Challenger Learning Centers offer students the opportunity to be part of exciting simulated space missions. Challenger Center missions take place in a realistic Mission Control Room and an orbiting Space Station, produced with guidance from NASA.

Students are transformed into astronauts, scientists, engineers, researchers, journalists, and artists as they work together to solve problems, make decisions and share in the thrill of discovery. PRE-VISIT PREPARATIONTo prepare for launch day, teachers receive everything they need to make their class’ visit to a Challenger Learning Center a true exploratory, interactive learning experience. Prior to the visit, teachers receive professional development training along with a variety of mission specific preparatory materials. The classroom activities emphasize the importance of team work and communication, and help the students practice some of the skills they will need to perform during the mission. The other materials will help the students understand the theme of the mission and what their ultimate responsibility will be during this day of adventure. PERFORMING THE MISSIONWhen students arrive at a Challenger Learning Center, a short briefing is held during which students are given an overview of the mission and their assignments. The class is divided into two groups: one located in Mission Control and the other transported to the Space Station. Within each group, students are assigned to one of eight mirrored teams: Communications, Data, Isolation, Life Support, Medical, Navigation, Probe or Remote. Halfway through the mission, teams exchange locations so that students can experience

learning in both environments.

POST-VISIT: THE LEARNING cONTINuESBack at school, specific programs extend the Challenger Learning Center experience. Students analyze and reflect on the data gathered during the mission. They conduct post-flight briefings, news

conferences and other activities to transfer what they have learned into the everyday world of their classroom and school.

Regardless of their background, every student has the opportunity to succeed at a Challenger Learning Center. Students leave with a renewed spirit of camaraderie, boosted self-esteem, and a desire to explore and learn.

The Challenger learning CenTer experienCe

Our MissiOnEngage students and teachers in dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities that strengthen knowledge in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), inspire students to pursue careers in these fields, and provide an outlet to learn and apply important life skills. Our VisiOnBuild a scientifically literate public and shape our future leaders to help improve quality of life across the globe – not just through pragmatic teaching, but by the power of vision, inspiration and innovation. Our HistOryIn 1986, Challenger Center for Space Science Education (Challenger Center) was established by the families of the seven crew members who were tragically lost in the Challenger 51-L mission. Dedicated to the educational spirit of that mission, Challenger Learning Centers were developed to spark youth interest and joy in science and engineering and offer children, teachers, and citizens alike a place to explore science, learn effective problem solving strategies, and gain valuable teamwork skills. In 1988, the organization’s first Challenger Learning Center opened at the Houston Museum of Natural History. AbOut CHAllenger leArning Centers Today, there are more than 45 Challenger Learning Centers around the globe (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and South Korea). The Centers are located in schools, museums and science centers, on university and college campuses, or as stand-alone facilities. Many Challenger Learning Center sites are in regions lacking education and science resources. Staffed by educators known as Flight Directors, the core of each Center is an interactive computerized simulator with a Mission Control Room patterned after the NASA Johnson Space Center and an orbiting Space Station ready for exploration. It is at Challenger Learning Centers that students become astronauts and engineers, solving real-world problems as they share the thrill of discovery on missions through the Solar System. As a recognized leader in educational simulation, Challenger Center’s award-winning classroom and teacher training programs use the excitement of space exploration to create positive learning experiences designed to raise students’ expectations of success and develop critical communication, decision-making, and team-building skills. Challenger Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

422 First Street SE, 3rd Fl . • Washington, DC 20003 202.827.1580 • www.chal lenger.org

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challenger center for space science education

Challenger CenTer FOr SpaCe SCienCe eDUCaTiOn

THE MISSIONSEach Challenger Center mission is designed with the student and educator in mind. Through a combination of STEM-related content that matches closely with today’s educational standards, complex computer technology, real science data, and hands-on activities, students are immersed in a simulated environment. This unique setting promotes cooperative learning, creative problem solving and decision making, while simultaneously reinforcing and bringing relevance to concepts taught in their classroom. Mission availability varies by Center.

It is “mission accomplished” when the student crews leave a Challenger Learning Center having just participated in a truly unique, hands-on learning opportunity. While teaching and applying important life skills during each mission, students also experience a newfound excitement and passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It is this impact, this experience, and this passion that inspires students, our future leaders, to command their own destinies and pursue careers in these important STEM fi elds.

RETuRN TO THE MOON™For the fi rst time since 1972, a crew of astronauts is launching themselves into the future by returning to the moon. This time, they plan to stay. The mission is to establish a permanent base on the moon to observe and explore, as well as test the feasibility of off-Earth settlements. Navigating into lunar orbit, the team must construct and launch a probe, and analyze a variety of data

gathered from the lunar surface to select a site for establishing the permanent moon base. Students begin a new era in human planetary explorations during their mission to Return to the Moon.

RENDEZVOuS WITH A cOMET™A team of scientists and engineers are on a daring mission to take an up-close look at a comet as it streaks its way across the galaxy. The goal is to plot a successful course to Rendezvous with a Comet and launch a probe to collect scientifi c data on the object. First, the team must construct the space probe and plot the correct intercept course. What seems at fi rst to

be a routine exploration is fi lled with challenges and emergencies. Each obstacle that stands in the way of a successful mission requires students to work together as a team to fi nd a solution.

ENcOuNTER EARTH™In the summer of the year 2137, a Low Earth Orbiting satellite (LEO) has malfunctioned and must be replaced. The team has been called on to construct a new satellite, deploy the satellite, and retrieve important data about the Earth and its environment. Students collect data, avert disasters on Earth, and learn about the intricate relationships of

Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, ecosphere, and geosphere as you Encounter Earth.

VOYAGE TO MARS™In Earth years, it is 2076. A now routine Voyage to Mars has brought the latest human crew into Martian orbit. Control of the incoming fl ight has been transferred from Houston’s Mission Control to Mars Control at Chryse Station. The crew, arriving from Earth on the Mars Transport Vehicle, is specially trained to replace the existing crew of astronauts, which has manned Mars Control for

the past two years. After arriving on the Martian surface, the students collect and analyze a number of planetary samples and data. This information is vital to scientists and explorers for a better understanding of the red planet.

422 First Street SE, 3rd Fl . • Washington, DC 20003 202.827.1580 • www.chal lenger.org

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