Alex Anderson Speaks at the Voyager Club Meeting. An Introduction to Thorium Nova. The Farpoint Voyagers Fly the Starship Discovery at the Discovery Space Center at American Heritage School. The Imaginarium Theater

I've known Alex Anderson for many years and forget just how good he is with a crowd. He has the ability to grab a group's attention and hold it for as long as he wants, especially if he's talking about something he's passionate about, like the simulators and the controls they fly with.  

     Alex was the Space Center's Voyager Club guest speaker Saturday morning. He was there, bright and early, for the morning bingo at 8:00 A.M.  He dabbled on his laptop as cadet after cadet won delicious prizes I picked up in an early morning Walmart run.  Jack, the Voyager Club's February President, officially opened the meeting at 8:30 A.M. Jack spoke briefly about the use of cell phones in the Control Rooms and pointed out that whatever appears on your phone couldn't possibly be as interesting as the control room of a starship simulator in flight.  There was an "amen" from the congregation on that well-made point after which he turned control of the meeting to me (Mr. Williamson).  I reminded the cadets of their importance as volunteers in the operations of the Space Center and encouraged them to meet their 5 hours per month commitment. I also reminded them that the 5 hours includes attending the Voyager Club meeting, classes, workshops, and special Space Center projects they may be working on at home. 

     Mission writing was another topic I briefly covered (although some in the congregation would testify that my use of the word "briefly" is an exaggeration).  I saw Matt Ricks, sitting in one of the Faculty Room's massage chairs, circling a finger overhead telling me to wrap it up. I apparently was losing the young cadets. Some stared blankly at the walls while others turned to their cell phones for relief from boredom's mind-numbing burden.  Yes, I got the hint and changed gears into a brief introduction of Alex Anderson (there I go again using the word "brief"). Well, perhaps it wasn't a brief introduction; after all, how can one give a brief introduction to a Space Center legend?   Come on folks, we're talking about the man who created Thorium - the software that has kept more than one space center afloat for several years.  By the time I finished my introduction, Alex was red with humble embarrassment, and the Voyager cadets were on their knees worshiping the Great Alex.  

      From a seated position (he's so good he doesn't need to stand in front of an audience to keep their attention) Alex started his presentation by leading a discussion on what must be considered when making simulator controls, especially new controls for the modern era, set in a 3D gaming universe.  The Voyagers had great ideas from which Alex masterfully segwayed into other areas of discussion (does it appear to you, the reader, that I'm overly worshipping Alex with praise?  Well, to be honest, I am. I'm buttering him up to come do more presentations in the future and I know he reads the blog from time to time. Hopefully, this will be one of those times).  

     

     It was at this point in the discussion that Alex introduced Thorium Nova to the assembly. Several cadets had to be helped up off the floor after seeing the first few control screens and how they handled space flight in a 3D setting.  Even Matt Ricks was amazed by what he saw. There was no finger-circling during this presentation (my feelings wanted to be hurt, but didn't quite get there).  

     I learned many things from Alex's presentation. I didn't know how many spaceship simulator programs, very similar to what we do at our centers, there are around the world. The one in London was particularly eye-catching. The presentation was very informative and heavily spiced with good old fun.  Thank you, Alex, for making the trek from Salt Lake to meet with our Voyagers.  

     The meeting ended with the traditional raffle.  Several good prizes were awarded to the cadets; gift cards from Amazon and Target, a forest scene wall art, an astronaut windshield screen, a handheld multispeed fan for use when spending time in the summertime control rooms, a few t-shirts, a few planetarium tickets, Mercury NASA patch collection, a Star Trek collectors pop up book and more.  Be sure to mark your calendar for the March Voyager Club meeting scheduled for the last Saturday in March.  

The Farpoint Voyagers Club (The Space Place at Renaissance Academy) Did a Mission on the Starship Discovery at the Discovery Space Center at American Heritage School. 

 

     On Saturday afternoon, several Farpoint Voyagers from The Space Place at Renaissance Academy did a mission on the Starship Discovery at the American Heritage School.  The Farpoint Voyagers volunteer at The Space Place. Many are also involved in the school's LDM program (Long Duration Mission).  The Space Place and The Discovery Space Center at American Heritage School cooperate with each other in many ways, both operate within the Farpoint Universe, both share staff members, and both do mission swaps with their Voyager Clubs. 

     Alex Debirk (pictured above) is the Director of the Discovery Space Center AHS and the school's high school physics teacher.  Alex briefed the crew on the mission.  One of the things I like the most about Alex's work at the Discovery Space Center at AHS is how he skillfully inserts real space physics and astronomy into his missions and mission briefings. His description of the graviton engine used by the Starship Discovery was terrific.  He has done impressive work on the Farpoint Universe as a whole, keeping it as scientifically accurate as possible and still being able to tell engaging science fiction stories.  

      The AHS Discovery Space Center has two starships, the Discovery and the Galileo II.  The Galileo II was the second Galileo built for the original Space Center in the old Central Elementary School.  It was taken apart and moved to the Discovery Space Center when the school was demolished.  

     The Galileo II's refurbishment is nearly complete. Once finished, the ship will reopen for missions.  Look for more news on that event here on the blog.  

     I want to especially thank Megan Warner for her excellent work with the crew. Megan runs the Discovery Center's in-house field trip program for 5th - 8th graders. She also assists Bracken Funk at The Space Place and works the Space Center's field trip program. She is the only person I know who can claim to be a 3 Space Center employee. No one knows more about the workings of all three Centers than Megan.  

     The Farpoint Voyagers enjoyed the mission. Alex, Megan Warner, and their staff and volunteers did an outstanding job running the mission.  I wanted all of The Troubadour's readers to see Discovery and Galileo, so I filmed a walking tour.  Enjoy!    

        

Imaginairum Theater

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

Cassini Gets Ready for the Summer Camp Season. The Space Place to Host a Princess Ball. A Few Things in Passing. Lion's Gate Center Working on New Controls. Imaginairum Theater

The Cassini Gets Ready for the Summer Camp Season

     

     Hyrum gathered several of the Space Center's Voyager Club volunteers yesterday to film scenes for Cassini's new summer camp mission.  His new mission calls for a disturbing "away mission" into the dark hallways of a long-dead ship.  Not having a long-dead ship at his disposal, Hyrum did what flight directors have done for the last 34 years, film in Central School's hallways.  

     Hyrum found interlocking foam panels on Amazon from which physical props could be created. They are lightweight and quickly snap together to form boxes or wall panels, as seen in the photo above.  Crew, staff, and volunteer safety is another good thing about foam panels.  You won't injure yourself if you trip and fall into one, or if you run into one because you're running away from the Borg and not looking where you are going. Nobody wants to be assimilated, right?  

      Just when you thought the hallway was safe for exploration, what (or who) creeps out from behind a damaged starship hallway door to cause a rapid retreat to the safety of Cassini's bridge?  Why, it is a kindly Space Center volunteer transformed into a ravenous spacething bent on destroying anything and anyone who ventures down its hallway.  

Hyrum's "Away Mission" Inspiration comes from his favorite childhood Story
The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

  

     It was a fun afternoon for all. That night, the volunteers and staff went home, snuggled into their beds, and dreamt of all the space campers soon to experience the horror of their creation.  It is such a satisfying and rewarding work.  Volunteering at the Space Center is more fun than is allowed by law, so mums the word.  Let's keep that fact between ourselves.   

The Space Place Hosting a Princess Ball Fund Raiser.  

  Bracken Funk, Director of The Space Place at Renaissance Academy, surprised me a couple weeks ago when he came into my classroom and asked that I hang the poster (above) outside my door.  "What's this?" I asked after seeing the words "Princess Ball". 

     "It's a fundraiser for the Space Place," he replied, with a voice that dared me to question his masculinity. 

     I rephrased the question I was about to ask.  "A Princess Ball?" I asked with less of a sarcastic voice.  

     He set the poster on my desk. "Just hang it up. Now, are we going to have a problem with this?" 

     I stood up, collected a few thumbtacks for the door-side bulletin board, and followed him out.  "Bracken, we are NOT going to have a problem with this....... except for one thing?"  

     He stopped midstep out the door. "And what is that, may I ask?"

     "Do they make ball gowns your size?"  With that said, I ran for the outside door and to the safety of my parked car.  

Bracken coaching Renaissance Academy's Basketball Team.

      Yes, friends, The Space Place is hosting a Princess Ball for Renaissance students, with the proceeds going to The Space Place as it prepares for the summer camp season. 

A Few Things in Passing...

      It is not often something surprises me after 42 years of teaching school.  I appreciate it when something does - it breaks the day-to-day of the job.  On Valentine's Day, something surprised me.  My 6th-grade co-teacher, Heather Booth, received a dozen eggs as a Valentine's gift. Because of the bird flu, millions of chickens have been culled to contain the spread.  That has led to widespread egg shortages.  Egg prices have shot through the grocery store roofs. A year ago, receiving a dozen eggs would have brought a chuckle and a quizzical worry about the gift's reason. Today, the gift of a dozen eggs is much appreciated because of the cost and thoughtfulness of the giver.   

The Lion's Gate Space Center and New Simulator Controls

     Dan Kirkpatrick and the Lions Gate Space Center team are constantly finding ways to improve the Artemis and Apollo simulators. This never-ending quest to improve the spaceship simulators is true of all five of Utah Valley's Space Centers.  Starship controls are one area receiving attention at Lakeview Academy's Lion's Gate Space Center.  Take a look at the Reel below.  Exciting stuff, so say we all.     

Links To The Historical Troubadour Blogs

The Troubadour.  March 2008 to March 2024

The Troubadour.  March 2024 - February 2025

The Imaginairum Theater

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

Stan Harward on Dry Dock. Stan was Principal of Central Elementary When the Space Center was Built. The Voyager Club Learns About the Search for Life on Mars. News from the Lion's Gate Space Center. The Imaginairum.

      Matt Ricks is the Space Center's Historian.  He recently brought back "Dry Dock". These are pod casts where he does in depth interviews with people who've played major roles in the creation of the Christa McAuliffe Space Center.  Today you have the pleasure of hearing from Stan Harward. Stan was the principal of Central Elementary School when the Space Center was built back in 1990.  

     The Space Center has a mysterious side because whenever there is a need, someone always shows up to help.  That mystery was evident before the Space Center was built.  I had a dream of creating the Space Center but couldn't do it on my own. I had the district to convince and needed companies to donate.  But first, none of it would have been possible unless Central School's principal was on board.  Stan was the right principal in place at the right time.  I doubt any other principal in the District would have supported my crazy, insane idea of building space ship simulators in a school, but Stan 100% supported the idea.  

     Together we hit the road, visiting the District office many times getting necessary permissions and driving up and down I15 talking to companies seeking (actually begging) for donations.  Together we got the job done and the Space Center became a reality.  

      Matt sat down with Stan a few weeks ago and recorded the conversation. It is presented here on Dry Dock.  Please take some time to hear Stan's recollections of those challenging times and what became of them.

The Voyager Club Learns About the Search for Life on mars

     The Space Center's Voyager Club meet on Saturday, February 1.  The Voyager Club has two missions 1) to create a spacefaring civilization and 2) provide volunteers to Utah County's Space EdVenture Centers.  The club's monthly meetings are held at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center at Central Elementary School in Pleasant Grove. 

      It was a snowy morning and the roads were troublesome. Regardless of the situation, we had good attendance. Thank you to the Voyagers and their parents who weathered the roads to attend. I want to give a special Thank You to Jason Trump for tackling the Point of the Mountain to give our lesson of the month.  Jason is on the club's educational team and in his spare time is the Director of Education at Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City :)

     We started with bingo.  It was the weirdest bingo game I've ever called. The same person won three games!  With 25 players, that is quite an achievement.  Many accused me of fixing the game. I assured them that it would take prizes far more valuable than a bag of Doritos or a package of Red Vines to throw a bingo game.  That calmed the doubting Voyagers and the games proceeded. 

      The topic of the day's lesson was the search for life on Mars. Jason accompanied the power point with a hands on activity.  The cadets were presented with what appeared to be common rocks, the kind you'd walk by everyday and take no notice.  On his signal, the cadets uncovered their "rocks" and examined them closely looking for any signs the rocks could be the result of ancient life on Earth.  

      The cadets were divided into investigation teams. Each team examined one specimen.  The examination concluded with a presentation to the rest of the group.  The presentation required answers to the the following:  1) I notice..... 2) I think.....3) I wonder....  The funniest discovery was fossilized dinosaur dung.  Who would have thought that 65 million years ago, a dinosaur took a dump and a portion of that ended up on a table in an elementary school handled by a group of humans millions of years later? 

     The meeting ended with our famous raffle.  Jason, as usual, provides a nice selection of space related items from sticker to posters.  I provide other prizes of some value (thank you Amazon Vine).  Cadets use their Voyager Club / Space Center Rank / ID badges a raffle tickets.  

The Space Center Prepares to Launch a New App "SpaceEdVentures". Web Development Students Needed

        

     The following was taken from the Space Center's Facebook page.  The Space EdVentures app allows visitors and campers to track their visits and missions to the Space Center. The visits translate to points, which in turn gives the visitor a rank.  Help is needed to finish the project. Please read on...                                            

News from the Lion's Gate Center at Lakeview Academy, Saratoga Springs.

The Lion's Gate Space Center Staff and Volunteers Visit the Space Center

     

     Early in January, the Lion's Gate Space Center at Lakeview Academy hosted the Voyager Club at their center. The meeting had two parts; the monthly regular meeting and a 2.5 hour mission in the Apollo and Artemis simulators.  You can read more about that on The Troubadour. A few weeks ago it was the Space Center's turn to host them. 

     Lindsey Hatch was their flight director in the Odyssey and reported they all had a blast. "I'd love to fly for them again!" she said. 

The Lion's Gate Space Center is Open Again for Private Bookings and Introduces a New Mission

The first new mission of 2025 is here! Unseen is a mission full of mystery and intrigue with you in the detective role. Book your spot today and be the among the first to experience it for yourself!

https://lionsgatespacecenter.com/the-mission-catalog

       

The Lion's Gate Space Center created the following video for Lakeview Academy's Open House. It does an excellent job presenting what a school based space center does for the school's students.  

The Imaginairum.

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