The Space Center's Voyager Club December 2nd Meeting. New Members, News, and Comets!
The Christa McAuliffe Space Center's Voyager Club held our monthly meeting on Saturday, December 2nd. My pre-meeting ritual began before dawn, as always. By 6:15 A.M., I was out the door, heading to Smith's for the all-important Bingo goodies. The folks at the Lehi Smith's Marketplace know me well. I'm practically a local legend there, always showing up in the wee hours to snag day-old bakery treasures for my classroom. It's reached the point where I half-expect them to greet me with, *"Morning, donut whisperer."*
But alas, this time, the donut shelves were barren, there are some to get there before me. I know who they are and they know me. As a sign of mutual respect, we nod to each other when we pass. My hopes for meeting refreshments dimmed until I spotted a glimmer of salvation: cupcakes. Not just a few—dozens of the little lifeboats. Sure, day-old cupcakes are pricier than donuts, but considering the Space Center had just celebrated its 34th birthday on November 8th, I figured, *Why not live a little?* Nothing says "birthday" like slightly stale frosting and semi-moist cake. By 7:15 A.M., I was at the Space Center, my trunk loaded. Thankfully, my trusty expandable wagon was up to the task, sparing me from multiple trips. Over the years, that wagon and I have become quite the dynamic duo. Look for me if you ever visit Renaissance Academy. I'm the guy walking down the hallway with the black Radio Flyer. Setting up takes about 15 minutes: Bingo cards and prizes on the Faculty Room's back table, raffle prizes on the front counter, cupcakes strategically arranged (to maximize temptation), and my computer hooked up to the front wall TV. By 7:45 A.M., everything was ready. Now all I had to do was wait for the congregation of space enthusiasts to "beam down" with the promise of intergalactic fun.
Thomas, looking all regal in his Royal Blues (because nothing says authority like coordinated attire), kicked off the meeting at 8:00 A.M. with a round of Bingo for the eager early birds. Assisting him in this mission of number-calling and prize-distribution were Canon and Ellie, who handled the job with poise and professionalism.
At 8:30 A.M., the meeting officially began. Thomas, ever the gracious host, invited visitors and new members to step up and introduce themselves. A special guest from the Lion’s Gate Space Center at Lakeview Academy was a special visitor. Lion's Gate will be hosting the January 2nd Voyager Club meeting. Jonathan wanted to scope out the scene to ensure they’d be ready for the next galactic gathering. It’s always good to see inter-space-center diplomacy in action—truly the spirit of cooperation
After welcoming new members and visitors, Thomas spoke about an ongoing issue at the Space Center - the state of the Costume Closet. His firm, but friendly words, were accompanied by photos (above). "The Costume Closet isn't your bedroom. Everything has a place and everything should be in its place unless it is being used," he said. As he spoke, I glanced around the room looking for telltale signs of guilt. I counted at least seven pairs of shifting eyes accompanied by uncomfortable squirming. I stood and gave the group one of my stern teacher looks after Thomas's speech. I held the gaze for at least 5 seconds to prove that we meant business. Had I held the "look" any longer, profuse sweating would have been the result, and sweating teens are NOT what flight directors want in their control rooms for the 10:00 A.M. missions.
Tabitha Ricks and Mitch Foote were next on the agenda. Tabitha is the newly appointed director over the Space Center training program. Mitch is her assistant. They both train and coordinate the training of volunteers and staff who want to become flight directors and supervisors. That training starts with the Voyager Volunteers because nearly all Space Center employees started as volunteers.
Jason Trump gave a lesson on comets. Jason is the Director of Education at Clark Planetarium and a member of the Voyager Club's education team. Jason is a gifted educator who knows how to engage an audience with both his verbal presentation and visuals. On Saturday, the Voyagers learned about the different types of comets, what they are made of, why they have double tails of different color, and their types of trajectories. I pride myself in my general knowledge of space and astronomy and have never left one of Jason's lessons having not learned many things.
The meeting ended with the raffle for prizes. This month Voyagers won a Swig gift card, a multi-device charging station, t-shirts, a complete set of Apollo program patches from Cape Kennedy, and other items. The meeting was called to close at 10:00 A.M. Thank you to everyone who attended. We missed those club members who couldn't make it and hope to see you at our next meeting on January 2nd.
After the meeting, the Voyager Club Leadership Team met to plan for future events. Coming up is the Club's Holiday Party and the club meeting at the Lion's Gate Space Center on January 2nd. Those who attend that meeting will get to fly a 2.5 hour mission in Lakeview Academy's Apollo and Artemis starship simulators. Kyson M. The Phoenix's New Flight Director
Kyson is the newest Phoenix Flight Director at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. Kyson is a senior in high school and plans to go to university to study aeronautical engineering. "I'm heading into space," he told me when I asked him about his future plans. Kyson is also a regular at the Space Center's lobby desk, so if you happen to attend a Space Center program and find him there, offer your congratulations.
Lissa Hadfield is the Phoenix Set Director. Under her care, the Phoenix has a quality set of flight directors. And now, Kyson takes the Flight Director's Pledge and joins the others who comprise that very small professional guild of Flight Directors who work in Utah's twelve starship simulators (Magellan, Cassini, Odyssey, Phoenix, Falcon, Galileo III, Discovery, Galileo Mark V, Voyager, Apollo, Artemis, and Hyperion).
I pledge to honor the training and craftsmanship of the trainers and flight directors who came before me and guided my journey.
I pledge to set a shining example of professionalism for my staff, volunteers, and crew. I vow to lead and inspire my crews by upholding the mission’s goals and objectives. I promise to honor the pioneering spirit of the first ship, Voyager, by continually learning, improving, and refining my craft—until the day I pass my microphone to those who will carry the torch forward. Jon Parker Can Make Everything Right. Look What He Did to the Phoenix's Captain's Chair
When you have a limited budget and a great need you find ways to "make it work". That was the case last week with the Phoenix Captain's Chair. Lissa asked me to find a new captain's chair for the Phoenix on Amazon. The chair was in bad shape and needed to go. The back of the chair was good, but the seat needed to go. I found an office chair and placed the order. The chair arrived (seen above) but didn't have that cool factor needed for a starship captain's chair. The new chair ended up in the control room. I came in to take a look and a picture so I could write a review and saw the problem. Regardless of the fact that the new chair didn't have the cool factor - it was better than the existing chair (in my opinion). The Phoenix flight director's disagreed and Lissa was in-between on the issue.
Then Jon Parker stepped in and looked at the situation. I asked him to vote on the matter. He chastised us for not thinking out of the box and suggested a solution. With a screwdriver in hand, Jon when to work.
In no time at all, Jon created a hybrid chair. The seat of the new chair was attached to the back of the old chair; and with a "There you Go!" and a clap of the hands, Jon was done. The Phoenix captains get to rest their backsides on a half new chair complete with all the coolness factor. Well done Jon Parker.
Imaginairum Theater.
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AuthorMy name is Victor Williamson. I founded the Christa McAuliffe Space Center in 1990. I current teach 6th grade at Renaissance Academy and am the Space Center Outreach Coordinator (I take care of the volunteers). You can reach me by email: [email protected] Archives
October 2024
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