ALEXANDRIA, VA (PRWEB) June 21, 2004

Space Science Education Organization Founded in Memory of Challenger 51-L Crew Launches the 51st Challenger Learning Center in its Network

Challenger Center for Space Science Education, founded by the families of the astronauts tragically lost during the last flight of the Challenger Space Shuttle, celebrates the grand opening of its newest Challenger Learning Center—located in Bangor, Maine. The Challenger Learning Center of Maine is the 51st facility to open in the Learning Center network.

Challenger Learning Centers, which launch middle school students on simulated space flights to the Moon and Mars, are located in schools, universities, museums, and science centers throughout the United States, Canada, and England.

June Scobee Rodgers, Ph.D., widow of Challenger commander Dick Scobee, and the Founding Chairman of Challenger Center, said, “18 years ago, the families of the Challenger astronauts came together to determine how we could complete the mission for our loved ones—people who had believed in their work so deeply they were willing to risk their lives for it. We are an organization that largely exists to inspire and cultivate the dreams of students throughout the world. Yet, even we could never have imagined that one day, the education mission of 51-L would continue with 51 Challenger Learning Centers worldwide. We are over the moon that the Challenger Learning Center of Maine will soon be giving thousands of school children their first opportunities to journey to the space frontier.”

The Challenger Learning Center of Maine is housed in a renovated movie theater on the former Dow Air Force Base, which closed in 1968. The city of Bangor donated the land and building to the Learning Center. After three years of fundraising and development, the Challenger Learning Center of Maine commemorated its grand opening with special guests Grace Corrigan and Dr. Rodgers. Mrs. Corrigan is the mother of teacher Christa McAuliffe, who was on board the Challenger Space Shuttle.

The Learning Center will host mission simulations for students throughout Maine and as far as the New Brunswick province of Canada—approximately 200 miles away.

When asked how the Challenger Learning Center of Maine will make a difference in her community, Lead Flight Director Robin Kennedy said, “I’ve been a teacher for 15 years, and I’ve gotten used to hearing my students ask, ‘Why do I have to learn this?’ That question doesn’t come up in a Learning Center mission because the students get first-hand and hands-on applications for what they’ve studied. X & Y coordinates and spectral analysis. It’s extremely important for students to make the connection themselves that science and mathematics education exist and flourish outside of the classroom.”

About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Challenger Center is an education organization created in 1986 by the families of the astronauts tragically lost during the last flight of the Challenger Space Shuttle. Dedicated to the educational spirit of that mission, Challenger Center develops Learning Centers and other educational programs that continue the mission to engage students in science and mathematics education. These programs use the excitement of space exploration to create learning experiences that foster lifelong learning in mathematics, science, and technology, and develop critical communication, decision-making, team-building, and collaborative skills. For more information, visit www.challenger.org.
 

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