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

Sunday, February 11, 2024

The Space Center's Newest Staff. The Upstairs and Downstairs People at the Space Center. Mikey's First Falcon Mission. Amberly is the New Voyager Club President. Imaginarium Theater

 



     Sadly, I don't know anything about Kate because the planetarium people are the upstairs people and the simulator people are regulated to the downstairs.  Upstairs people have been known to cross the Great Divide from time to time to discover the source of the low rumblings from the simulators that can be felt in the planetarium from time to time. You'll seem them cautiously descend the staircase to Starbase Williamson one step at a time unsure of what they may see.  I've seen a few who wear masks "just in case" and others will hold a perfumed handkerchief to their nose to protect themselves from mysterious ethers.  I've heard rumors that they call us "PaleSkins" due to the simulator staff's rare exposure to the sun. 
       Happily we all welcome Kate to the Space Center family and ask that she drop a treat of something over the staircase from time to time to remind us that we are remembered.  Do it out of the kindness of your heart, or for no other reason, do it to watch the feeding frenzy which ensues when a tasty tidbit comes our way.

Mikey's First Falcon Flight


     Mikey W. took his first group of paying customers for a 2.5 hour hop around the galaxy last night in the Falcon. The Falcon is the Not Federation starship at the Space Center. The crews of the Falcon scour the galaxy for bargains both big and small and I'm sure Mikey led them to some great deals over their time with him. Rumors are that they walked away with hard to find bathroom fixtures including a walk in tub and gold platted toilet. 
     Mikey is the former president of the Space Center's Voyager Club. He resigned his position once he received his Navy Blues.  We are all very proud of Mikey. He is a good friend to all, and that includes the Upstairs people.  He was even received in their Star Temple (planetarium) for a brief moment to catch a glimpse of the Star Priestess herself, Brylee Perry.  It was too much for him. Upon his return to the Starbase, he required the services of the Cassini's Medical Sick beds to recover his strength.

Amberly is the New Voyager Club President


     Yesterday morning, the Voyager Club's Leadership Team met to both accept Mikey W's resignation as president and approve Amberly P., as the Club's new president.  The vote was unanimous.  Those present were, Jack H, Eavie W., Thomas R., Amberly P., and Advisor Mr. Williamson.  Oliver U., was unable to attend. 
      Amberly took no time issuing new presidential decrees.  
                 1.  Eavie and Thomas were assigned to plan and stage the Club's socials. It was noted that Eavie is the Club's well know party animal. Thomas, on the other hand, may appear meek and mild, but give him a glass of Mt Dew and watch the caffeine kick in!
                 2.  Jack was assigned to create a series of videos to accompany the Volunteering Handbook. The videos will help new Voyager Volunteers transition from Explorer to Volunteer. His first video will take us deep into the jungle we call the Costume Closet to discover what fantastic creatures dwell within.  We're anxious to read his script.  Watch the Google Classroom for opportunities to be extras in his film.  Rumor has it that he has already purchased a "Director's Chair" with his name on the back.  I'm told he already has a megaphone and is using it in his neighborhood shouting "Cut" to the birds in the backyard. 
     The club is also exploring opportunities where the Voyagers from the Space Place at Renaissance Academy, and the Voyager's at The Discovery Space Center at American Heritage can mingle and get to know the Voyagers at The Space Center.  After all, we are all after the same thing - to create a space-faring civilization and to provide support to our Space Centers.

Look What I Found in the Parking Lot


     Hats off to James Porter, Director of the CMSC, for his taste in signage for the Space Center's parking lot.  

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

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Scott Wiltbank is the New Set Director of the Phoenix. Posts from the Past - Changing a Young Tween's Attitude With the Magic of the Space Center. Mikey W., is the Falcon's Newest Flight Director. Imaginarium Theater

  

Scott Wiltbank Receiving the Phoenix Microphone from Jon Parker

     Attention, prepare for an important announcement. Hear Ye, Hear Ye.  Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.  Dominus Jameses Maximus Porterillius decrees that Scott Wiltbank be appointed Set Director of the Starship Phoenix; so let it be written, so let it be done (forgive me blending my histories, it was done for effect). 
    In a ceremony stretching back to the earliest days of the Space Center, Jon Parker, Director of Simulations at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center, handed the ship's flight director microphone, spittle and all, to the new Set Director. Scott accepted the microphone signaling his acceptance of the calling and his willingness to steer the ship along the course set by the Silver Perry's hard work and firm hand on the rudder.  
    Scott is an outstanding gentleman, scholar, and good judge of science fiction simulator stories. He is also an award winning Flight Director, having won best FD for the summer camp season. `I did my best to defeat him the summer I worked as a Cassini FD but my best efforts fell short.  
     



     Scott first came to my attention back in 2015/2016 as a young black shirt volunteer. At one Honor's Night in July Scott received both his Odyssey Pin from Devin and his Galileo Pin from Erin; an amazing achievement.  I was concerned the weight of the pins would rip the shirt right off his back.   

Picture
     You wonder how a young teen could accomplish so much, then I found out.  Yes, there is talent present in Scott's small frame, but Scott has one other quality that helped him over the finish line in both simulators, Scott is an excellent kisser upper to the Set Directors.  Just look at the homage he paid to Erin at the ceremony. 
     The current Voyager Club members should take note and follow Scott's example when looking for a Phoenix Pass.  Pay homage, laugh at all his jokes (stupid or not), hold the door for him, warm his flight director's chair, and repeatedly tell him that he is the best flight director ever.  If you're really brave and willing to risk the wrath of Jon Parker, tell Scott he is a better flight director than the Almighty Jon.  It will earn you a pass, but if word gets back to Jon, that Phoenix pass will be your last :)  If you doubt me, just look at the picture of Jon handing Scott the Phoenix microphone. Look at Jon's face.  Look at the fear in his eyes. Look at Scott's face. Look how confident he appears.  Could Jon's position be in jeopardy? Stay tuned for further developments. 
​Mr. Williamson   
From the Troubadour's Archives. February 2008. A Young Tween's Attitude Changes About the Space Center  
    The original Troubadour Blog, with all the posts stretching back to 2008, is available to everyone by invitation. I've closed it to the general public because of two incorrect copyright warnings that I don't have the energy or time to fight. If you'd like access to the first Troubadour, please send me an email request.  SpaceCampUtah@gmail.com
     On slow news weeks I find it good to go back to old posts and reread good posts from the past which remind us of our heritage and our mission.  The following post comes from February 2008. Please give it a read.  For current space center staff and volunteers, it is a reminder of the magic we do day in and day out.
  
 
The Right Wing on the Voyager's Bridge.

February 24, 2008


Hello All,
     I want to thank our staff and volunteers for another successful week at the Space Center. March is upon us. I want to remind our volunteers and staff that the March Call for Volunteers is posted. Please look over the working schedule and send your requests by email. I’d like to get the working schedule out to everyone by week’s end. March is looking to be a busy month so we will need All Hands on Deck!
     I’m trying to put two supervisors on every Voyager and Magellan mission. Our Central School volunteers are filling many positions left open during the week. It seems our older volunteers are having a difficult time getting here on weekdays. I’m guessing the cause is two fold: busy schedules and the ever rising cost of gasoline. Our local Central School volunteers all live within walking distance of the Space Center. They enjoy working but are young and need supervision. Two supervisors on the larger simulators will help provide them with the supervision and training they require to become better volunteers.


     You’ll notice an increase in the number of schools coming for after school field trips. March, April and May are full of school’s arriving at 2:00 P.M. and leaving at 6:00 P.M. They are sending two classes each day. This means an addition ‘full’ field trip of classes, Starlabs, and missions. Our daytime staff will need your full support. It isn’t easy teaching four of everything each day. The repetition can be mind numbing. I’m confident we will do exceptionally well because we have high standards and an awesome staff who always do their best to give our visitors the best field trip in Utah. Hats off to Sheila, Aleta, Lorraine, Metta, Megan, Stacy, Bracken, Jordan, Jon P., Brooklyn, Christine, Marc, Kim, and all the Central School 5th and 6th grade volunteers.
     I’m reminded of something I heard from a young lady last week. A sixth grade class was finishing their training on the Voyager Bridge. The Right Wing Flight Officer was looking around the Bridge impatiently. She had mastered the look of a bored teenager - not bad for a 12 year old. She raised her hand.
     “Is this all we’re going to do is sit here?” she asked. “I’m getting bored.”
     “Yes, all you’re going to do is sit here so I’ll guess your going to be bored.” I answered. I wanted to say much more. You can’t imagine the will power required not to say more. The words were at the tip of my tongue already formed, fueled, and waiting for launch. A couple consonants and a vowel hissed out between my clenched teeth but quickly retracted and swallowed.


     Her face collapsed into a production of distortions carefully rehearsed to convey extreme frustration at not being entertained. I could tell she needed something. My guess was her ipod - the pacifier of a new generation. This new generation goes from the pacifier in the mouth to headphones into the ears. I see ‘the young’ everywhere with wires running from their belts to their ears. Their brains seem to need constant noise and entertainment. The sounds of human voices and nature are no longer satisfying.
     Some teens have such a distant look on their faces it makes me wonder what they are listening to. I can only guess; “Breath in and Breath out. Walk. Stop. Breath in and Breath out. Walk. Stop. Breath in and breath out. Walk Stop. Chew gum. Breath in and Breath out. Walk Stop. Chew Gum.”
I turned from the young lady and continued to work with the other children that had real questions. In the back of my head I wondered what her opinion would be of the mission.
     I started the mission. Her face was square in the center of one of my TV monitor. I watched her reactions as the mission progressed. Tex’s speech did nothing for her. Her head rested on her hand. Her elbow was firmly planted on the desk. Her eyes were fixed upon the black ceiling. I wondered if she was praying for deliverance. Soon I was lost in the mission and lost interest in tracking her reactions. At the end of the mission I remembered to look at her again.
     “That was awesome!” I heard her telling her friend from across the room.
     “Did you see...........? I saved the ship by............ My heart was beating so fast.........” She went on and on as she left the bridge. I sat back in my chair and began shutting off equipment. You know you’ve done a good job when you can change a teenagers opinion from “This is stupid” to “This was awesome!” So..... several days late and in the quiet of my own home I stand and take a bow to the four walls of my living room. I’ve conquered a teacher’s Mount Everest.
     Another week starts. Hundreds of kids are getting ready for the ultimate field trip. If you are one of those kids I want you to know that we are ready for you. We’ve been here 17 years training and preparing for you - just you. My thanks to the students and teachers that visit us weekly. My thanks to a great staff and volunteers that make the Space Center the magical place it is.

Ad Astra!
Mr. Williamson

Michael W., is the Falcon's Newest Flight Director at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center


     We call him Mikey, I thought I'd include that for those who only know him as Mikey :)  Mikey is a diligent worker and once he set him mind on becoming a Falcon flight director there was no stopping him.  I'm happy to report that Mikey's hard work and preserving paid off. Last week he was awarded his Navy Blues and joined the few, the proud, the chosen.  He is in the Flight Director's Guild. 

     With the Navy Blues in hand, Mikey stood and solemnly spoke the Flight Director's Pledge.
     "I pledge to honor the training and craftsmanship of the flight directors who trained me. I pledge to set an example of professionalism to my staff, volunteers, and crew. I promise to lead and guide my crews by adhering to the missions' 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."  
     After taking the oath, new Flight Directors are given a membership card and the key to the Space Center's Executive Washroom.


     Receiving a key is the ultimate goal of every space center volunteer and staff. There is a reason many of you don't know about this. When you've earned it, it will be made known to you. And don't go bothering the flight directors about its location.  They'll only act stupid and say they there is no such place and they don't know what you're talking about. They may even try besmirching my good name and tell you I embellish the truth and spread false information here in the blog!  Lies I tell you, All Lies.
     Congratulations Mikey on this goal met and one item off your bucket list. 
     With Mikey gone, the Voyager Club at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center is without its president.  Voyager Club leadership positions are only for those in the 'volunteer' category.  Once receiving a paycheck, Voyager Club leaders must resign. This leaves an opening in the club presidency which will be filled very soon.  Watch for more news on the matter in upcoming posts.

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

Sunday, January 28, 2024

InfiniD Learning's New Sizzle Reel. The Space Center is a Pleasant Grove Landmark, So Says Slim Chicken. The Space Center Hosts a Global Game Jam. Imaginarium Theater

     Our friends at InfiniD Learning released impressive new missions this school year. My Young Astronauts and Voyagers at Renaissance Academy's The Space Place enjoyed a couple new missions which involved "The Crooked Snakes".  One lesson was on gravity and another, for our 3rd grade Young Astronauts, had them using times tables to solve riddles.  The missions were a hit.  One of my squadrons took 10th place in the national rankings.  

     This is a reel showcasing some of InfiniD's animations this year.  If your local school isn't using IniniD Learning in the classrooms contact me and I'll help you get the ball rolling.  InfiniD Learning makes learning fun using experiential education. ​SpaceCampUtah@gmail.com



     And that's not all,  here is another piece of fantastic news from InfiniD Learning from their Facebook page.






     Meet the InfiniD Learning team.  five of them, including the two founders, were once volunteers at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. A few were flight directors.  They were infected with the space bug at the Space Center and worked diligently to make the Space Center experience available to the masses.  After years of hard work and persistence they achieved their goal and more.  Immersive, experiential education is now a reality for schools around the world.  I'm proud to be a part of this team in my own small way (I get to play the voice of the ship computer in their missions).  

The Space Center is a Pleasant Grove Landmark, So Says Slim Chicken


     If you look closely you'll see the Space Center's logo on the middle building.  Amazing isn't it?  Look at how our little space education center has grown. From me sitting behind my desk with an overhead projector and boom box to a state of the art planetarium and six beautiful simulators right here in Pleasant Grove.  Next on my wish list, a brown freeway sign, the kind the highway department puts near freeway exits announcing a local attraction, landmark, or national park.  It isn't too much to ask.

The Space Center Hosts a Global Game Jam


     Last Friday evening the Space Center played host to one Global Game Jam 2024 site.  The event was organized by Dave Stevens, a Space Center volunteer.  Global Game Jam is the world's largest game creation event.  It is happening in over 100 countries around the world. It started on Friday and ends tonight.  The closing ceremony will be broadcast live in the Space Center's planetarium. Tens of thousands of game developers from all over the world world are making games around a chosen theme. 


          The even was open to all Voyager Volunteers, Explorers, and their family members and friends.  Dave worked with our Voyagers and others on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. in the school's computer lab on their projects. The final presentation and closing ceremony for the 48 hours will start at 5:00 P.M. in the planetarium.  Here participants and guests will be able to see all the cool things people at the Utah Jams built.

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