American Dynasty

     I'm using the art and science of experiential education six days a week; whether it be in space aboard the Starships Voyager and Cassini or in my sixth grade classroom at Renaissance Academy in Lehi.  Let me give you an example from this week.  My challenge - how do I take something as mundane as the creation of the Triple Entente of 1907, and its significance in creating the world we live in today, from a lecture to an experience?  The task pulls my thoughts far to the right side of the brain where creativity thrives.       Last week, as part of the modern history segment of my hour long history class (my class period is divided into modern history - 1900 - present, and ancient history) the students worked their way through the reasoning and rationale for the creation of the Triple Entente by seeing it play out in the room. They saw the students playing the German and Austria Hungary ambassadors working together on an alliance call...

People Who Entertain for a Living Need to be Entertained.  Thank You Tyler Weight       Last week a brutal murder was committed at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. Found dead was the fragile sweetheart of the forest, Snow White.  Her body was discovered outside the Magellan's transporter exit.   A photo of Snow White taken minutes before the heinous crime. She was enjoying herself  with "friends" when her life was cut short - and no prince's kiss could save her.      The question to be solved, who was the culprit?  Those present when the dastardly deed was committed were people you know from your childhood; people you grew up with, some you even admire to this day.  Let me introduce the suspects : Jon "Big Teeth" the Wolve       Throughout the night your fabled heroes mingled and mixed whilst enjoying a lavish banquet to celebrate the pending arrival of spring. It was for man...

Where are the remains of the once mighty Starship Voyager, the ship that started them all?  That questions came to me yesterday after receiving a welcomed message from Jordan Osborn, a former Space Center staff member.  Jordan currently lives in Oregon, works for InfiniD on their content team, and is working towards an MBA degree at Willamette University.   Jordan is the proud owner of the following piece of the Starship Voyager.  The old timers out there will remember this sign from the Briefing Room entrance to the Voyager. You can see the "Caution" sign above the Voyager's entrance in the picture above which was taken at the Odyssey's grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony in the early 1990's.   Why the "Caution, Watch Overhead Clearance" sign?  When I built the Voyager onto Central School in 1990 I had to decide where to put the entrance. I wanted four entrances, two from the playground (upstairs and basement) and two from the school....

        It's late Saturday night. The swing shift is off duty.  The staff are gathered in the office for a good old fashion chinwag.  It isn't often the younger staff get to sit at the feet of an old veteran like Papa Parker and hear the tales of daring flight directors and courageous supervisors from times past.        "You think this has been a long day?"  I hear Jon reminise as she strokes his chin to find the right words.  "Try flying a full day's field trips, then a 4:00 P.M. private mission and then an overnight camp.  Now that's a day's work."  Around him I see wistful eyes of the youngling staff wondering if they have that same grit.       "And then there were the summer camps......." Jon settles more comfortably in his chair as he clears his throat to continue.  "We started with a staff meeting at 6:30 on the first night. After that we signed the campers in. After sign ins Mr. Wi...