American Dynasty

The original paper helm station for the classroom starship Pegasus.      I'm often asked, "How did this place [the Space Center] get started?" It's a story I've shared hundreds of times over the last thirty years. Many of you Troubadours know the story so I'll be brief.        Spring 1983. Because of a clerical mistake at BYU, my 3rd grade student teaching assignment in Springville was mistakenly given to another student. I was called into the education department office and asked if I'd be kind enough to take a 6th grade student teaching position at Central Elementary School in Pleasant Grove. Mr. Mike Thompson was to be my cooperating teacher. I didn't know where Pleasant Grove was but gladly took the assignment; I liked the 6th grade curriculum and the more mature students.       My 6th Grade Student Teaching Class. Mr. Thompson is on the left. Mr. Emal (principal) on the right. This was their class picture taken in Sep...

The IKS Marvel's Bridge Hello Space EdVenturers!      This is one of those exciting posts celebrating the opening of a new Dream Flight Adventurers simulator.  The IKS Marvel is located at  Dansville Elementary School  in Dansville, Michigan almost smack dab in the center of the glove.       The  IKS Marvel  will be led by  Angela St. Amant —a.k.a. Admiral Ameliorous—who has been an educator at Dansville Schools for over 15 years and currently serves as a technology and STEAM teacher, K-8.  She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University as well as an MA in Literacy Instruction and her Administration Certificate, both from Michigan State University.  She’s a perfect fit for Flight Director as the  IKS Marvel  takes off.       The IKS Marvel is the 66th simulator in the fleet of Voyager inspired simulators  and Dream Flight Adventures ...

Last night at the Space Center Advisory Board meeting Dr. Vicki Carter unveiled the final drawings of the new Space Center just released by the architects and YOU get to see it first.   "Wow,!" about sums it up.  Look at how far we've come as a Space Center community; from poster board controls and overhead projector in 1983 to the opening of the Voyager in 1990, then several more simulators from 1991 to 2013, and now to this next phase in what will be a long future of space education for the students in the Alpine School District.   The district is nearly ready to fence off Central Elementary's playground so construction can start in a couple weeks. The new Space Center and Central School should be ready to open a year from next month.  Mr. Porter is looking into installing a construction cam so die hard Space Center fans can keep up with the latest in construction updates.  Fund Raising I've heard from a reputable source that an...