Challenger Center for Space Science Education
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Challenger Center is an international, not-for-profit education organization that was founded by the families of the astronauts from Challenger Space Shuttle mission 51-L.
Through Challenger Center's programs and its international network of Challenger Learning Centers, the diversity, spirit, and commitment to education that exemplified the Challenger 51-L mission continues to make an impact on students, teachers, and families today.
These positive learning experiences raise students’ expectations of success; foster a long-term interest in mathematics, science, and technology; and motivate them to pursue careers in these fields.
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[edit] Mission
The mission of Challenger Center is to spark in young people an interest-and a joy-in science. A spark that can change their lives-and help make American enterprise the envy of the world. As new advances in science and technology occur at an ever more accelerated pace, the need for excellence in education has never been more essential. The Center sponsors an annual conference to provide professional development opportunities for Challenger Learning Center staffs.
[edit] Organization History
In the aftermath of the Challenger accident, the 51-L crew's families came together, still grieving from loss, but firmly committed to the belief that they must carry on the spirit of their loved ones by continuing the Challenger crew's educational mission.
In tribute to the astronauts’ courage and vision, Challenger Center for Space Science Education was founded and incorporated on April 24, 1986. A campaign to raise $1 million in start-up funds was underway by the fall of 1986. All of the families offered their full support. So did companies such as Rockwell International, manufacturer of the space shuttle; Lockheed Martin; and the Gannett Foundation. Then Vice President George Bush wrote a personal check. Many contributions were also received by several memorial funds quickly established to assist the families or to build memorials. In support of the strategic plan, Congress established a $15 million Space, Science, and Technology Education Trust Fund to yield a minimum of $1 million annually in interest for Challenger Center for the next decade. It has subsequently been renewed into perpetuity. The first Challenger Learning Center opened at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in 1988.
[edit] Center Locations
Funds were raised for a planned anchor learing center in Washington DC and a site was designated by Congress. However, the DC Government refused to surrender the property, which subsequently became a townhouse development. Other centers are located at:
- Kenai AK - Challenger Learning Center of Alaska
- North Birmingham A - Challenger Learning Center
- Peoria AZ - Challenger Space Center
- Tucson AZ - Challenger Learning Center of the Southwest
- Atwater CA - Challenger Learning Center of the San Joaquin Valley
- Carson CA - Honeywell Challenger Learning Center
- Downey CA - Challenger Learning Center
- Oakland CA - Chabot Space and Science Center
- Sacramento CA - Challenger Learning Center
- San Diego CA - Nierman Challenger Learning Center
- Colorado Spings, CO - Challenger Learning Center of Colorado Springs
- Bridgeport CT - Challenger Learning Center at The Discovery Museum
- Jacksonville, FL - Challenger Learning Center
- Tallahssee, FL - Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee
- Tampa FL - Verizon Challenger Learning Center
- Columbus GA - Challenger Learning Center
- Kapolei HI - Challenger Learning Center
- Bloomington IL - Challenger Learning Center of Central Illinois
- Woodstock IL - Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology
- Brownsburg IN - Brownsburg Challenger Learning Center
- Hammond IN - Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana
- Indianapolis IN - Indianapolis Challenger Learning Center
- Wellington KS - Challenger Learning Center of Kansas
- Hazard KY - Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky
- Paducah KY - Challenger Learning Center at Paducah
- Radcliff KY - Challenger Learning Center of Hardin County
- Baton Rouge LA - Louisiana Art & Science Museum
- Framingham MA - McAuliffe Challenger Center
- Lanham MD - Challenger Learning Center at Howard B. Owens Science Center
- Bangor ME - Challenger Learning Center of Maine
- Kalamazoo MI - Challenger Learning Center
- Kansas City MO - Challenger Learning Center
- St. Louis MO - Challenger Learning Center—St. Louis
- Missoula MT - Challenger Learning Center of the Northern Rockies
- Paramus NJ - Buehler Challenger & Science Center
- Rochester NY - The Challenger Learning Center of Greater Rochester
- Suffern NY - Challenger Learning Center of the Lower Hudson Valley
- Cincinnati OH - Challenger Learning Center of Cincinnati
- Dayton OH - Challenger Learning Center of Greater Dayton
- Oregon OH -Challenger Learning Center of Lucas County
- Columbia SC - Challenger Learning Center
- Chattanooga TN - Challenger Learning Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Houston TX - Challenger Learning Center
- Needville TX - Challenger Learning Center George Observatory
- San Antonio TX - Challenger Learning Center of San Antonio
- San Benito TX - Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley
- Alexandria VA - Challenger Learning Center of Greater Washington
- Richmond VA - Mathematics & Science Center
- Seattle WA - Challenger Learning Center
- Wheeling WV - Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University
- Toronto Ontario Canada - Ontario Science Centre,
- Leicester UK - Challenger Learning Centre
[edit] External Links
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