The Challenger Learning Center at Montco Pottstown “flies” students on a variety of space-related missions designed for elementary and middle school students in grades 5-8. Aligned with national education standards and informed by real science data, our in-person simulations excite students about STEM, introduce students to careers in these fields, and help students build important 21st century skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.
The space-themed simulation-based experiences are led by trained Challenger Flight Directors and take place in a fully immersive Space Station and Mission Control. Surrounded by technology, each student plays a unique role in the mission as the team completes assignments, manipulates hands-on labs, and cope with simulated emergencies. Teamwork is crucial, if one member fails to complete a job, the entire mission can be put at risk. This differentiated approach allows for a truly personalized learning experience where students apply critical, scientific knowledge to real-world scenarios.
To learn more about in-person Challenger simulations, full-day STEM programs, or large group accommodations, please email the Center at challenger@mc3.edu.
Challenger Learning Center Chaperone Policy: Challenger Center in-person missions are facilitated by trained Flight Directors. Our team requires at least 2 teachers from the participating school remain present during the entire 2-hour mission. One teacher will remain in the Spacecraft simulator, while the second teacher will be in the Mission Control simulator. Therefore 2 teachers or one teacher plus adult chaperone is required.
Explore the Missions
Lunar Quest
The Mission: NASA recently launched a Rover to the Moon to explore new areas and collect
critical scientific data. However, the Rover lost power before any of the findings
were sent back to Earth. A faster and more reliable process to gather this type of
information is needed. The result is a new directive from NASA – human astronauts
will return to the Moon! A team of astronauts must board a Spacecraft and launch to
the Moon in search of a long-term habitat on the Moon. A team of scientists and engineers
are stationed in Mission Control on Earth to command and assist the astronauts on
their mission. Once the Spacecraft crew successfully lands on the Moon, they must
deploy a Lunar Exploration Rover to investigate different areas of the lunar surface
to identify a suitable location for a sustainable long-term human habitat. However,
when the crew receives troubling readings from below the Moon’s surface, the two teams
must work together and make critical decisions to turn a potential catastrophe into
NASA’s finest hour!
| Group size | Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 to 36 students | $390 per group |
Operation Comet
The Mission: A team of scientists and engineers are on a daring mission to take an
up-close look at a comet as it streaks across the galaxy. The goal is to plot a successful
course to Rendezvous with a Comet. First, the team must plot the correct intercept
course. Then they must construct and launch a space probe to gather data from the
comet. What seems to be a routine exploration at first, becomes filled with challenges
and emergencies. Each obstacle requires students to work together as a team to find
a solution in order to make the mission successful.
Earth Odyssey
Coming soon
The Mission: A recent coronal mass ejection has destroyed a vital space satellite
responsible for gathering key Earth science information. Working together, the team
at Mission Control and another aboard the Space Station, must build a new micro satellite
to replace the one lost. However, traveling into orbit during this time of increased
solar activity poses risks of its own.
Expedition Mars
Coming soon
The Mission: The year is 2076. A handful of facilities have been established on Mars:
a greenhouse, a mobile geological survey base, and a centralized research habitat.
The primary human habitat is not on Mars, but on one of its moons, Phobos. A large
shuttle regularly ferries astronauts and scientists between the base on Phobos and
the surface of Mars. This shuttle, or Spacecraft, carries parts to build a remotely
operated vehicle (ROV) to continue the search for evidence of life and water. However,
when crew members discover an imminent threat to their Spacecraft and the Martian
surface facilities, they must act quickly to save their stations, their research,
and their lives.
Virtual Missions
Designed for students in grades 5-8, the one-hour virtual missions are delivered in real-time and focus on the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
