Jon Parker, the Man, the Legend
Jon Parker's presence has been a permanent fixture at the Space Center for many many many years, but as they say.... All Good Things Must Come to an End. And so sadly The Troubadour announces that Jon has stepped down as the Space Center's Assistant Director.
Jon graduated from UVU with a degree in education in December 2023. This school year he was offered the CTE teaching position at Timpanogos High School, a job he was hoping to get. Being a fairly new teacher, Jon soon realized he couldn't do both jobs effectively and still have time for some kind of a personal life. Something had to go.
Now the good news, Jon may be stepping down as Asst. Director, but he isn't leaving the Space Center completely. His ethereal presence will continue to be felt in the halls and simulators on the occasional weekend when he flys a Cassini mission or works a lobby shift.
Jon begun his journey with the Space Center twenty years ago. During those two decades, Jon set the example of what a great Space Center volunteer and staff member should be. Thank you Jon for your dedication in every position you held, and for your selfless commitment to the Space Center's mission of creating a space faring civilization.
Lindsey Matus Joins The Space Place's Education Staff
Lindsey Matus recently join the educational staff at The Space Place at Renaissance Academy in Lehi. Lindsey's exceptional talents in the simulators and in the classroom will keep her busy as she goes between her work in the Odyssey at The Space Center in Pleasant Grove and The Space Place.
In addition to her work for The Space Place, Lindsey is one of Renaissance Academy's new 4th grade teachers. In fact, her classroom on the school's second floor is so close to the Starship Voyager on the first floor, that she can hear the explosions, music, and can almost make out what the aliens are saying. Luckily for her, the starship flies after school only.
Lindsey will be working with the 3rd and 4th grade Young Astronauts and the 5th - 9th grade Voyager Club members in the classroom. The school's 150 club members are divided into squadrons of 10 members each. Each squadron meets monthly. There are two parts to a club meeting, the classroom instruction and the simulator experience. The classroom is where Lindsey will teach problem solving and communication skills, in addition to lessons covering astronomy, physics, and cosmology.
As you can see in the photo above, Lindsey has NO problems getting into the spirit and fun of a simulator experience. The Space Place is lucky to have someone with this level of experience on our staff. Welcome to The Space Place, Lindsey!
Mission.io Surpasses One Million Students!
I'm very excited to announce that our good friends at Mission.io reached a major milestone. There are now nearly 1.2 million students doing Mission.io missions in schools across the country and in a few overseas locations.
I was at Mission.io in Provo on Friday to do a recording as the InfiniD's ship computer and talked with Skyler for a few minutes on the company's success since it started over 10 years ago by Casey Voeks and Skyler Carr.
"Here is something else you should see," Austin Nielsen said. "Look at this graphic at our nationwide locations." Austin proudly showed me his computer screen.
Each pin represents a Mission.io location. The pins could be one or many schools in that area running the missions. Congratulations Mission.io for taking the spirit of wonder and adventure, pioneered by the first simulator Voyager, to the world!
Emmie C., Graduates from The Space Center's Internship Program and is Appointed to the Galileo as the Simulator's Newest Flight Director
By Tabitha Ricks
CMSC Staff Development Lead
We welcome our newest Galileo Flight Director to the dark, sunless abode of the simulators!
Emmie's pass has been a long time in coming. Emmie started volunteering in the fall of 2021 and has countless volunteering hours in the books. Not only does Emmie hit all the essentials of a mission when she flies, but also brings characters to life and looks out for her volunteers to give them the best learning opportunities as well. She has a lot of grit and a wonderful work ethic!
Be sure to give Emmie a salute the next time you rub shoulders with her or find her waiting for your group in the Space Center's lobby.
The Flight Director's Guild
"I pledge to put into best practice the training and craftsmanship I received from those 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."
The Space Center Offers Year Round Space Camps
Let's face it, the most popular starship simulator program at the Space Center are the summer space camps. In the past, they began in June and ended around the last week of July. Through the months of August to May, a private 5 hour mission in one of the six starships was longest program you could attend. That is about to change. Starting this Fall the Space Center will offer the space camp experience to students ages 10 to 14 at various times of the year. Check out the Space Center's website to learn more and book a camp for your young astronaut.
Imaginarium Theater
The Week's Best Videos From Around the World, Edited for a Gentler Audience
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