American Dynasty

Hello Readers,      Christmas is over and 2024 is fast approaching. On January 8 most of our Voyagers return to school (with a few returning this week). Returning after the Christmas holiday is dreaded by students worldwide. Teachers get to school first to turn on the lights, turn up the heat, try to remember where they left off in their curriculum, and review their list of sarcastic remarks intended to put overly sugared students back into learning mode. Students will slither back into the classrooms next between 7:30 A.M. and 9 A.M. You hear the roar gradually build as they gather in the hallways comparing their holiday adventures and gifts.  "Do I look like I'm happy to be back!?"      I do my best to kindly greet each student as they reluctantly enter my room, but I wouldn't place a wager on the number of optimistic responses I get back. Most give me a look of hopelessness. Others send a defiant stare as if to dare me to get them under control. I a...

Mr. James Porter and Mr. Jon Parker (the only picture I could quickly find of them together)  Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas          The Space Center's leadership team wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas.  Perhaps Mr. Porter and Mr. Parker will take some time off to spend with family and friends, they absolutely deserve it.        Aren't you impressed with the new additions to the Space Center programs over this last year - the laser shows, the new Christmas planetarium shows, the new lobby furniture?  And that doesn't even start to list improvements to the simulators.  Under Mr. Porter's leadership, look for more of the same in 2024.  The Space Center is the magical place to be.      Speaking of Christmas,  are you embracing the spirit of the holiday (or at least enjoying some time off)?        Teachers and students relish every minute of every vacation day because...

  Nathan King Receives the Hyperion's Microphone from Ryan Anderson            Dr. Ryan Anderson is retiring as director of the Telos Discovery Space Center at Telos Academy in Orem.  Honoring a long tradition in the Space EdVentures diaspora, he made the retirement official by performing the "Changing of the Microphone" ceremony where he passed the Hyperion's microphone to Nathan King, his chosen successor.        Dr. Anderson will be leaving Telos to take a new position outside of Utah.  As a community of space education centers, we wish Ryan the very best as he and his family embark on a new adventure.       Ryan leaves behind a space center he founded and put his heart and soul into, the Telos Discovery Space Center. The Telos center was unique in the fact that Ryan and his team pioneered the use of simulator based education to provide clinical treatment to the students of Telos U.  Telos ...

What Makes a Great Voyager Volunteer  Our Space Center is built on the foundation of great staff and outstanding volunteers.  I was recently asked by a Voyager Volunteer what he could do to be better. To answer that question, I want to talk about the characteristics of a great Voyager Volunteer. A Great Volunteer arrives on time. Contact the Center with a Discord message, email, or phone call to the Space Center's main phone number if you're going to be late.  A Great Volunteer dresses appropriately. Voyagers should wear the required black or navy blue pants.  If you are in doubt about what pants to wear, always go with black / navy blue dress pants. Athletic pants are OK as well as long as the colored strip which usually runs along the leg isn't pronounced. There is something very impressive about a volunteer walking into the Space Center wearing a Space Center T-shirt and black pants. It makes you look like you're ready to go to work.  A great volunteer comes ...