch, and get them properly lined up and introduced to the transportation procedures all before 11:45 am Sharp!!! A daily juggling act of time vs. student/class needs!!! Sheila, the newcomer, has been leading the morning classes, while Lorraine assists on the Voyager. Then, Lorraine, takes the morning simulation group into the Star Lab and Classroom. Aleta was the designer of the amazing classroom experience! Aleta and Megan love occasionally taking a break from flight directing the Odyssey and Phoenix to cover the classes as well….which gives Lorraine and Sheila a break.
     These "classroom warriors" loosely call themselves the "Redcoats", because there are days (unbeknownst to one another), when they all wear red jackets or sweaters all on the same day. Their jobs in the Star lab (a student called it the "Star Igloo" the other day..hahahhhaha), classroom and moving the kids through the school is tough…just like in the simulators. As the Flight directors struggle with incohesive groups during a mission…the education members struggle as well. 

     Here's the difference, though, between the simulation groups and the classroom groups: The flight directors can torture the non-cooperative groups with tough alien negotiations and help from "Tex"…the classroom directors must deal upfront with rude comments, noise and disruptions in the Star lab and classroom settings. Handling the classroom experiences can be tough, but SO rewarding at the same time. There are days when the groups are talkative and refuse to listen and behave…Whew, those are tough classes! On those days, the Star lab is shut down early &/or the classroom experience is "simplified" just to get through the time. Too bad, because the class is missing out on some fine inspired learning!

     On the other days--when the classes and teachers are well - behaved, engaged and prepared--the morning and afternoon field trip classes are so much fun to teach! The kids are excited and willing to learn! they ask lots of great questions and appreciate what the education staff are presenting to them. Those days are memorable and fun to teach for the educational staff!!!!
     Needless to say, then while the flight directors and crews are directing student field trip groups in the morning…so are the "Red-coats" directing students through "the other aspect"…the educational side…through CMSEC at the same time. We are all working together to provide a one-of-a-kind, unique experience for kids….and loving every minute of the experience. No matter what kind of classes come our way!! Both "sides" of CMSEC staff handle the daily challenges the individual school/classes present to us! Separate, maybe at times, but all of us are working together as an amazing group that thrills, inspired and amazes children daily!!!!

Sheila

Mr. Williamson's Imaginarium Theater

The best videos from around the world edited for a gentler audience.

Imaginarium Theater February 21, 2021 from SpaceCampUtah's Imaginarium on Vimeo.