Honor's Night. Celebrating the Accomplishments of the Space Center's Staff and Volunteers. Imaginarium Theater

     The Christa McAuliffe Space Center held the End of Summer Honor's Night on August 28, 2025. The event was held in the planetarium under the direction of James Porter, Space Center Director.  Honor's Night is the Space Center's opportunity to thank our many members of staff and volunteers for their achievements.  

     In the following video you will see both photos and video our Space Center family receive honors in the following categories:  length of service, ship pass offs, and the saddest part of the evening is always our tribute to the fallen - those members of staff who are retiring. 

    The Space Center is wonderful place for young people (and those of us older folks who are young at heart) to work and volunteer.  Contact the Space Center for information on how you can become part of our staff and volunteer group.   

Imaginairum Theater

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

Updates on Mission.io. From the Space Center's Historical Archives: Thoughts on the End of the Summer Space Camps 2008. The Galileo Gets Ready to Go to the Utah County Fair, 2009.

Skyler Carr at Mission.io Highlights Edgemont Elementary School in Provo

Mission.io: Bringing Immersive Learning to Classrooms Everywhere

Mission.io is spreading the vision of immersive, simulation-based education across the globe. Founded by Skyler Carr and Casey Voeks right here in Pleasant Grove, their missions are experienced in hundreds—if not thousands—of classrooms every single day.

What makes Mission.io remarkable is its ability to connect students anywhere in the world with simulations that are built around curriculum standards. I had the privilege of working with the team from the very beginning, starting with the opening of the Discovery Space Center at Stonegate. Even today, I get to play a small part by lending my voice as the ship’s computer in their missions.

Skyler and Casey were first “bitten” by the immersive bug as teenage volunteers at the Space Center. Look at what they’ve accomplished since then! Their journey makes me wonder what today’s Space Center volunteers will achieve in the future as they grow and discover new ways to deeply engage students in their learning.

I currently use Mission.io in my sixth-grade classroom at Renaissance and in our after-school Young Astronauts and Voyager Club meetings. The biggest strength I see in their missions is how effectively they motivate kids to learn. For years, I’ve said that students learn best when you give them a reason to learn. Adults go to work for a paycheck—or sometimes for the satisfaction of meaningful employment. But what motivates a child? A grade? Grades only have meaning if parents and teachers emphasize them, and for many students, that simply isn’t enough.

Games, competitions, and rewards tied to meaningful goals are far more effective motivators. That’s exactly what Mission.io delivers through its simulations: purpose-driven learning with built-in motivation. And that, in my view, is the greatest strength of Mission.io.       

                                    Students in Denver, Colorado doing a Mission.io mission

From the Space Center's Historical Archives. 

The End of the Summer Camp Season 17 Years Ago...
From "The Troubadour Blog".  August 2008

The Joy and Pain of the Space Center.

A Happy Magellan Captain

An Unhappy Voyager Captain

Well,
     Here you have it. Two captains from this summer's camps. The captain of a Voyager mission seems a bit upset. Could the mission be lost? Could his crew be driving him crazy?  The other is a captain from a Magellan mission. Do I detect success written in his expression?
     These pictures, in a way, represent the Space Center, where every mission is different. Missions can end is success or failure. Where else do you get this kind of an interactive experience that relies on you for success?
     Movies? NO. In a movie you are a captive audience. You watch what's put in front of you. Amusement Parks? NO. You ride the ride. At the end you say it was great or it wasn't. If you're happy, you say they built a great ride. If you're not, you say they wasted their money building the ride.
     Here at the CMSEC your actions decide the results. Work hard, think carefully through all problems, work well as a team, listen to comprehend, and you may be successful. That is the joy of what we do at the Space Education Center. We as staff and volunteers take you out there and then step back and see what you do.
     Live or die, sink or swim, succeed or fail - it is all UP TO YOU.
    There is no place like this in the world (Not Then in 2008)
    Thank you to all that participated in our summer camp programs. Now get ready, for there is a lot more to come!

Mr. Williamson

16 Years Ago. Construction of the New Galileo Is Nearly Complete

Note:  This video was shot the day before we took the new Galileo to the Utah County Fair on August 13, 2009.  Kyle Herring, Alex Debirk, and Jon Parker worked feverishly to get the ship ready for the fair.  

 From the Troubadour Blog.  August , 2009

This video was shot yesterday by Kyle Herring. The Galileo is at Senic Services in Lindon. Today it will be taken apart and transported to the Utah County Fair in Spanish Fork. It will be at the Fair from Thursday through the weekend. Watch for more information.

Imaginairum Theater

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

Marissa Ohran Retires from Active Duty in Starfleet. Eavie W., Named the Voyager Club's New President. Alex J., is the Vice President. Imaginarium Theater.

Marissa Ohran walked out of the Starship Magellan last night for the last time as a member of the Space Center's staff.  She has officially retired to attend grad school in Georgia. 

For nearly 11 years, Marissa has been both a volunteer and staff member, playing a vital role in the Magellan Starship Simulator. Whether she was working with students on field trips or guiding crews through exciting private missions, she brought her positivity, energy, and devotion to every shift.

Marissa has been a constant example of what it means to live our mission: to inspire, to teach, and to create a spacefaring civilization. Her enthusiasm for space exploration and science fiction has impacted thousands of students and guests who will carry the spark of imagination she lit with them for years to come.

As a Space Center community, we are grateful for Marissa’s years of service, her unwavering commitment, and the countless hours she gave to make the Space Center a place of wonder. She leaves behind not only memories but also a legacy of kindness, professionalism, and inspiration.

Thank you, Marissa, for everything you’ve given to the Space Center. You will always be part of our crew, and we wish you the very best on your next adventure.

Marissa started as a young volunteer on September 26, 2014. That makes nearly eleven years she has volunteered and staffed countless Magellan missions (her favorite ship) and many others in other simulators.  

In November 2014 Marissa joined the Farpoint Voyager's Club at the Space Center. She was ready to get involved and give the Space Center her best efforts. Marissa was part of the Farpoint Voyager Club's Prometheus Squadron led by Bradyn Lystrup.

They did an excellent job in that year's Long Duration Mission.  

Marissa received her promotion from a black shirt volunteer to paid staff in May, 2016. That's two short years. Another example of her dedication to the Space Center and its mission.  

The Staff and Volunteers of Marissa's Last Mission on the Magellan

On a personal note, I want to thank Marissa for seeing the magic of the Center and her desire to share it with thousands of others.  The Center exists today because of people like her. Thank you for sharing nearly 11 years of your life with us.  

Mr. Williamson 

Eavie W. Named President of the Space Center's Voyager Club.  Alex J is the Vice President

Eavie receiving the sacred Bingo Wheel Signifying her Coronation as

President of the Voyager Club

Eavie W. has been selected to lead the Space Center's Voyager Club.  She replaces Jack H., and Thomas R., who have both been given staff positions at the Space Center.  Jack and Thomas were the club's co-presidents.

Eavie assumes the responsibility of leading the Space Center's 100 club members.  Space Center volunteers and Explorers make up the club's membership.  She is excited to assume the role and looks forward to making her mark on the club and supporting its members.  

Eavie has selected Alex J., as her vice-president.  Alex joined the Voyager Club in June 2024.  Eavie joined in October 2022. 

Aiden H., was the club's first president in the new Space Center Building

Mikey Wiltbank (right) was the club's second president. In the photo you see him handing the Bingo Wheel to the club's third president, Amberlynn Perry.

Amberlynn handed the club's leadership to Jake and Thomas when she was hired to flight direct the Phoenix.

 

The Voyager Club's next meeting will be held on August 30th from 8:00 to 10:00 A.M. at the Space Center.  

Imaginarium Theater

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

The First Space Center "All Nighter" Since the Last Week of July 2012. It Was A Long Time Coming. The Imaginarium Theater

The Staff and Crew of the First Annual Staff All Nighter.  Thank you James Porter for making it possible. 

Thirteen years in the making.

On August 1, 2025, the Space Center stayed awake all night for the first time since 2012. No campers. No chaperones. Just our staff, a mission that wouldn’t quit, and the return of a tradition we thought was gone forever.

Friday, August 1, 2025

After thirteen long years, the lights of the Space Center burned late into the night once again. On Friday, August 1, we held our very first “All Nighter” mission—a moment many of us thought we’d never see again.

The last overnight camp ended on July 27–28, 2012. That weekend marked the close of an era. The Space Center shut its doors for six months of extensive repairs, and when we reopened in February 2013, overnight programs were left in the past. For more than a decade, they existed only in stories told by the “old timers” who had lived them.

Why Now? What Changed?

James Porter, the Space Center’s Director, believed it was time to bring a taste of that magic back—at least for the staff. Today’s adult crew members have heard endless tales of late-night missions, whispered debriefings, and the camaraderie that only comes from pushing through the small hours of the morning together. Many times, they’ve said, “I wish I could have experienced that.”  Mr. Porter and his team spent so much time and effort on making this All Nighter as authentic as possible - even down to the Sunny Delight and GoGurts.  Thank you to everyone who made this magic happen.

So the All Nighter was born—not as a public program, but as a once-a-year tradition just for the adult staff. No permission slips. No chaperones. Just a night to throw ourselves into the story, laugh until our sides hurt, and remember why we love doing what we do. It would be our annual reward for making it through the whirlwind of summer space camps.

Friday, August 1 – 6:45 p.m.

The doors opened, and in they came—arms loaded with sleeping bags, pillows, and snacks. Some carried relics from the past: the original sleeping pads saved when the old Space Center was torn down four years ago. The air buzzed with the same energy that used to fill the room on those legendary camp nights.

What followed was everything we hoped for. The staff threw themselves into their roles, improvised with flair, and immersed themselves in the adventure. It was as if no time had passed at all.

Below are my photos and videos from the night. Take a look—and see the magic for yourself.

—Mr. W.

Imaginarium Theater

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

The Voyager Club's July Meeting. Learning How to Play the Role of Doctor in a Simulation. The Space Center Olympics! It was Ship vs. Ship! Lily Takes a Leave of Absence. The Imaginarium Theater

The Space Center's Voyager Club met for its monthly meeting on the last Saturday of July.  We started with Bingo, a tradition that goes back decades.  At 8:30 A.M., the meeting was called to order by President Eavie.  A very warm welcome was given to our newest club members.  

The new members introduced themselves, giving their name, their school, and grade, and one memory that stood out from doing their 2 mission observations.  

I spoke to our members about the volunteering schedule.  Fall is the time of the year when private missions drop off. They pick back up again towards the holidays.  During the Fall, club members must be mindful of everyone and not volunteer for too many missions at one time.  "Leave the schedule open for our newer members and those who don't 'live' on the app waiting for missions to pop up," I said.  "Let's limit ourselves to two missions per month max, unless you are training.  You can take more missions if there is a flight still open for volunteers a day to two before the mission starts".  Everyone understood the spirit and intent of the request.  

Tyler Weight conducted our monthly training session.  Tyler is the head of the Voyager Club's Acting Department.  The meeting's topic was "How to Properly Play the Role of Doctor both on the Bridge and Calling Shots".  

    Amberlynn and Rachel kindly assisted Tyler by conducting "On Set" hands-on training in both the Phoenix and Cassini. 

The Voyagers spent 20 minutes in each simulator. The instruction was spot on and necessary to ensure our visitors have a great experience. 

The last part of the workshop was held in the school's hallways. Tyler taught the volunteers the proper way to "Call Shots" while in character.  Watch the video to see how well he covered the topic.   

A special thank you goes to Tyler, Amberlynn, and Rachel for teaching the workshop and to our Voyagers for attending.  Please enjoy the short video highlighting the workshop and the great job our members did demonstrating their learning through role-playing.  

The Space Center Olympics: Ship vs. Ship in All Out War!  

The Space Center's annual Olympics were held on July 29, 2025.  It is the ultimate "End of the Summer Camp Season" activity for all Space Center staff.  Hyrum Sasser and Matt Ricks were the creative force behind this year's Olympics and didn't disappoint.  Everyone had a great time, even me, the ultimate party pooper :)

  

As you can see in the photo above, it was the simulator staff that formed the six teams.  While normally good friends and comrades, during the Olympics, the fangs came out.  The teams played to win "Top Team". 

The first event was Mission Charades.  The rules of the game are in the photo above. 

Above you see the Galileo staff.  Mr. Porter really got into it!  Either that, or he was trying to get them to guess Mr. Williamson (in the lower photo ;)

  

The next event was "Find the Explosive Device". There are pictures of all the events in the video at the end of this article. Be sure to watch the video to see all the fun.  

After that was "Getting Through the Laser Field". Once again, watch the video to see the staff crawling on the school's floor trying not to be detected.  Great Fun! 

 

Above are photos of "Speed Decoding" and "Speed Prop Building" competitions. 

The funnest competition, in my opinion, was the Space Center Cookie Decoration Contest."

It was ship against ship to decorate a cookie according to strict rules established by Matt Ricks.  There were even sabotage instructions that teams could carry out on other teams. 

The Cassini won with their "Teacher in Space" patch logo (third from the left in the photo above).  The video features entertaining scenes from the competition.  

Lunch was held in the school's lunchroom. 

 

The cookies were dessert.  Mickey bragged about how his big mouth could consume the Odyssey's cookie in six bites. Watch the video to see how that played out.  

After lunch came the Khoot competition. 

 

I had to leave before the event ended, so another event was held in the hall. I grabbed this photo on my way out. 

Once again, great job, Hyrum and Matt!  It will be tough for next year's event managers to top this one.  Now, enjoy the video of all the photos and videos of the actions. 

  

Lily Massa takes a Leave of Absence from the Magellan to go Planetside.  School Calls.

Lily's last mission in the Magellan was on Saturday.  Lily will be going away to school, but plans on returning to Starfleet and the Magellan next summer.  Her last staff and volunteers wanted to remember the event with the photos above.  Good luck Lily!    

The Imaginarium Theater

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

Scott Wiltbank Retires From The Space Center - His Long Reign As the Dominator of Camp Surveys is Over! The Imaginarium Theater

 

Scott was one of those "special" young volunteers when he started with us in 2013. His enthuasium for the Space Center knew no bounds. I say special because volunteers like this are sooo eager to get involved and make a contribution that they can, at times, become ever so -  and slightly - annoying :) But over time, Scott weathered nicely in the ships, and under the loving care of great supervisor and flight directors blossomed into one of the Space Center's greatest!  

I had the unfortunate experience of going against Scott head to head for top flight director during a summer camp season a few years ago when I flew the Cassini.  I remember Scott coming into the Cassini Control Room and kindly offering me the opportunity to admit he was the best and bow to his Flight Director superiority PUBLICLY to avoid the sure to come embarrassment of seeing him sweep the award at the August Honor's Night.  I refused, and suffered the embarrassment PUBLICLY.  

There was a very evident way Scott achieved so much, so quickly in his rise to greatness as a teen. It was a quality that helped him over the finish line in the two simulators he excelled in. Scott was an excellent kisser upper to the Set Directors. (OK, I will admit there was some talent in the offering as well...)

A couple years ago I wrote the following as an open message to members of the Voyager Club's volunteering group regarding Scott's example.  "The current Voyager Club members should take note and follow Scott's example when looking for a Phoenix Pass.  Pay homage, laught 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 readlly brace and willing to risk the wrath of Jon Parker, tell Scott he is a better flight director than the Almight Jon. It will earn you a Phoenix pass, but if word gets back to Jon, that phoenix pass will be your last...."  

The Space Center community said Goodbye to Scott last Friday. He did one final Day Camp and the private mission afterwards, said his final "goodbyes" to his long time friends and associates, left his badge on Mr. Porter's desk and walk off into the parking lot one last time as an employee.  

Scott has pre-warned us that the Space Center hasn't seen the last of him. He will return when he hears the Siren's Call beckoning to return to the source of his inspiration to help staff, when needed, with his special skills and experience.  We will look forward to those visits. Until then, on you go Scott. The world is waiting for you and there is much you have to do to make it a better place.

A Video Tribute to Scott: His Last Mission and Scott Thought the Years From Humble Black Shirt to Set Director and "God of Flight Directing" (self proclaimed)

   

Imaginarium Theater

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

Jack H., the First Level I (Supervisor) Graduate from the Space Center's Simulations Internship Program: A Space Center Milemarker. New Doctor ID Badge. The Week at SpaceLandia (Photos and Video). The Imaginarium Theater

Jack with Tabitha and Mitch, his Simulations Internship Instructors and Connor, his Training Mentor

Jack H. Becomes the First Space Center Volunteer to Graduate from the Simulations Internship Program, Level 1: Supervisors

by Tabitha Long Ricks

     We are super excited to announce that Jack has officially earned all his passes and is the next volunteer to enter the staff force as a full fledged Magellan Supervisor!!

     He has worked hard and it shows! There isn't a supervisor or flight director out there who  wouldn't want to fly with him - including Alex. He'd love Jack as a Galileo supervisor. 

     Jack started volunteering at the beginning of 2023 after attending a mission and the rest is history. Jack can rally and integrate with all shapes and sizes of crews. He can explain just about anything to anyone. And Jack provides reliable, constant support in any team he's working on. I'm pretty sure he gets a sore elbow from repeatedly reaching for the phone in his sleep, ready to respond as Water Pumping. 

     Be sure to let Jack know how good Supervisor Blue looks on him the next time you see him in his collard shirt, making the Space Center a better place!

Well done and congratulations Jack!

 

Congratulations Jack. This is Really a Big Deal. One of those Space Center Milemarkers from Which We Measure Success  

     At the beginning of the last year, Mr. Porter gave Tabitha Ricks and Mitch Foot the assignment of creating a formal way to train all future Space Center staff:  Supervisors and Flight Directors. This type of formal, research based training complete, with full curriculum has never been done at the Space Center. 

      After months of research and preparation, the first set of interns were admitted into the Simulations Internship Program in the Fall of 2024.  They attended "Bootcamp" Monday afternoons after school for formal classroom training with Tabitha and Mitch.  Their field work and applications work was done in the simulators under mentor flight directors.  Several Space Center volunteers are currently working through their assignments and field work.  What makes Jack's accomplishment noteworthy is that he is the first to graduate from the Internship and accept a staff position at the Space Center.  Needless to say, the first of many more to come. 

      Connor Larsen was Jack's mentor. They worked many many hours together in the Magellan, over several months, getting Jack ready for his final reviews for graduation.

Jack and Connor
 

     An intern and mentor develop a strong bond. Connor set the gold standard for mentorship providing instruction and and example of how to properly guide an intern from classroom to the practical day to day operations in the simulator.  And now with Jack graduated, Connor will move on to work with a new intern and start the process all over again.  

Jack and Connor on his Graduation Flight. Connor as FD. Jack as Supervisor

     I know how proud Tabitha and Mitch are over Jack's accomplishment. It hasn't been easy. The Simulations Internship Program is tough and requires hard work, many hours, and a commitment to the Space Center's demand for excellence in all our programs.  

      I had a chance to congratulate Jack myself on Saturday.  I found him alone, in the Magellan Control Room, working on building his own music tracks, among other things, as he continues is formal training with the Simulation Internship Program working towards his Level II endorsement as a Flight Director.  It is amazing how far he's gone since he first stated as a Voyager Club member in 2023.  I actually remember the day he came in for his first observation.  During my orientation, I remember how excited Jack was to be there and how motivated he was to get going.  

Jack shortly after becoming a Voyager Club volunteer. 2023

Jack showing his first Voyager Club Rank and ID badge

Jack all ready to head out in an acting role

     Over the last few years, Jack has been a great help to me as both a co-president of the Space Center's Voyager Club and the club's Blender instructor.  He currently leads the Alpha Animation Team made up of Jack (Instructor), Bruce, Bryce, and Jaxon.  He's working to prepare them to become Stageworks Journeyman.  

     

     Finally, what can I say about James Porter, Tabitha and Mitch except that the Space Center couldn't have better leadership?  Because of their work and vision, the Simulations Internship Program will play a major role in giving the Space Center's guests the best experience possible.  

     And when all is said and done, we come back to the Space Center's ultimate mission of creating a spacefaring civilization.  Hundreds of thousands of people have experienced the Space Center over its nearly 35 years.  How many of them were inspired to dream big and consider what the great astonomer Carl Sagan said, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known".  Who knows, perhaps that person who will make one of those discoveries will be attending the Space Center this week, or next, or the one after that........and will credit that spark of wonder to this magical place in Pleasant Grove, Utah

Mr. Williamson 

A New Doctor ID Badge

    Chris A., is one of the outstanding Voyager Volunteers at the Space Center. He had a great idea a few weeks ago. He was putting on a doctor's coat, saw me working in the Staff Room, and walked over to propose an idea for those volunteers playing the ship's doctors in the simulators.  "Mr. Williamson, would it be possible for us to have our own Doctor's ID badges for when we play a ship's Doctor?"

        Well Chris, your idea has become a reality.  

      This is the generic first version of the badge.  There may be modifications.  The volunteers can earn a personalized badge with their doctor's character name once they complete the Voyager Club Acting Department's Doctor Training workshops (there are 2 of them). Tyler Weight will be the instructor.  The first of two classes will be held July 26 during the montly Voyager Club meeting.  

This Week in SpaceLandia.  The Space Center's Week in Photos along with Photos from the Past

The Imaginarium Theater

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