Christa McAuliffe Space Center Honors Staff and Volunteers and Prepares for the Summer Camp Season. Imaginarium Theater

      An Honors Event was held at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center on Friday, May 27th.  I usually refer to these events as Honor's Nights, but considering the gala was held at 10:00 A.M. in the Center's planetarium, the title Honor's Night doesn't apply.

     Tabitha Ricks oversees the Center's volunteer organization and MC'd the event.  There were many honors bestowed and recognitions given so let's get right to it.....

The Founder's Recognition Award

     It was my pleasure to present the Founder's Recognition Award to James Porter at the Honor's Night of May 27 for his years of service and dedication to the Space Center. 

     This award merited a full fledged, written speech and James got one.  He is a remarkable man whose kindness and leadership has kept the Space Center in steady water through the rough times of demolishing the old center and the construction and opening of the new.  Everyone who works with James appreciates his vision and commanding hand as the Space Center continues to new and better things. 

     Because of James, I know that the Space Center is in the safest, capable hands.  He is one of the few people on the planet who has the talent, skill set, knowledge, creativity, education, background, and imagination needed to run an education center like the CMSC.  

     In addition to being a good friend, I can also say that James is an excellent boss. I work for James as a part time Cassini Flight Director in addition to my full time position at Renaissance Academy and The Space Place. I usually fly the Saturday morning 10:00 A.M. flight along with a few camps when my schedule opens up during the summer months.  Both Jon, James, and Bracken (The Space Place) are patient with me and do their best to teach an old dog new tricks :)

     Congratulation James and again, thank you for everything you do as we all strive to create a space faring civilization through our work at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center.

Now, the Rest of the Awards and Honors...  

1.  Welcome to the newest volunteers to join the ranks.

     The Space Center Celebrates new volunteers and greatly appreciates their time, talents and enthusiasm.  I am proud to see new adult volunteers in the mix.  Volunteering at the Space Center isn't just for the young.  Volunteering is for the Young at Heart!  

2.  The Galileo Honored.....

Rylan accepted a Galileo pin from Brylee Perry.  He is certified to work both the ship's bridge and the control room.

 

3.  The Phoenix Honored....

     Scott presented a Phoenix pin to Audrey and Hayden and offered them both his sincere congratulations on sticking it out to the end despite the many obstacles he placed along their path.

4.  The Odyssey Honored.....

     Rylan accepted the Odyssey Pin from Natalie.  That's two ships in one Honor's Event.  Good Job Rylan! 

5.  The Magellan Honored

    Connor was thrilled to present a Magellan pin to Kayla.  Both Kayla and Rylan were in and out of their seats accepting awards throughout the event.  

6.  The Cassini Honored...

     Yes, its Rylan again!  Rylan was easily the most decorated volunteer of the event.  When he sets a goal he sticks with it until the job is done.  Oh, and that's Jon doing the presentation.  Jon is the Cassini Set Director and all around good guy.  

7.  The Falcon Honored...

     Tabitha had the honor of presenting the very first Falcon pass off pin to Kayla.  Kayla has set a high standard for others to follow.  

8.  Apprentice Level Volunteers

 

     The following earned their Apprentice Level Volunteering Patch:  Michael P., Kayla H., Hazel W., Emily W., and Eli E.

9.  Starfighter Level Volunteers.

     The following earned their Apprentice Level Volunteering Patch:  Lexie T., Michael P.,  Kayla H., Hazel W., Emily W., and Eli E.

10.  Hitchhiker Level Volunteer.

     Rylan reached the Hitchhiker Volunteer Level at this Honor's Event.  Can we just say that Rylan stole the show with Kayla in a close second?  

11.  Defender of the Universe Volunteer Level...

     Earning the Defender of the Universe Award was Hyrum S. and Henson D.  Henson was absent. 

12.  New Trainees...

     New Trainees are:  Jackson, Rylan, JJ, Kaleen, and Gracelyn.  A new trainee is someone learning to become either a paid supervisor or a flight director. 

13.  A New Member of the Staff Ranks....

 

     JeWell was absent at the event.  JeWell is joining the Education Department.

14.  A New Assistant Director...

     Mr. Porter proudly announced the promotion of Jason to Asst. Director overseeing Planetarium operations.  Jason has been working in the planetarium for several months and is quite familiar with all Space Center operations.  He will be replacing Dug Pusey who will be retiring at the end of the summer. Congratulations Jason!  

15.  A Moment of Silence for the Space Center's Newest Time Lord.  Scott Wiltbank "Scoot" in the Third Person Please.

Sorry for the black and White photo. The glare of pride and accomplishment  coming from Scott was too much for my iphone.

     Scott Wiltbank was welcomed into Time Lord Fellowship at the Honor's Event by James Porter.  You don't get higher than the Time Lord Years of Service Patch.  It trumps all other levels and gives you the right to strut around the Center as if you own it.  Trust me, I do :)     Congratulations Scott! 

16.  The 15 Years of Service Award...

     Jon Parker was given a somewhat new award, the 15 Years of Service bike reflector accessory award.  Bizarre is the first word that comes to mind, but there is a story behind the award having to do with the old staff, my home, a wand and tiara, and a disturbed evening.  Ask Jon...

The Rest of the Honor's Event...

After the awards, the staff and volunteers gathered in the planetarium 

lobby for 360 degree photo.

Recognize these two old timers?  Natalie, Connor, and I hung out in the 

foyar talking old times.  Natalie is an accomplished author in addition to her job as Odyssey Set Director.  Connor is an accomplished organist and spends the school year in North Carolina. He is he Magellan's Set Director.

The staff and volunteers played games in the foyer during the lunch break

Jade and James.  Jade is another long time Space Center veteran who works at the Space Center part time in addition to his full time work in IT.  We have a good core of older adult staff and volunteers. 

Scott led an afternoon workshop on battle tactics gaming - something fun to be offered to the campers this summer camp season.

Volunteer and staff training continue throughout the afternoon. This session was held in the planetarium.

Of course, not everyone was excited about the workshops.  Ellie and Hayden hung out in the Cassini Control Room and worked on projects.

Audrey found a nice place to crash in the Cassini Control Room. 

Starship Landing Party Security Training was held in the gym

Starship Landing Party Security Training was held in the gym

Starship Landing Party Security Training was held in the gym

Oh, it looks like Jon has arrived and cracked the whip.

"Everyone Back to Work! Camps start next week."

It was time for Bombardment when the Workshops ended.  

Jon carefully reviewed the rules.

Setting a proper example for one gets out.  Hand up and leave the floor graciously.

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American Heritage School's Discovery Space Center and Renaissance Academy's The Space Place Finish Their Seasons of School Based Flights and Programs. What at Success! Training Never Ends at the CMSC. Imaginarium Theater

 

The final crew of the inaugural season for the American Heritage Discovery Space Center in the USS Discovery

This is the final crew of the inaugural season for the American Heritage Discovery Space Center in the USS Discovery. The season was a great success. We ran flights for the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade classes as a part of their science class curriculum. We had fifteen different classes split into two groups for 30 separate squadrons. Each group flew twice, making for sixty flights and 360 students served.

 

Each class attended an initial mission session which informed them of a problem to solve in a laboratory session. The 5th-grade class flew "Intolerance," In the first session, they encountered the Pannae and Pannou races. In their laboratory session, they tested the genetic codes of both aliens and learned that they were identical, which helped them counter the Pannou's racist claims.

 

In sixth grade, the classes flew "Children of Perikoi." After discovering the truth behind the Choosing, the students decide to end it. But now they have to decide what to do with the vacuum they'll leave behind. During their laboratory session, the students determined which basic science principles they will teach the natives and how they will teach them.

 

Seventh and Eighth grade flew "Collision Course." They gathered information on the orbits, black body emissions, and spectroscopy of a new solar system, looking for a habitable world. The crew analyzed this data during the lab session, creating a solar system map and determining each planet's temperatures and chemical makeup. Hence, they knew which planets to visit or send probes to when they returned to the simulator.

 

Our main goal is to continue integrating our mission stories with the middle school science curriculum. We have some great ideas for next year when we expand the program to last all year with more mission sessions and new stories.

Alex DeBirk

American Heritage Discovery Space Center Director

Physics and Engineering Department

The Young Astronauts and Voyagers at Renaissance Academy's The Space Place Finish the School Year Strong!

The Fifth Grade Young Astronauts Tiger Squadron on Their Final Mission of the School Year

Renaissance Academy's The Space Place, American Heritage School's Discovery Space Center, and Telos Academy's Discovery Space Center operate within the Farpoint Universe.  All three school's run school based space education programs.  You read about American Heritage's successful program in the above article.  Congratulations Alex and team on your first year.

  

A Defense Officer manning his station during the final scene of the year long mission

The Space Place's (TSP) school based program finished the school year strong as well.  The majority of Renaissance Academy's 3rd - 9th grade students participated in InfiniD missions in their classrooms overseen by Bracken Funk, TSP's Director.  170 students enrolled in the after school space academy program for grades 3 - 9.  136 missions were flown in the Starship Voyager giving each squadron of 10 students 8 flights stretching from October - May. 

The 5th Tigers in a Break Out Classroom Session with Mr. Funk discussing their Long Duration  Mission Intolerance and how to meet their mission objectives

Next school year The Space Place plans on expanding the InfiniD mission program to more classrooms so that all 750 students at Renaissance Academy in grades K-9 can participate.  The Young Astronauts and Voyager Club programs will continue as well with enrollment starting in September and the first club meetings starting the first week of October. 

The Space Place offers summer space education camps throughout the summer months for grades 3 and up.  To learn more, visit SpaceCampUtah.org.

American Heritage School's Discovery Space Center will not offer a summer program this year because of construction and remodelling at the school. 

Training New Staff, a Never Ending Endeavour at The Christa McAuliffe Space Center 

Hyrum going for a Flight Director Pass last week in the CMSC's Cassini Simulator

Hyrum would like to be a Cassini flight director in the very near future at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center in Pleasant Grove. Standing in his way is Jon Parker, Cassini Set Director.  

Jon Parker watching, listening, analyzing, and note taking during Hyrum's mission

Jon's job is to ensure that Hyrum is fully capable of directing a mission for a paid public crew before he issues a Flight Director License to Hyrum.  Maintaining flight excellence is Jon's goal.  

Ian (blue shirt) was also training a black shirt volunteer in the fine art of running 

the Cassini's IIFX Station

I left before the results were given but based on what I saw, Hyrum did an excellent job.  Whether it was good enough for Jon is another matter.  A Flight Director License is given after a candidate successfully flies 2 test missions.  

The Christa McAuliffe Space Center is so busy with private missions and summer space camps that training is a must.  Regardless of what ship you're in, you can count on the fact that someone will be training during all missions, all summer long.

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The Nighthawk Starship Simulator Leaves Renaissance Academy for a Complete Overhaul at Underfunded Films Shipyards. This Week's Imaginarium Theater

Moving day from Renaissance Academy to the Underfunded Films Warehouse

     The TSC Nighthawk (Terran Space Command - Farpoint Universe) was recently removed from active space service at The Space Place at Renaissance Academy in Lehi and moved to drydock at the Underfunded Films warehouse where it will be gutted, rewired, polished, oiled, de-radiated, and re-equipped with up to date computers.  

The Nighthawk in Drydock for a full refit

     The refit will be under the direction of Admirals Megan Warner and Matthew Long. Megan works at Underfunded Films and The Space Place.  Megan is the Nighthawk's Set Director. For those who don't know Megan, she was the Director of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center from June 2013 - June 2014. 

Alex Anderson, Matt Long, and Megan Warner back in the day

     Matt is the owner of Underfunded Films and a former Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center volunteer, supervisor, and Flight Director from years past.  As a young teenager, Matt built his own starship simulator in his parent's home in Provo.  Space EdVentures has been in his blood ever since.  

     The Nighthawk use to be called the Titan when it was owned by The Discovery Space Center.  It was the company's mobile simulator.  Hundreds and hundreds of miles were put on the ship (even to California a few times) as it moved from place to place preaching the gospel of experiential learning through simulations.

     InfiniD Learning donated the Titan to Renaissance Academy a few years ago. It was renamed Nighthawk when The Space Place adopted the Farpoint Universe.  Sadly, the ship entered shutdown mode when Covid struck and deteriorated over the last two years.

  

The Nighthawk's Interior, gutted and ready for a good refit

     And just when you need a miracle, two angels swoop in and offer to take the Nighthawk and give it the old one - two to get it in tip top shape for thousands of Renaissance Academy Young Astronauts needing the thrill of a lifetime.  Thank you so much Matt Long and Megan Warner!    

     The Nighthawk will return to The Space Place at Renaissance Academy when the work is complete.  

     I asked Megan to write a few words to give us an update on the refit.  

 I’ve taken out the pipes and started in on those metal conduits so far. We have to pretty much completely rewire the ship, since we’re putting in laptops instead of the sticks. The laptops are going to be kept in the control room as opposed to in the ship itself, which means removing the Ethernet and putting in display cables between the control room and the stations. 

     The Nighthawk is the only movable simulator in the fleet of Space EdVentures simulators.  It will be good to have it running again. Who knows, it may even go on a few road trips in the future to show those living in galaxies far far away what we do to make learning FUN!  

Victor

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