Roblox, Mars, a Museum, and More! š§Ŗ
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The Ten News: Season 4, Episode 30
The Ten News is going on a field trip! š Tag a long with Pamela & Ryan on a field trip to the Museum of Science, Boston ā Learn 5 fun facts about the museum and top recommendations for when you take a visit šŖ Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a Planeteer? The Director of Immersive Theaters and Programs at the Museum of Science, Dani LeBlanc tells us all about her job and we get to meet some of her team! š® Plus, Ryan gets to play an out of this world version of Roblox inside of the Charles Hayden Planetarium with Chief Digital Officer Alexis Rapo š And, on the trivia throne: who is Mars named after?
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TRANSCRIPT:
INT. TEN NEWS STUDIO
EXT. TEN NEWS STUDIO PARKING LOT
<SFX machine tinkering/building>
RYAN: A couple of adjustments hereā¦
PAM: Chad. What is Ryan doing?
CHAD: Heās building a rocketship so he can visit MARS.
PAM: Butā¦thatās just a go-cart with a rocket on the back of it. That wonāt make it to Mars.
CHAD: Thatās correct. But he also built a rampā¦
RYAN: READY FOR LAUNCH!
PAM: Ummm, Ryan, I donāt think thatās very safe, buddy. Weāre leaving for the Museum of Science: Boston soonā¦ Maybe we should cancel the launch and just start the showā
<SFX ROCKET FIRES UP>
RYAN: Yeah! We can start! Iām Ryan Willard and Iām going to Mars.
PAM: And Iām Pamela Kirkland. And weāre actually going to the Museum of Science Boston. Itās Thursday, December 21st.
RYAN: This is the <SFX ROCKET LAUNCHES> Teeeeen Neeeeews.
<BEAT>
<SFX CRASH>
EXT. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE: BOSTON
<SFX walking>
<SFX crowd noise>
RYAN: I mean, Iām not a billionaire, so I thought I should just, DIY a rocket to Mars.
PAM: Yeah, I think we should leave that to the rocket scientists? You didnāt even have a proper space suit.
RYAN: Some people have space suits, and others have rocketship pajamasā¦ So what is this place?
INT. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE: BOSTON - PLANETARIUMā
<SFX light crowd noise>
PAM: Weāre at the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts. I know how much you want to go to Marsā¦ and the museum has come up with some pretty amazing exhibits and projects that I think youāre going to love.
RYAN: Iām hyped. Thereās been a lot of news about Mars lately from our friends at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In October, NASAās 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter turned 22! For 22 years, itās been sending back photos of Mars and most recently sent really cool images of Phobos, Marsā little moon. And on December 12th, the Mars Rover Perseverance marked its 1,000th day on the red planet! That little robot has lasted so much longer than expected and itās helping scientists learn alot about Mars. Oh, look, they have a model of Perseverance here at the Museum.
PAM: And while Mars right now is too close to the sun for us to see it from Earth, it will be visible in the sky again starting in January. But that is why places like this museum are great to visit. We can learn all about the things around us without leaving the Earth.
RYAN: HOLD ON. I SEE SOMETHING.
<SFX SPRINTS AWAY>
<SFX SPRINTS BACK>
PAM: You okay, Ry? Whereād you just run off to?
RYAN: <SFX breathing heavy> They have space ice cream. Itās my favorite and I only ever see it at Science Museums. <SFX tears open bag> Want some?
PAM: Yes please. Cāmon, itās this way to the Planetarium.
RYAN: Wait, they have a Planetarium?!
PAM: Of course they do! I love Planetariums. I wonder if we can get someone to show us aroundā¦
{SFX: walking around, crowd noise behind them}
RYAN: There! Excuse me, hi, are you a planetarium person? Or a planeteer? Is that the right term?
DANI: Hi there. Hi Pam.
Dani: Hi there. Hi, Pam. I'm Danny LeBlanc.
Dani: I work at the Museum of Science in the planetarium
RYAN: You know the planeteer?!
Pamela: She's the director of immersive theaters and programs at the Museum of Science. It's a really cool job.
Ryan: I want that
Ryan: job.
Dani: I love my job.
Dani: I started here as an intern twenty four years ago, and so I started by presenting shows. So I learned how to actually do the presentation. So if you come to the planetarium, you'll see a presenter like me or any of the planetarium team Talking about all kinds of things. We can talk about the night sky and show you constellations and the planets that are visible on any night, Or we can talk about space in general and actually give tours of the solar system and take you to different planets that you wanna see And the galaxies and all of the galaxies in the universe, our system is able to kind of travel in real time through this, um, [00:01:00] three-dimensional map of the universe. It's very, very cool.
Ryan: And what do you actually do on a day to day basis in your job?
Dani: on a day to day basis, so the planetarium every day is really, really different. The morning, we might have schools that are coming in. So classes with their teachers that are here on field trips, they'll come in and we'll do tours for them of the of the night sky and of of the of the solar system. Um, then we'll have [00:01:30] shows for the public.
Dani: So we have all kinds of shows happening all day long, Um, and we're running all kinds of programs. At the same time, we're also developing programs behind the scenes.
Pamela: So Mars. We're here because Ryan really wants to go to Mars, and This was the best idea I could come up with.
Dani: So right now, we have an awesome show, uh, about Mars called Destination Mars, Um, that's all about the human's journey and desire to go to Mars and to travel to Mars and explore Mars and so we use actual NASA data to kind of help people imagine what it might be like to fly across like the canyons of Mars and see the mountains of Mars and the volcanoes there.
Dani: One of the things that we do, um, when we're delivering shows is we usually have a pilot and a presenter. So the pilot is in at the console flying, um, and actually navigating at the controls. And, again, it's, like, happening in real time. So we can take people to different planets. When when they wanna go see we can take them to Saturn.
Dani: If they wanna go see a black hole, we can take them to a black hole. So we can, like, respond in the moment like that, and then the presenter's upfront. And so one thing that's really, really fun is that The presenter and the pilot can kind of banter and talk to the audience and make jokes, and it's a very interactive and very, um, communal Experience that we really love when we do those live presentations.
Ryan: could I ever star in
Ryan: one of these films that play at the
Ryan: planetarium?
Dani: You have a wonderful voice, and we're always looking for voices and narrators. It is a, um, you know, the voice is a very important role, so perhaps we can find a job for you to be the voice of the universe.
Ryan: Thank you for saying that. I accept your offer as being the voice of the universe, and I will speak extra loudly like this.
Pamela: It's a very dangerous idea to think of Ryan as the voice of the universe.
Dani: So, um, yes, Ryan and Pamela, come be our guest stars,
Pamela: Why did you guys decide on focusing on Mars for one of the shows?
Dani: So Mars, for of all the planets in the solar system besides Earth, Mars is the one that we've explored the most. Mars is the one that's most like, if we imagine ever traveling to another planet, it's the place that we would want to go.
Dani: It is, of all the other planets, Potentially the most hospitable. And so if we can go and study Mars right now with our robots, but maybe one day with humans, we can actually learn more about what it takes For life to form on any planet.
Ryan: Have you been to Mars yourself?
Dani: I have never been to Mars. in only through the magic of the planetarium.
Pamela: I heard there are some really big initiatives that the museum is getting into.
Dani: Yeah. So one really cool thing that the museum is starting to do, um, is to think about the museum not just as a place where people can go visit, but we realized that there's a lot of people who can't get to the Museum of Science. And so we're trying to do and provide experiences that get to people no matter where they are, whether they're in their classrooms or if they're anywhere around the world. Um, you can come to the museum, or you can experience museum content through online channels. And, um, and so The work that I am starting to lead has to do with the Center for Space Sciences, and the planetarium is just one part of that.
Pamela: Awesome.
Ryan: I very much want to go on this journey and be a pilot and also be the voice of the universe. So thank you for all of
Ryan: these job opportunities.
Dani: Wait. Hang on. There's my colleague, Katie Sullivan, and she can tell you even more about it. Hey, Katie. Meet Pam and Ryan, they're first timers, and I think they want jobs with us.
<Music Intro>
RYAN: The Museum of Science in Boston has been around for a long time. Let me tell you some fun facts about it:
It started as the Boston Society of Natural History in 1830! Almost 200 years ago.
The museum is located on the Charles River and is in both the city of Boston AND the city of Cambridge. So when you are walking across the museum, you walk across the official border.
Over 150,000 students come through a year on field trips. Thatās a lot of visits!
Not only is the museum a science museum, it is also an accredited zoo. They have over 100 animals and a really fun live animal show.
And we have to check this out, the hall of electricity contains the worldās largest Van De Graff generator which can create lightning bolts. It can generate up to 2 Million volts!
And lastly, our science loving show creator, Tracy Kaplan loves coming here with her family and loves watching the Foucault Pendulum that shows the rotation of the earth.
Check out the links in our show notes to learn more about the museum and its science podcast, Pulsar.
CAITY: CAITY INTRO / PLANETARIUM RUNDOWN
Caity: Hi, Pam. Hi, Ryan.
Caity: Nice to meet you both.
Ryan: Nice to meet you, Katie. It. How did you get started at the museum?
Caity: I started way back as an intern running the planetarium's day to day operations and presenting live planetarium shows about the universe to the public. After about a year of doing that, A full time planetarium educator position opened up, so I immediately applied, and I've been here ever since.
Ryan: It. Okay. What is a full time planetarium educator exactly? Because that sounds awesome.
Caity: Yeah. Basically, it means that I teach astronomy to all kinds of folks that come through the museum, including school groups and the general public. Some days I come in, start up the theater, make sure all the tech is working [00:02:00] properly, and then I might present a show to students who are on field trips, um, and take them on a tour of the universe. Other days, I'm working with other teams across the museum to develop astronomy programming outside of the planetarium, so think places like the exhibit halls, stage presentations, um, online as well.
Caity: And then sometimes I even get to create some of the visuals that appear in the planetarium, So it is different every day.
Pamela: So you mentioned a lot of school groups come [00:02:30] through the museum. What's that like being able to give kids a tour of the space, and has anyone asked you any really silly questions while they've been there?
Caity: Yeah. So it depends on the age group.
Caity: Some of the younger students that come in are in awe immediately because of the interesting nature of the space. They kind of already think that they're outside and maybe in space in reality. Um, and then some of the middle schoolers are quite funny. Um, their favorite planet is always Uranus, so we visit it Every time.
Pamela: How do you create some of the visuals? I mean, it's you have an entire galaxy to work with.
Caity: Yeah. So I'm still learning. Um, still very new at it, but there are all kinds of software, um, and programs that you can use to animate and edit together to create things that will work on our spherical dome or hemispherical dome.
PAM: Awesome, thanks for the insight, Caity and Dani. Ryan, maybe one day you can work atā Ryan? Has anyone seen Ryan?
PAM: Yeah, that feels right.
<SFX walking>
INT. PLANETARIUM - SCIENCE MUSEUM
Caity: The ice cream trail leads right into here.
RYAN: (muffled, behind a closed door) YAAAAAASSSS!!!
PAM: Ryan?
Ryan: Welcome to the Charles Hayden Planetarium.
Pam: Okay. Looks lit ke you've made yourself at home,
Ryan: right?
Ryan: Yeah. I met a new friend in here. This
Alexis: is Alexis.
Alexis: Hi, Pam. I'm Alexis Rapo, the chief digital officer for the Museum of Science.
Ryan: Chief digital officer Pamela, which means she is the highest of the digital realm here at the Museum of Science.
Ryan: Uh sorry, Alexis, what exactly does a chief digital officer do?Like, what what is your job like?
ALEXIS: Okay. Well, I have the coolest job. I just wanna say that upfront. So what do I do? Well, I would say that every day is like being an explorer.
I sort of get to go on these treasure hunts of this world of science and technology. So a day could look like this. I might start our day diving into the latest digital creations, Uh, making sure the things we're making are full of interesting science and full of surprises, then I might join my team to map out new games, new quests. Maybe we're designing a game where you can create and run your own sustainable farm. Maybe we're adding more things, and more missions, and more space suits, And more things that I can't tell you about, you're just gonna have to find in Mission Mars. And then maybe we're crafting a video that takes you on a journey the stars, or interviewing someone who is just the most incredible person in science, that we feel like you have to hear them you're gonna be so inspired, and you're going to want to do that job. Whatever it is, we're always looking to tell an amazing story, create an amazing experience. And so my job is sort of like being an adventurer. I get to uncover hidden gems of science, and I get to share them with the world.
Ryan: Uh, Alexis, can you please tell Pamela what you just told me so she knows I'm not making it up?
Alexis: Sure. Alright, Pam. Here is the deal. I told Ryan that as a special holiday treat, he could play Roblox right here on the planetarium screen.
PAM: And thatās why I heard an excited scream earlier.
RYAN: Can we play can we play can we play?
Alexis: And I think you're both really gonna like this version of Roblox. You know what we're doing? We're going to Mars.
So at the Museum of Science, our goal is to inspire a love of science in everyone. And we have people that come to the museum every day. We have people who visit us online. And we thought, how can we reach as many people as possible and show them how exciting life in space and life on Mars could be.
Alexis: So we built this game on Roblox. It's called Mission Mars. And every day, you can come and play and design your rover and test your rover And take it out on the surface of Mars and test all of your hypotheses and then bring it back in and redesign it. And to us, it's just the most amazing experience to learn science, drive on Mars, and experience what it would be like to actually be there.
Alexis: One of the ways you get to do that is you get to step into your Mars survival suit. You get to dress like an astronaut, and you get to design high-tech Mars rovers, And they are designed by you to help you accomplish your missions. While you're out there, you get to collect samples of water, samples of ice, And drive around, test, bring samples back, and really get to experience what it would be like.
Alexis: This sounds
Pam: like astronaut preparation trading. I'm afraid Ryan's gonna play this game and think he's now Mhmm. To go to
Ryan: space.
RYAN: I was already training to go to space, this is just going to accelerate that training.
' Go to Go to
Alexis: Well, here's Caroline Cacosa, our great project manager, to help guide you on this special mission.
Caroline: Hi, Ryan. Hi, Pam. Ready for this?
Ryan: Yes. I am so ready.
Ryan: I've been waiting for this basically my entire life.
Caroline: We're going to play a game that's gonna bring us to Mars as if we were astronauts on missions across the red planet.
Ryan: Do I need to wear a seat belt?
Caroline: You probably should wear a seat belt if you're on a rocket, but luckily, this game starts with us already on the red planet.
Ryan: Should I put on my rocket ship pajamas before I start
Ryan: playing.
Caroline: I think that would be great.[00:00:30]
Ryan: What kind of controller will I be using in this scenario?
Caroline: We've got a couple options. Um, you can use a tablet or you can use a computer keyboard.
Ryan: Oh, interesting. So I can use a tablet or my device? Can I use, like, a phone
Ryan: too?
Caroline: Definitely. Phones are encouraged.
Ryan: Excellent. Last but most serious question, am I allowed to eat space ice cream during these missions?
Caroline: I think we can make that happen.
Ryan: Yes.
Caroline: Sure. Alright.
RYAN: Caroline. Can you please take us to Marsā¦?
Caroline: Let's get going.
ROBLOX GAME SOUNDS HERE
Ryan: [00:04:00] Um, so I just have a question. There's so many cool games out there that you could use.
Ryan: Why would you choose Roblox, And what was it like working with the Roblox team?
Alexis: Yeah. That is a great question. We have loved working with the Roblox team. So what we love about the platform is that it's playful.
Alexis: It's immersive. We can create beautiful experiences, and [00:04:30] we have had a really wonderful relationship with the Roblox team. And as a chance to reach millions and millions of people, we also have had the ideal partner, uh, who has worked with us to Try to help us think through how do you create amazing experiences that are learning experiences That don't feel like education, that feel like experiences where I get to learn Mars. I get to learn Mars through Data [00:05:00] that comes from NASA, and I get to experience this environment in a way that is immersive And exciting. And is learning in the process, but doesn't feel like learning?
Ryan: Uh, hold up. I need clarification, chief digital officer. Uh, did you say that I'm learning playing video games right
Alexis: now? You didn't even know you were. Right, Ryan?
Ryan: No. I did not ask to learn, but I'm slightly delighted because I think that means if I'm learning while playing video games, I can be learning [00:06:30] as much as I want to without Screen time limits. Is that
Alexis: correct?
Alexis: You didn't even know you were. Right, Ryan?
Ryan: Well, I will tell my boss, Tracy Kaplan, that you said that. So thank you for that extra screen time that I will be taking advantage of for the rest of the month.
Alexis: You are so welcome.
Pam: Alexis, thank you so much. This has been So much fun.
Pam: But, Ryan, we've got more of the museum to see. Come on. Let's go.
Ryan: There's more?
PAM: Letās ask some kids what they like best about the museum and what theyād take with them to Mars!
INT. PIANO STAIRS - SCIENCE MUSEUM
PAM: There it is. The world famous, PIANO STAIRS.
RYAN: Wait. If you walk on those stairs it plays like a piano?!
PAM: Exactly.
<SFX Piano stairs>
RYAN: Hold up. Is thatā¦? OWEN?
OWEN: Whatup Ry. Hi Pam!
RYAN: What are you doing here?! And who is this grandfather looking dude?
OWEN: I came here with my grandfather, heās been coming here since he was my age.
DONALD: Hi, Iām Donald Kaplan.
RYAN: YOUāRE D-KAP?!
DONALD: Please donāt call me that.
RYAN: What about G-KAP, like Grandpa Kaplan?
DONALD: My usual nickname is Dr. Grandpa since I'm a retired doctor.
RYAN: Oh, that is much cooler!
PAM: Owen, any chance you want to do some Trivia?
OWEN: Well since weāre not in the studio, I must sayā¦ WELCOME TO THE TRIVIA STAIRS.
<SFX Piano stairs riff>
OWEN: I nominate my grandfather to participate in todayās trivia. Would you play?
DONALD: Anything for you, or in the name of science!
OWEN: Perfect!
{Insert trivia on the ten audio lead-in}
OWEN: Mars is known as the Red Planet because itās covered soil, rock and dust made from iron oxide which gives the surface a red rusty color. But do you know who the planet Mars was named after? Is itā¦
The Roman God of War
A chocolate bar or
Named after the person who first discovered it
DONALD: ADLIB RESPONSE
OWEN: The answer isā¦ A! Mars was named after Mars, the Roman God of War. The ancient Romans named it after their God of War because the planetās reddish color reminded them of blood! Other civilizations named the planet after the red attribute. The Egyptians called it, āHer Desherā meaning āthe red one.ā
DONALD: That was great, thanks for having me on the Trivia Stairs, Owen!
OWEN: Tenāers, do you have a trivia question that you want me to ask? Leave us a cool fact at 877-TEN-NEWS and we might have it on the show!
PAM: Alright Ry, time to head homeā¦ummmm, what are you mixing in that bowl?
RYAN: Iām making ice cream. DIY ice cream baby!
PAM: Ooooof, that smells like burnt cheese. Why does it look and smell so gross?
RYAN: Well since Iāve failed as an ice cream maker, maybe you could take me on a field trip to an ice cream museumā¦
PAM: I see what you did there. Yeah I think we can stop and get some ice cream on the way home, since it is time for our Holiday breakā¦
RYAN: Oh yeah! Tenāers: Weāre going to be on holiday until January. But you can stay in touch with us by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or leaving us a voice message at 877-TEN-NEWS.
PAM: Speaking of the holidays, Iām gonna throw an Easter Egg in at the very end of this episode. So if you listen to the end, you might have a chance to win something.
RYAN: I LOVE WINNING THINGS.
PAM: You canāt win this one, Ry.
RYAN: Okay. Should we give Ten News Snaps to one of our listeners?
PAM: Yup! But before we do, hereās a quick note for the grownups:
RYAN: Time for Ten News Snaps! <Grand fanfare SFX>
PAM: A Tenāer named yuyuygfv&drfttv left us this review on Apple Podcasts and said: āThis show is awesome. I have learned sooooooooooo much it is super fun. I listen to it in the shower and I love it. You guys are the best!ā followed by 60 emojis.
RYAN: Thank you yuyuygfv&drfttv and thank you for reminding me to shower! Itās been a couple of days... And thanks for listening to the Ten News. Ten Things You Need to Know drops every Tuesday and our in-depth reports drop every Thursday. And if you want some bonus content, you could join the Tenāers Club on our website.
PAM: āThe Ten Newsā is a co-production of Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter Podcasts, and part of the Airwave Podcast Network.
RYAN: The Ten News creative team is virtually exploring the Red Planet and includes Tracey Crooks, Logan DeYoung, Corinne Catibayan, Carson Potter, and Chad Chenail. Big thanks to Owen and Dr. Grandpa for doing the Trivia. And an extra big thanks to the Museum of Science in Boston and to our special guests: Caroline, Alexis, Dani and Caity, and to the kidsā¦
PAM:
Our Production Director is Jeremiah Tittle, and our Executive Producers are Donald Albright and show creator Tracy Leeds Kaplan.
PAM: And hereās that Easter Egg: If youāve been listening you know that my secret holiday friend got me a Nintendo Switch for Christmasā¦and it came with a download code for Super Smash Bros Ultimate. That gameās a liiiiittle too crazy for me, so Iām giving it away to one of our Tenāers! If you want a chance to win the Smash Bros download code, leave us a voice message at 877-TEN-NEWS and tell us something you love about the show, and an email address for a grown up!
RYAN: I would try and win, but Iām definitely not allowed to, because, Iām Ryan Willard.
PAM: And Iām Pamela Kirkland; thanks for listening to The Ten News.
PAM/RYAN: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
