The Space Center's Voyager Club met early Saturday morning, January 3rd, for its monthly meeting. The Voyager Club is the home to the Space Center's 70 volunteers. Our volunteers range in age from 12 to The Sky is the Limit! The club's monthly meeting introduces new members, trains volunteers in their duties as volunteers, teaches them about current space news and astronomy, has team-building activities, and adds a healthy dose of science fiction to the instructional mix because that is what the Space Center is, that happy combination of science and science fiction. After all, we all know the two are flip sides of the same coin. A love of science fiction, for many, opens the door to a curiosity about the real universe and its workings.
The new member introductions were followed by the Years of Service Awards. Club President Eavie did the presentations.
Jacob, Eric, and Max Received their Two-Year Pins
Max Received a Three Year Pin
Jonathan Eden was one of the month's guest presenters. Jonathan gave us an update on the construction of the Lions Gate Space Center. Lions Gate Space Center is part of Lakeview Academy Charter School in Saratoga Springs. The Center has two starships, the Apollo and the Artemis. Two new starship simulators and a space station simulator are under construction and will open in the Fall. It is exciting to see how their program is evolving to meet the needs of their students and community.
Matt Ricks was the month's featured presenter. Matt is a long-time volunteer and staff member at the Space Center. Today, his Space Center duties include the design and construction of the electrical activity panels used in the Center's simulators, along with online "stuff". Matt has another important role at the Center: he is our historian. His driving goal is to preserve the history of this unique educational organization for the present and future generations. Why? Because the Space Center is a community organization. Its foundation rests on community support through the school district and our strong volunteer force.
Matt does all of this wearing his volunteering hat. That shows dedication to the Center's mission. Matt's presentation focused on the importance of preserving the Center's history and also served as a call to action for volunteers to help keep that history documented and preserved.
Matt started a podcast called "Drydock Talk" where he interviews past and present volunteers and staff about their time at the Space Center. He is seeking retired volunteers and staff who are willing to be interviewed. Here are some of the questions he asked in the interview.
* Tell me about yourself; what do you want the Space Center community to know about you?
* Why did you decide to go into your current career? (This question can very commonly be related back to the Space Center in some way)
* What brought you to the Space Center? Can you tell me about your time at the Space Center? (What year did you start? What year did you leave?)
* What was it like working with Mr. Williamson?
* What do you remember about the first time you went to the Space Center?
* What were your favorite parts about the Voyager / Space Center when you were there?
* Where has your career gone since working at Central Elementary?
* Where do you hope to see the Voyager Concept (or Space Simulators) go in the future?
* Do you have any other memories that stand out to you that you would like to add?
Generally, asking questions like "What was the first/last..." or "What was the best/worst..." tends to get some good stories. That's generally the goal: to get stories, not just facts. So asking open-ended questions, and giving time and space for the interviewee to respond, is the best way to get stories, which are the most fascinating part!
Please contact me if you would be willing to help with this project. VictorWilliamson@AlpineDistrict.org
* Tell me about yourself; what do you want the Space Center community to know about you?
* Why did you decide to go into your current career? (This question can very commonly be related back to the Space Center in some way)
* What brought you to the Space Center? Can you tell me about your time at the Space Center? (What year did you start? What year did you leave?)
* What was it like working with Mr. Williamson?
* What do you remember about the first time you went to the Space Center?
* What were your favorite parts about the Voyager / Space Center when you were there?
* Where has your career gone since working at Central Elementary?
* Where do you hope to see the Voyager Concept (or Space Simulators) go in the future?
* Do you have any other memories that stand out to you that you would like to add?
Generally, asking questions like "What was the first/last..." or "What was the best/worst..." tends to get some good stories. That's generally the goal: to get stories, not just facts. So asking open-ended questions, and giving time and space for the interviewee to respond, is the best way to get stories, which are the most fascinating part!
Please contact me if you would be willing to help with this project. VictorWilliamson@AlpineDistrict.org
Our last guest presenter for the meeting was Alex Debirk, director of the Discovery Space Center at the American Heritage School in American Fork. The DSC has two starship simulators, the Discovery and the Galileo (Remember the metal Galileo from the old Space Center?). Alex updated us on his program and the school's plans for expansion as it designs and constructs a new high school.
The Activity. The Laser Light Holiday Show
Amberlynn was kind to come in so early on Saturday to run the Space Center Planetarium's holiday laser light show for the volunteers, some of their parents, and our guests. Then it was Bang! and the music and light show erupted across the dome. It was a fantastic show. The after-show applause underscored that point.
Are You Interested in Volunteering at the Space Center?
The Space Center is always in need of good volunteers. To learn more about volunteering, please visit the club's website VoyagerClub.org.
James Porter Shares Behind-the-Scenes Tours of the Space Center's Simulators
James Porter is the Director of the Space Center. He has started a series of Reels taking viewers into the simulators to learn more about what they are and what happens during a mission. The Reels are on the Space Center's Facebook page and embedded here in the blog. Take a look. It is time to spread the word about the Space Center, its programs, and its contributions to the school district and community.
The Voyager Club's New Group of Future Computer Animators: Meet the Beta Imagineers.
Meet Kade, Sam, Calvin, August, and Omar. That's Jack sitting behind them. They are the Space Center's next class of apprentice computer animators. Jack H., is the instructor. Jack is a master animator for the Center, a supervisor, and a trainee flight director. Saturday was their first class.
Jack's first class of animators, the Alpha Imagineers, graduated last year and are working toward their Journeyman level, so they can begin creating the tactical screens for upcoming simulator missions.
Having Saturday Fun at The Space Place at Renaissance Academy
Three Voyager Club Volunteers Ready to Storm the Voyager's Bridge.
On Saturday, I dropped in to see Megan Warner and Bracken Funk at The Space Place. It was a busy day for The Space Place team, with three private mission bookings filling up the morning and afternoon aboard the Starship Voyager, the largest simulator in the fleet.
I am amazed by the talent, professionalism, and skill of The Space Place's staff and volunteers in operating the simulators and executing the flawless missions presented in the Voyager. I encourage all flight directors at any of the 14 simulators around Utah Lake to visit the Voyager and see this team in action from a seat in the Control Room.
Perfection in simulation operations would be expected when you look at the decades of experience the two of them have doing simulations on multiple ships.
You and your group of friends, family, or employees are welcome to come to the Voyager to experience the magic yourself. Go to TheSpacePlace.org to book a private mission.
Imaginairum Theater
The Week's Best Videos from Around the World, Edited for a Gentler Audience
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