Contact Victor Williamson with your questions about simulator based experiential education programs for your school.
SpaceCampUtah@gmail.com

Sunday, July 30, 2023

The Christa McAuliffe Space Center Welcomes a New Member of the Few, The Proud, and the Chosen. The Rooms of Transformation Judicially Hidden From View at Utah Valley's Space EdVenture Centers. This Week's Imaginarium Theater



              Emily W in the Odyssey's Inner Sanctum Holding the Wand of Power 

     Once Emily was a happy Space Center volunteer, earning her simulator passes, and dreaming of the day when she too could sit in a Flight Director's chair and hold in her hands the simulated lives of hundreds of Odyssey crew.  
     Today Emily's dream became reality.  Emily is the Christa McAuliffe Space Center's newest Flight Director. The Supreme Commander of All Space Forces, James Porter, offered the promotion after observing her fly one of the Space Center's Day Camps last week.  When asked to comment on her promotion, James Porter replied,"The color of her shirt speaks for itself. She wouldn't be wearing the Navy Blues if it wasn't deserved. And she deserves it."  
     Standing beside the Supreme Commander was Mitch Foote, the Odyssey's Set Director. When asked for his thoughts Mitch replied,  "Emily is one of those outstanding volunteers who set goals and reaches them.  If I wasn't as good as I am at being the Odyssey's Set Director, I'd be worried about Emily's meteoric rise to power. She's the type of person who isn't happy until she reaches the top."  Mitch's answer was intended to be taken tongue in cheek but this author detected an uneasiness in his voice combined with a wariness in stance that spoke otherwise.  


    At the sound of the gong, a hush descended over the Odyssey's Bridge as Emily stepped forward to accept her Navy Blues from the Supreme Commander. Positioned around the Starship Odyssey were Starbase Williamson's Ships of the Line: Magellan, Cassini, Galileo, and Phoenix - all prepared to release a phaser light show upon the completion of her oath. 
The Falcon was also detected on extreme long range sensors at full stop, wanting to participate in the salute - but at a reasonable distance. 
     Emily accepted her Navy Blues, then rose her right hand and took the Flight Director's Oath, the key to unlocking the doors to the Flight Director's Guild.   

 "I pledge to honor the training and craftsmanship of the flight directors who trained me. I pledge to set a proper example of professionalism for my staff, volunteers, and crew. I promise to lead and guide my crews by adhering to the mission's goals and objectives. I promise to honor the pioneering spirit of the first ship Voyager by continuing to learn and improve upon my craft. These things I will do until I lay my microphone down."

     And with those simple words, another name was added to the Odyssey's list of outstanding flight directors with Dave Wall's name at the Beginning, and now Emily's occupying the last position.  

     Congratulations Emily on your Navy Blues. 

Mr. Williamson

 

The Rooms of Transformation Judicially Hidden From View at Utah Valley's Space EdVenture Centers


Two Volunteers Exit the CMSC's Room of Transformation 
not quite themselves

Welcome to the wondrous and enchanting Rooms of Transformation! Nestled deep within hidden corners of Utah County's Space EdVenture Centers, these mystical chambers are veiled from the prying eyes of the ordinary world and only accessible to those with the magic keys of their Voyager Rank Achievement Cards.

As you step inside, you find yourself in vast rooms filled with an array of mesmerizing artifacts and peculiar contraptions. The air crackles with magical energy, and a faint glow emanates from the walls, revealing silhouettes of past adventurers who have undergone extraordinary metamorphoses.

The rooms seem unassuming at first and are easily mistaken as mere costume closets, but as you traverse deeper into their hearts, you'll discover an assortment of captivating items, each with its unique ability to transform the very essence of those who dare to embrace their enchantment.


Others who've exited the CMSC's Room of Transformation

Some enter the Room of Transformation as humble unassuming middle school students and exit as weathered, charismatic pirates whose veins throb with the swashbuckling spirit matching the seafaring adventurers of old.


Jon Parker, after a recent visit to the CMSC's Room of Transformation

Others undergo a more daring transformation and emerge with the rugged visage of battle-hardened mercenaries, armed with an aura of fearlessness and skill.

For those volunteers whose simulators require an extraterrestrial, the "Alien Apparatus" awaits. This otherworldly device, pulsating with alien energy, envelopes the young volunteers in a cosmic glow, altering their forms into that of enigmatic and fascinating spacefaring beings.


Transformations from the Discovery Space Center at American Heritage School's Room of Transformation

But beware young volunteers, for every transformation comes with its consequences. While you shall exit the Room of Transformation disguised as someone else, a part of your true essence will forever remain intertwined with the identity you have temporarily donned. The memories and experiences of the entity you embody will whisper in your thoughts, leaving a mark on your soul that cannot be easily erased.


Transformations from The Space Place at Renaissance Academy's
Room of Transformation

The Rooms of Transformation are not a place for the faint-hearted, but for the adventurous spirits eager to explore new realms and embrace the mystique of altered identities.

As you leave these magical rooms, your eyes glimmer with the thrill of newfound possibilities, and a sense of mystery lingers in your heart. Remember, the Rooms of Transformation shall always welcome those brave enough to venture into their depths and discover the magic that lies within. Who will you become next? The answer lies in the embrace of these extraordinary chambers of wonders, and the orders given by your Flight Directors of course.

Mr. Williamson

 

Imaginarium Theater

The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience


Sunday, July 23, 2023

Fifteen Years Ago This Week, the Scores from the Last EdVenture Camp. Jon Parker Promoted to Sector Command and 4 Star Gov. General. Imaginarium Theater.


Let's take a trip in The Troubadour's Way Back Machine. We're traveling back in time 15 years to this week in July 2008. I'd like you to see the camper survey scores from our last EdVenture Camp of the 2008 Summer Season. 
Back then we took 66 campers on EdVenture Camps. An EdVenture Camp lasted 3 days and 2 nights. The campers arrived at 7:00 P.M. on day 1 (Usually a Monday) with their sleeping bags, pillows, a change of clothes, toiletries, and a swimming suit and towel. The campers went home at 5:00 P.M. on day 3. 

I divided the campers into 3 teams at the start of the camp.  The teams rotated to 3 different stations during the 3 days. Station 1 was the classroom session.  Station 2 was the Voyager, Galileo, and Phoenix.  Station 3 was the Magellan and the Odyssey.  After supper on day 2 we walked to the Pleasant Grove swimming pool.  I reserved the pool just for our campers, staff, and volunteers from 8:00 - 9:00 P.M. The campers could swim, then shower afterwords. It worked perfectly because we didn't have showers for them at the school.
  
We'd get back from swimming around 9:30 P.M.  The campers changed into their sleeping clothes then picked up their sleeping bags and pillows and spread out over the cafeteria floor for video night.  We had treats waiting for them and the staff sold soda and candy.  

Here are the results from our last EdVenture Camp of the 2008 Summer Camp Season  

Friday, July 25, 2008

Camper Satisfaction Survey Results of our Last EdVenture Camp of 2008's Summer

Hello Troops,
These are the totals for the 7th EdVenture Camp of the summer season running July 21-23, 2008. There were 66 campers ranging in age from 10 to 14 years old.


QUESTION 1:                                             
How would you grade the ships you were in? An Overall Grade for the entire camp.

Great = 1
Good = 2
Fair = 3
OK = 4
Bad = 5

Overall Camp Results VOYAGER:
Voyager General Average: 1.10
Last Week’s: 1.27
Voyager Rotation Average: 1.18
Last Week’s: 1.14
TOTAL VOYAGER SCORE: 1.14

Overall Camp Results MAGELLAN:
Magellan General Average: 1.12
Last Week’s: 1.26
Magellan Rotation Average: 1.18
Last Week’s: 1.36
TOTAL MAGELLAN SCORE: 1.15

Overall Camp Results ODYSSEY:
Odyssey General Average: 1.26
Last Week: 1.17
Odyssey Rotation Average: 1.14
Last Week: 1.06
TOTAL ODYSSEY SCORE: 1.20

Overall Camp Results PHOENIX:
Phoenix General Average: 1.37
Last Week: 1.64
Phoenix Rotation Average: 1.35
Last Week: 1.52
TOTAL PHOENIX SCORE: 1.36

Overall Camp Results GALILEO:
Galileo General Average: 1.33
Last Week: 1.29
Galileo Rotation Average: 1.15
Last Week: 1.20
TOTAL GALILEO SCORE: 1.24

OVERALL SCORE THIS WEEK: 1.22
OVERALL SCORE LAST WEEK: 1.29

THE VOYAGER TAKES THE CAMP WITH A 1.14 GOOD JOB BRACKEN FUNK AND HIS STAFF!


QUESTION 2:
Would you like to come back for another camp some day?

Yes = 92% (61 Campers)
Maybe = 8% ( 5 Campers)
No = 0% ( 0 Campers)


QUESTION 3:
How would you grade your overall experience at the camp this week:
(CAMPERS ARE ASKED TO CIRCLE ONE)

10 = The Funest Thing I've Ever Done!
9
8
7
6
5 = It was OK. Like a good movie.
4
3
2
1 = The most Boring Thing I've done.

Over All Results: 9.15
Last Week: 7.67



QUESTION 4:
How does our class sessions compare to your normal school classes?

Their choices:
(Much Better than = 1)
(Better than = 2)
(The Same As = 3)
(Worse Than = 4)
(Much Worse Than = 5)

This Camp’s Class Score: 1.40
Last Camp’s Class Score: 1.86
________________________________

A New Question:
The Campers are asked how coming to the Space Center compares to other attractions:
Their choices:
(Better than = 1)
(The Same As = 2)
(Worse Than = 3)

Going to Lagoon: 1.36
Going to the Movies with Friends: 1.20
Going to the Mall with Friends: 1.13
Going to a Water Park with Friends: 1.26


The follow numbers of students were surveyed for all Rotations:

Voyager: 44 Crew members
Magellan: 55 Crew members
Odyssey: 32 Crew members
Phoenix: 24 Crew members
Galileo: 20 Crew members
Classroom: 66 members

This was the last EdVenture Camp of the 2008 Season. A big Thank You to the staff for going the extra mile and putting in these very long hours.

Thanks Troops,
Mr. Williamson

Jon Parker Promoted to 4 Star Governor General and Transferred to Sector Command


Governor General Parker with his New Badge

 In a momentous occasion for Starfleet Command, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jon Parker on his promotion to the esteemed rank of 4 Star Governor General. Jon's accomplishment is not only a testament to his exceptional leadership and dedication, but it also marks a historic milestone as the first officer from his class to achieve such a remarkable feat. The galaxy stands in awe of his achievements.

Having begun his journey with Starfleet 18 years ago, Jon Parker has proven time and again that he possesses the courage, skill, and resilience required to excel in the face of the unknown and the ever-changing challenges of deep space. His stellar career is adorned with honors and awards that bear witness to his unwavering commitment to the principles of Starfleet.

Throughout his illustrious tenure, Jon Parker has seen action in multiple sectors of the galaxy, braving the uncharted regions and stepping forth to protect the United Federation of Planets from threats far and wide. His bravery and resourcefulness have earned him the admiration of both his superiors and subordinates, serving as an inspiration to all those who follow in his footsteps.

Transitioning from Starbase Command to Sector Command is no small feat, but Jon has accomplished it with unparalleled expertise and distinction. His strategic acumen and ability to make swift, decisive decisions have undoubtedly played a significant role in his ascent through the ranks of Starfleet Command.

As we honor Jon Parker's promotion to 4 Star Governor General, it is vital to acknowledge the support and encouragement he has received from his fellow officers, friends, and family. Behind every successful Starfleet officer stands a network of unwavering support, and Jon's journey has undoubtedly been enriched by the bonds he has forged along the way.

Starfleet Command takes immense pride in celebrating officers like Jon Parker, who exemplify the very essence of what it means to serve in this noble organization. His achievements serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration to all aspiring officers, proving that with dedication, hard work, and a deep commitment to the values of the Federation, anything is possible.

Congratulations, Jon Parker, on this extraordinary milestone in your career. Your relentless pursuit of excellence and your unwavering devotion to the United Federation of Planets make you a shining example of Starfleet's finest. As you take on your new responsibilities as 4 Star Governor General, may the stars continue to guide you, and may your leadership continue to inspire generations of officers to come.

Imaginarium Theater

The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience

Sunday, July 16, 2023

InfiniD Continues to Spread the Gospel of Experiential Education. See the New Simulator Mission's Launching This Summer. After 33 Years, the Set Up and Take Down Continue. The First 3 Star Admiral Badge Awarded. The Graphic Guys, a Gang? Imaginarium Theater

 


Elder Skyler Carr, Mission President of the InfiniD Worldwide Mission, showing off the newest missionary fashions.  "To sell the gospel of immersive experiential education you must look the part," Elder Carr said and the unveiling ceremony

InfiniD Learning is on a mission to revolutionize education through immersive, experiential learning. The dedicated "education missionaries" are lead by Elder Skyler Carr (Mission President) and Elder Brooks Heder (Assistant to the President). Their team is spending a big part of their summer traveling across the country, visiting conferences and schools showing educators and administrators how InfiniD can transform classrooms into spaceships, inner body ships, and other immersive environments.



Elder Brooks Heder and Elder Skyler Carr in Washington D.C. for the National Elementary Principals Conference. It was their sixth conference this summer.


These missionaries are armed with the good news as manifested in InfiniD's innovative immersive software. Using the software, students and teachers are embracing the power of experiential learning. Instead of sitting passively, students are transported into interactive worlds where they can explore academic concepts first-hand.



Earlier in July, Elder Skyler and two sister missionaries from the InfiniD education team were invited to attend the Innovative Schools Summit in Las Vegas.


The InfiniD missionaries plan to continue their journey, visiting classrooms across the country and soon, the world. Their goal is to spark a passion for lifelong learning in students everywhere. As one missionary put it, "We want to make education fun again and show teachers and students what's possible when you make learning immersive and hands-on. NOW, do I hear and AMEN !?"



With their innovative experiential approach, InfiniD is out to convert the world of education one classroom at a time. Stay tuned as the missionaries continue their noble quest to reshape education through the power of experience.


InfiniD Learning Launches New Missions This Summer.

'Botanical Break-In' will be the first. The crew must use their knowledge of plant growth to find a rare, stolen plant in Moodoo's greenhouse and escape before it's too late.
Moodoo has stolen a rare and valuable plant species from Tellenor, called the Luminous Lykoris, and hidden it within his alien plant greenhouse. This greenhouse is filled with a variety of unusual, glowing plants that respond differently to sunlight and water. The crew will sneak in stealthily to retrieve the plant, but Moodoo will trap them inside the greenhouse. Students must work together to investigate the growth patterns of these glowing plants (i.e. the effect of sunlight and water on plant growth) in order to find the stolen plant and escape the greenhouse as quickly as possible.



*New Mission*
Forecast Fiasco - Using their weather forecasting skills, the crew will outsmart Moodoo to help Tellenor react correctly to severe weather.


*New Mission*
Laser Labyrinth is now available! Using their knowledge of forces, motion, and mass, students will infiltrate Moodoo's stronghold to get a valuable, stolen crystal back.



*New Mission*
Show of Force - 6th-8th grades: After a data breach, the crew must apply its knowledge of orbital motion and gravity to find the Crooked Snakes before it's too late.


*New Mission*
Check out Chloroplast Chaos, our latest 7th/8th grade science mission! Moodoo, the four-inch tall leader of the Fofa Alliance,
is determined to wreak havoc on the planet of Tellenor.



Some Things Never Change. The 33 Year Old Tradition of "The Set Up" and "The Take Down"





     The Christa McAuliffe Space Center has been around for nearly 34 years. During those 3 plus decades, some behaviors have become traditions.  One of those is the "Set Up and Take Down".  Last week I found Silver and Kyson engaged in the time honored ritual of "The Set Up".
     The "Set Up" involves transforming Central Elementary School's hallways into the Landing Party or Away Team playground.  Everyone who has ever volunteered or worked at any of Utah County's Space EdVenture Centers recognizes "The Set Up" with one glance at the pictures above.  
     Using whatever items they can find in the school's hallways and in the CMSC's costume and props storage room, they set up blackened barriers of chairs, whiteboards, tables, and desks.  To add to the effect, colored lights are strategically located to give that eerie feel and to provide some lighting so our campers and staff aren't tripping over each other.
     "We set up this generic Landing Party site so it can be used by all six simulators during the camp," Silver explained.  "It can be a ship's derelict hallway, or an abandoned starbase, or a lab on a distant planet, or whatever the flight director says it is.  Add a bit of music and an appropriately costumed  volunteer and you're good to go." 


Cameron, playing an appropriately dressed volunteer.
(The Paklid Grand PooPah).  Wes, a Magellan Flight Director, is in the
background using his uncanny directorial powers to draw the Paklid character out of Cameron and into the full view of the campers
 
     The only downside to the "Set Up" is the skylight built into the school by the architect. The sky light is directly over the grand staircase - right where many of the landing parties exit the Starbase set and enter the fantasy set.  Oh well, it is what it is and you make the best of it.  
      I lied in the paragraph above. There is one other downside to the Set Up. It is the "Take Down".  At the end of the camp, someone has to take everything down and put everything in its place.  

Hayden, the First to Receive a 3 Star Fleet Admiral Badge.        


     As explained in an earlier Troubadour post, the staff and volunteers at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center are receiving their Rank Achievement Cards.  Last week I presented the first 3 Star Fleet Admiral card to Hayden Senske.  Hayden is in his 5th year as both a volunteer and member of staff.  Hayden is a flight director in the Phoenix and Magellan AND if that isn't enough, Hayden is also the head of the media department.  Of course he earned every one of those stars many times over.  Congratulations Hayden.  

Does the "Graphics Guys" Count as the Space Center's First Gang? "It's where the cool kids hang out," Says Head of Department Hayden Senske.  


Hayden working with the Graphic Guys last Saturday


     If I didn't know better, I'd say the CMSC had a gang.  I found this 'gang' in the school's computer lab last Saturday. Instead of souped up Harley's and black leathers, the Graphic Guys have soft, black cotton threads.  Instead of gang signs, they flash confident looks to each other to signify an achievement on the screen. 
     "Me and the boys are using Blender," Hayden explained to me.  "It's best you don't ask a lot of questions, but go right ahead and walk around. See what ya think."  
     With Hayden's permission, I walked down the row looking at the gang's work. Their work, to the untrained eye, appeared to be the graphics of a bank vault.  I was relieved to find out it wasn't a bank vault at all, but space ship models.  


Hayden tried to get out of the picture before I snapped it but too late. I caught him in a blurred state.  "I ain't got a face for pictures," Hayden explained as he walked to the computer lab's windows, parted the blinds and looked out over the parking lot.

     To my surprise, I found the director of The Space Place sitting at the far end of the row.  Bracken Funk was feverishly working on a project using a new laptop computer. 
We aren't talking your normal four cylinder laptop. This was a beast firing on 8 cylinders.   
     "Where did you get that new computer?" I asked.  
     Hayden stopped Bracken from answering with a one finger raised. "Mr. W., what did I say about questions?"  Hayden muttered though a menacing half smile.  "Big Boy Funk here found it on the road. Apparently it fell out of the back of a truck..... right boys?"  The room filled with "That's right boss," up and down the table.   
     Hayden is doing a fine job with 'the Graphics Guys'. He's teaching them to use Blender to design some very impressive 3D models.  There is room in this 'class' for a few more.  If interested talk to Hayden but remember, don't ask many questions. 

Imaginarium Theater
The Week's Best Videos from Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience