What’s happening: T-minus 78 days and counting. The Challenger Learning Center at St. Clair County Community College’s (SC4) Experience Center is nearing its launch date and the organizations involved want to let the public know that they’re invited to help celebrate. The Challenger Learning Center launch party is scheduled for Saturday, April 30. The event is free and open to the public,
although registration is required.
What it is: The Challenger Learning Center teaches critical science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills by way of an exciting, hands-on and space-themed experience. The programming is geared toward 5th through 8th grades, although those programs are adaptable for high school students, too. Team-building opportunities are also available. The nationwide network of learning centers was created by the families of those astronauts lost in the Challenger shuttle tragedy in 1986.
Why it’s important: As SC4 welcomes the Challenger Learning Center to its Port Huron campus, the school becomes just one of 40 such learning center locations worldwide. The Blue Water Area becomes home to the first and only Challenger Learning Center in the state.
Who’s involved: The Challenger Learning Center comes to the SC4 campus thanks to a partnership between SC4, the Washington, D.C.-based Challenger Center nonprofit, and Unity in Learning, which includes the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, the Leslie Science & Nature Center, and the Yankee Air Museum.
What’s planned: Guests that register for the April 30 launch party will get to tour the new learning center, participate in “Super Science” experiments, and see live animals. A yet-to-be-announced NASA astronaut will also be on hand. Early registration is also open for Lunar Quest, which teaches student “crew members” STEM skills while engaging in a fun and interactive space mission.
What they’re saying: “We are so excited to open the doors to this new Challenger Learning Center and welcome the Southeast Michigan community to see all that it has to offer,” says Lance Bush, president and CEO of Challenger Center. “SC4 shares our vision and commitment to inspire the next generation. We’re proud to help play a part in that commitment with the addition of the Challenger Learning Center at SC4.”
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