Education ForeCAST Tipsheet

Challenger Center: Exploring Our Universe The Challenger Center for Space Science Education is a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting science literacy. It was officially founded and incorporated in 1986 through the efforts of the families of the crew of Challenger 5-1L. There is a network of Challenger Learning Centers across North America. In partnership with museums, science centers, schools, universities and communities, these Challenger Centers use the theme of space exploration to create positive learning experiences, foster interest in science, math and technology, and motivate young people to explore. The Challenger Center Network will grow to 50 sites by the year 2000. Currently, the Learning Centers reach 300,000 students and teachers each year, a number that is projected to increase by 20% annually as new Centers come on-line. In addition to the Learning Centers, several classroom-based simulations have been developed and are available in more than 25,000 classrooms in North America: EdVentures -- Challenger Center's virtual travel agency on board the futuristic Millenium Station Marsville: The Cosmic Village and Mars City Alpha -- creating human habitat prototypes for Mars And Challenger Center Online delivers the lessons of the Learning Center through interactive simulations and applications on the Internet. The Classroom Experience On field trips to the Challenger Learning Centers, students operate a Mission Control Room and a Space Station. Modeled on the NASA Johnson Space Center and a room on board a space station, the Center is equipped with computer consoles, communication headsets, public address systems, electronic messages, video monitors, emergency alarms, flashing lights and experimental science stations. Activities in the curriculum include: Return to the Moon -- this mission, set in 2015, establishes a permanent base on the moon Rendezvous With A Comet -- similar to NASA's STARDUST program, scheduled to launch in 1999 Encounter Earth -- set in 2137, a mission to learn about the intricate relationships between the earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, ecosphere and geosphere Life on Mars -- continuing the exploration of the Red Planet, and the quest for life The simulation programs are specifically designed to provide students with an authentic encounter with science and technology. Simulation creates a cooperative learning atmosphere underscored by teamwork, communication, problem-solving and decision-making. Embedded throughout the simulations are opportunities for students to use multiple process skills, including manipulation, procedural and critical thinking skills. It provides students with an opportunity to use technology to apply the skills they've learned in the classroom. All the Challenger Center instructional models share these features: communication skills core integrated curriculum content creative and critical problem solving hands on activities responsible decision making space simulation teamwork and cooperation Challenger Learning Center meets National and State Educational Goals Challenger Center programs address the "Five Competencies" defined in the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills report from the Department of Labor, and meet the benchmarks for science literacy outlined in the American Association for the Advancement of Science Project 2061.

Challenger Learning Centers Emphasize Educational Reform Goals The Challenger Center's programs are helping transform the way teachers teach and students learn. The simulations are flexible to meet national education objectives while helping communities reach local curriculum goals. While each program has a space exploration theme, they are designed to promote math, science and technology, and to encourage students to improve their communication, decision-making, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Students following Challenger Learning Center curricula are engaged in: authentic tasks multidisciplinary tasks collaborative tasks student exploration interactive modes of instruction For more information contact the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, 1029 North Royal Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314, tel(703)683-9740; fax(703)683-7546. Visit Challenger Center for more information and for links to other exciting sites. (www.challenger.org) For contact with other programs that study space-based science and math, explore the following websites: NASA -- online resources for educators (www.hq.nasa.gov/) Center for Advanced Space Studies (http://cass.jsc.nasa.gov/) Exploring Planets in the Classroom (www.soest.hawaii.edu/) Aerospace Education Services Program (www.okstate.edu/) Global Schoolhouse (http://k12.cnidr.org/gsh/) Physics and Space Technology Directorate (www.phys.llnl.gov) San Juan Capistrano Research Institute(www.sji.org/) Listen to the Education ForeCAST piece on Challenger Learning Centers, from WAMU-FM Download a free copy of Real Audio here