The Galileo II is Back and is Being Reassembled at American Heritage School's Starship Shipyards. The Galileos Over Time... The Imaginarium Theater.

 Hi Victor, 

I thought you might like to see these photos of the process of getting the Galileo together. Turns out when we put it together we thought all the pieces loaded from the back not from the front! So some of the pictures are us trying to put it together from the back, all of which we had to undo and redo properly from the front. It was quite a bit of tetrising to figure out how to get all of the pieces to the far side of the room so they could load front to back on the frame. But all is together now!

Admiral Alex Debirk

American Heritage School Shipyards

American Heritage High Schoolers Giving the Ship a Good Polish

Facing the back of the room.  They got the ship turned so the nose

of the ship is facing the back wall. You enter the Galileo from the back so the back of the ship had to be at the front of the classroom near the hallway door. 

Getting it turned around

And there it, Nearly Assembled

     The Galileo will fly again once the electronics are installed. It sits in a room next to the Starship Discovery at American Heritage School in American Fork, Utah.  Welcome back Galileo II.

The Three Galileo Starships Over the Years

1999-2009.  Central School Cafeteria

2009 - 2020 .  Central School Cafeteria

2022 - American Heritage School

The New Galileo at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center

2021 - Present

Imaginarium Theater

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The Starships Odyssey and Magellan Have New Set Directors: Introducing Mitch and Tyler. American Heritage School's Space Center Gearing Up for a New Academic Season. Imaginarium Theater

 

Natalie and Connor

     As you read in an earlier Troubadour post, the Christa McAuliffe Space Center bade farewell to Natalie Anderson and Connor Larsen at the end of the summer camp season.  Natalie was the Odyssey's Set Director, Conner was the Magellan's.  Both have retired to pursue life planetside.  Natalie will continue to work as a published author (prepare yourself JK Rowling for the new generation).  Connor will continue his organ studies with the final goal of living in a crumbling castle fortress in the depths of the Black Forest where he can play the organ with such music as to frighten even the ghosts away.  Word has it he is even practicing his sinister laugh.

     With their departure, Mr. James Porter was tasked with appointing replacements.  A extensive search was undertaken from one corner of the Space Center to the other as he looked for the perfect candidates; and after serious consideration, the decision was made. 

Mitch Foote:  Odyssey

 

     Mitch Foote is the new Odyssey Set Director.  By tradition the Odyssey simulator's microphone was to be handed to Mitch by Natalie in a somber and reflective ceremony held in the presence of the Guild of Former Odyssey Set Directors.  Sadly, Natalie and the Guild were unable to attend so Mr. Porter stood in by proxy for Natalie.  Natalie was present in spirit and by photograph - displayed on the Planetarium screen.

Natalie offering the Odyssey's microphone to Mitch

Mr. Porter was Natalie by proxy

     Mitch is a new kind of set director.  Most Set Directors work at the Space Center until they graduate from university and leave when they enter a profession. Mitch, on the other hand, is already established in a profession (computers) and works at the CMSC as a second job. It is his passion for the Space Center's mission that attracted him to the Center as a volunteer just a few years back and kept him there.  With Mitch at the helm, the Odyssey will be in good hands.  And with that said, Natalie can rest knowing she trained a good replacement.  

Tyler Gotcher: Magellan

     Tyler Gotcher is the Magellan's new Set Director.  Tyler started as a volunteer over 5 years ago as a youngling junior high student and found a home away from home in the Magellan. Since then it was one promotion after another until he was nipping at Connor Larsen's heals.  "I feel that kid breathing down my neck," Connor was heard to say in a water fountain conversation (if my memory can be counted on as reliable :)  "I think he wants my job." 

     Conner, your premonition came true.  He has your job.   

Tyler accepting the Magellan's Microphone from Conner

Yes, I had to do a bit of editing

     The Magellan will be in great hands because Tyler learned the trade by working with the best;  Nicole Vandenbos, Conner Larsen, and Jake and Lissa Hadfield.  I don't want to forget Jon Parker, he steps into the Magellan from time to time when the need is great. 

     Congratulations to Mitch and Tyler.  May your stories be true, may the wind be at your backs, may the road rise up to greet you, may the magic of subspace fields shorten every journey and may your staff remember the favors you are owed, may the solar winds of fortune sail you in gentle space, and may it always be the other guy who says this Romulan ale is on me, may luck be a friend and trouble a stranger, may you live as long as you want but never want as long as you live, and may good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.   

     And so say we all...

     Oh, and may Fortuna never know your working schedule...

American Heritage School's Space Center Gearing Up for a New Academic Season.

Alex DeBirk showing me the newly built FD computers

     Alex DeBirk is the director of Space Center at American Heritage School in American Fork.  Last Thursday I stopped by the school to visit Alex and get an update on the Center's start to the new school year.  I met Alex in the hallway outside the Center. He had just come from a meeting with another teacher. They were outlining new missions for the year.

     Our first stop of was the Creativity Lab.  Alex's responsibilities changed over the summer.  A new teacher was hired to oversee the Lab thus freeing Alex to focus all his efforts on his physics classes, space tech classes, and his in school Young Astronaut program for students in grades 5 and up. 

 

The new Creativity Lab at American Heritage School

The new Creativity Lab at American Heritage School

The new Creativity Lab at American Heritage School

3D printing

     The school's Creativity Lab is the where the imagineering takes place. Alex tells the lab's instructor what he needs for the simulators and the lab's students do the planning, designing, and creating.  It is the perfect partnership.  

An Entrance / Exit of the Starship Discovery

The Discovery's Bridge

     Our next stop was the Starship Discovery.  I was surprised to see the ship in a state of repair.  Alex explained that improvements were being made to the ship along with a few new additions to equipment.  The Discovery won't open until January.  Once the ship opens for the school year, Alex will begin the in school Young Astronaut (YA) program for the school's students in grades 5 - 12.  The YA program is held during the school day. Students come to the Center with their teachers on an in school field trip - very much like the model used at the Lion's Gate Center at Lakeview Academy.      

     The next stop was the Galileo Room.  Alex would like to put the ship back together and get it running but is having problems with the fire marshall.  The fire marshall wants a full fire suppression system installed connected to the school's system. That means a sprinklers in the ship, which leads to variety of other problems.  "We will get it figured out," Alex said "although it may take some time."  

   

The front of the Galileo

     The Galileo and Discovery will have side by side control areas. Yes, that means two flight directors sitting side by side in the same room.  

The two flight director stations for the Galileo and Discovery side by side.

     Alex asked if such a thing had been tried before.  "It has," I answered. "We had side by side flight directors at the iWorld's Space Center in Murray back in the day.  It can work but it isn't ideal. The flight directors wore headphones to hear their ships meaning no one else sitting with them could hear anything unless you were plugged into the audio system yourself." 

     "Well, it will have to work because this is the only place I can put the flight directors," Alex replied.

The Galileo's old torpedo/probe equipment units

        Alex is bringing back the Galileo's torpedoes / probes.  They will be repurposing the original equipment and the Creativity Lab will make new equipment.

     Alex's Space Tech classes are a hit at the school. Alex has high school students broken into 4 guilds:  story writing, programming, animating, and flight directing.  They are working on several projects. I'll be writing a few missions for them to be animated by the guild.  

     The Space Center at American Heritage is moving ahead warp speed with its programs. The current space center will be dismantled in a few years and will be moved into a floor of its own in the school's new high school building soon to start construction on the large field just north of the current building.  Alex will be one busy center director for the foreseeable future.  

Imaginarium Theater

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Honor's Night at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center: The Clans Gathered. Many Honors Were Given. No Tears Shed But Smiles Were Plenty. Imaginarium Theater

     And just like that, the summer was gone.  The starships at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center did their duty ferrying hundreds of 10 to 15 year olds on adventures from one sphere of space time to another, across the vast galactic realms, facing nearly impossible adversaries brought to life in living color by the talented staff and volunteers.

     Tradition calls for the gathering of tribes to celebrate the season's achievements. And so the call went forth calling all chieftains and clans to the gathering place to honor those who found glory in story and to say farewell to others who heard the siren's call and set sail into the ocean of possibilities. 

Shall we begin?

Honors Night: The Clans Gather            

   The call to assemble came shortly after 7:00 P.M. by Chieftain Porter.  Most clansman sat with their kin. The log nearest the fire was by tradition held for the elders, namely myself and Jade of the MacHansens.  

    The first item for discussion was general cleanliness.  "Aye, let there be a clean campsite for a nod’s as guid as a wink tae a blind horse," Chieftain Porter emphasized.  Most were quick to understand the remarks were steered toward the barbarians of Icewind Dale who are not remembered for knowing that place for everything.  

     Speaking of the Barbarians of Icewind Dale, the next topic for the gathering was personal cleanliness.  

     "Are ye saying we foul the wind?" said the Icewind Chief, who, may it be said, sat mysteriously alone. "Yer bum's oot the wind with that remark!"  

     Chieftain Porter thought a moment before replying, "Look abut ye man - a lesson is ta be learned."  

     Clan growth was highlighted. Volunteer numbers hit the century mark and those on staff are at 33.  

     The camps for the wee bairns was pure dead brilliant!  Soon the bairns will be properly trained to deal with the English.  

    Matthew of the northern MacRicks and his braw engineers were celebrated.  They made a gadget for the Galileo which supposedly can turn water into wine. It is also good at re-inverting the bionic electro-ceramic bio-containers, and detecting anomolous power signatures in the tantulum containment core booster.  

Galileo Honors

     Brylee of the Bally MacPerrys awarded Kayla and Aiden their Galileo pass pins.  

Phoenix Honors

     Silver of the Strathclyde MacPerrys was quick to shake the hands of Jackson, Michael, and Brylee on the occasion of their receiving the Phoenix pass pin.  

Odyssey Honors

    Mitch, the new Odyssey chief, brought Kayla back to the floor for the presenting of the Odyssey pass pin.  

Magellan Honors

     Tyler, the new Magellan chief, presented his picks for the Magellan pass pins: Aiden, Noah, Michael, and Amberly.  

Aiden, Jackson, Kayla, Micah, Michael, and Rachel. Jon at the front

Missing is Emily W.

Cassini Honors

     Jon, of the Highland MacParkers, was rumored to be lookin a bit peely-wally in the head for delivering so many to the floor for their Cassini pass pins.  

     "Ma hied's mince," said one wee bairn behind me, "How's this possible."  

     "Keep yer head," I answered back.  "Each one is well deserved. That Jon knows how to steer a cart across a balley tempest."  And with that said, the matter was dropped.

Apprentice (100 volunteer hours)

          Called to the floor to receive their Apprentice patches were Addison P., Alex R., Amberly P., Grace M., Micah C., Mo' W.,  Nathaniel G., Porter C., Rachel J., and Sterling D. 

5 Years of Service Award 

     Micah C., and Jeff G., both were awarded their 5 year recognition at the gathering.  Jeff wasn't in attendance. Micah of the Shetland MacCleggs was and took the hand of Chieftain Porter in gratitude.  Micah was asked to make a wee speech.  He did and did himself proud.  There were no slurrings and no cussing which all know is common among the MacCleggs. 

The Starfighters (2 years volunteering)

     A Starfighter, what every wee bairn wants to be when they grow up.  Ten reached that level in volunteer service over the last several months and were honored at the gathering. 

The Hitchhikers 

     While not a flattering name, it is an honor nevertheless. These four have gone above and beyond in volunteer service and hours and reach Hitchhiker status.  As Chieftain Porter said, "The Space Center would be nothing without the volunteers."  The gathering thanked them for their service.   

 

Defender of the Universe

     What a thing to put on Jackson's cv, "Defender of the Universe".  What future university or employer could let his resume pass without notice?  

     "So Jackson, I see that you are a Defender of the Universe.  Please explain."  

     To which Jackson will reply, "Do you have an hour and a surviving sense of wonder?"

     Congratulations Jackson on your achievement!  And let it be said that the volunteer hours spent to receive this award do not include the many many many many many hours he spent on trains and busses to get to the Space Center.  What a kid!

Time Lord

     The gathering of the clans sat in reverent silence for JJ as his tribute played across the planetarium screen.  He started as a wee bairn ten years ago just barely able to lift a battle axe and now commands starships.  

     I've had the pleasure to work alongside JJ in the Cassini. His imagination and drive to innovate and improve the work we do at the Space Center is impressive and exhausting. Right now we're teaching him this simple phrase: "Let's think this through."  :)

     JJ, you keep thinking outside the box:  "Innovate, Improve, or get out the way" is his slogan of the day.  Congratulations JJ. 

Mentor

     Aiden received his Supervisor Blues at Honor's Night as a Mentor. 

New Trainees

     Addison and Micah are both inducted into the Trainees, meaning they've impressed the Center's Set Directors with their talent to the point where they will be taken under someone's wing and trained in the Ways of the Warrior.  

     And if you're wondering, Micah did his best to steal all the thunder at the gathering.  

New Set Directors

     There were two new set directors named at Honor's Night. Their appointment deserves a separate post so look for that next week.  

Summer's Lord of the Votes

Jackson, Amberly, and Michael

     What grand titles for the summer's Lord of the Votes winners.  Here they are, the best of the best at smoozing up to the campers with things like, "Hey lookin good, are you loosing weight?" and "Hey, between you and me, we all think you're the best on the crew.  Keep that between us - ok."  

     In reality, they got top votes for being good at what they do, tending to the campers and playing great acting rolls.  Congratulations!  

Top Flight Director for the Summer

    Scott, I surrender any hope I may have now, and in the future of ever beating you at Top Flight Director. You are the one, the man, the Supremo of Supremos, the Keeper of the Mic, the Voice of Voices, the true Troubadour! 

     There, I said it. Scott can now fade into the sunset a happy man.......... Congratulations Scott; the honor is well deserved. You are truly gifted in the control room.  Come watch Scott fly the Phoenix if you want to see a master craftsman at work.    

           

The Best Summer Story

     I wrote both the USS Canada and The Fugitive so I'm happy to see the Fugitive in 2nd place.  Hey, all the summer missions did great - just look at the point spread.  It isn't that much. 

     Let us all congratulate the Odyssey on Plight of Thieves.  I've not see the mission but it must be fantastic! 

      

Mitch, Lindsey, and Nolan.  Absent is Natalie.

The Odyssey's Flight Directing Staff

Top Simulator

Mitch, Hayden, and Audrey.  Absent; Scott

The Phoenix Staff

Top Ship for the Summer Camp Season

     It couldn't go to a better ship.  The Phoenix has truly found its place in the Space Center's history book.  Congratulations Silver (Set Director) and staff for an outstanding job in leading the way. Top simulator and Top Flight Director, the perfect combination.  

     Just remember this old saying, "Uneasy is the head that wears the crown."  There are rumors afloat that clandestine meetings are being held in dark alleyways and unsavory pubs regarding next summer's missions.  Mind you, just rumors.  

 

Final Words from the Chieftain to the Clans

     The evening ended with a few wee words from the Chieftain, James MacPorter.  "Look ye at comparisons from the last year to this. What a bonnie summer its been. Now put that in yer bonnet as ye take to the road and remember to haste ye back.  The wind is blowing words of a busy school year so yer strong arm and back are needed.  Now go and don't dawdle too long, yer rides may be waitin."  

     And with that the gathering dismissed.  

Mr. Williamson's Imaginarium Theater

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