Challenger Learning Center
Science & Technology Education Center
The vision for EIRC is to construct the center so it can be utilized
as a regional hub to raise student academic performance, enhance
teacher professional development, and motivate students to pursue
careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
(STEM) fields. The Center will be a critical regional resource that
will inspire students to become the next generation of leaders and
innovators of the global workforce. The vision will be accomplished
by a unique combination or educational organizations, corporate
partners, and government agencies. The Center will become a
classroom of the future not limited by the walls of the building, the
resources of the community, or the knowledge of the staff. The
Center will encourage students to see the world as their classroom
and embark on a never ending journey of investigation, knowledge,
and innovation.
“We can no longer solve problems by using the same kind of thinking
we used when we created them.”
Albert Einstein…
Challenger Learning Center
An Initiative to improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in our Schools
Challenger Learning Centers engages a student’s
natural enthusiasm for space to create innovative learning
experiences for imaginative young minds. By transforming the way
teachers teach and students learn, Challenger Center is creating a
new generation of explorers.
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. Perhaps that’s one reason why so many
communities throughout the world are actively engaged in developing
a local Challenger Learning Center. The Challenger Center can make
a difference and help students to pursue further study in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
It’s Official, Mars is now a Career Opportunity!
Support and a donation of $550,000 from Lockheed Martin has helped jump start the Challenge Learning Center project.
This Center will be accessible for schools and communities from Mercer County through Salem County and from Delaware through Eastern Pennsylvania. Challenger Learning Centers across the United States individually attract more than 10,000 students each year for missions to Mars, the Moon, rendezvous with a comet and exploring the Earth’s atmosphere. http://www.challenger.org/. Many additional children and adults will participate in activities each year through programs such as summer space camp and corporate team building missions. Utilizing space related content as the hook to capture the attention of students. They will then be exposed to the many additional programs that will bridge the gap between Science, Technology, and Humanities. Teaching teachers and students a variety of disciplines will create better prepared students to compete in the global economy.
Challenger Learning Centers offers related missions for space exploration with the intention to raise the expectations of science and mathematics skills of young people who will enter the future workforce. They provide students with opportunities to apply their learning to successfully problem solve and complete their mission. The mission teaches students to think critically and communicate effectively. This interdisciplinary approach aligns Center missions with the National Core Curriculum Standards. Programs consist of school class space missions (public, non-public, charter, and home school), family missions, corporate missions, group social missions, overnights, summer camp, youth groups, scout groups, state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Students are naturally curious about space and missions immerse students in the excitement of space travel and the adventure it represents. The goal is to attract students before, during, and after they encounter the missions. Students and teachers can return and participate in multiple missions and easily transition into the Science and Technology Education Center for additional experiences.
