How many teachers and students do you reach?

Thousands of students and teachers take part in Challenger Center programs every year. Through community outreach, school-based programs, and our Challenger Learning Center simulators, we provide countless resources, educational materials, and training to the educational community. Highlights include:

• Over 500,000 students participate in Challenger Learning Center missions each year.
• Tens of thousands of students participate in after-school, summer, and weekend programs held at Challenger Learning Centers.
• 15,000 teachers are trained through the Challenger Learning Center Network each year.

Why was Challenger Center created?

All seven crew members of mission STS-51-L were dedicated to education and reaching young people, which is one of the many reasons that Christa McAuliffe, America’s first Teacher in Space, was such an integral part of the outstanding team of pilots, scientists, and professionals.

Although that mission ended in tragedy, and the world’s students were not able to see Mrs. McAuliffe teaching lessons from the ultimate classroom, the family members of the crew most wanted to continue their mission of education.

Thanks to their efforts, Challenger Center has given young people the unique ability to experience the wonders of exploration in the same way the crew had.

Challenger Learning Centers

Challenger Learning Centers are technology- rich facilities located throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Staffed by master teachers, the core of each Learning 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.

Challenger Learning Centers are located in school districts, museums, science centers, and university campuses. It is here that students become astronauts and engineers, solving real-world problems as they share the thrill of discovery on missions through the Solar System.