Programs
School Groups
|
Train for your mission... then blast into space! |
The school group experience consists of three components:
1. Pre-Mission Planning
Prior to the class' scheduled visit to the Challenger Learning Center,
teachers participate in an in-service training program that provides an
overview of the mission simulation and identifies key skills and activities
necessary for a successful mission.
Teachers leave with a comprehensive curriculum aligned with Missouri and Illinois state education standards which includes lesson plans to prepare students for their mission and post-mission activities for teachers to use with their students after they experience their simulated space mission.
2. The Challenger Learning Center Experience
Grades 5-8 (maximum
32 students):
As part of pre-mission planning, each student is assigned to one of eight
different teams that comprise the crew. The group is divided in two, with
half taking their stations in Mission Control and the other half "launching"
into space. Halfway through the mission, the teams exchange places so
that students can experience both Mission Control and the Space Station.
Kindergarten-4th grade (maximum 54 students):
The two-hour Micronauts program includes the Micronauts in Orbit mission and one or two (depending on the size of the group) Mini Discovery workshop(s). The Micronauts in Orbit takes place in the Challenger Learning Center's replica space station where students are engaged engages in an immersive “mini-mission” in which they will work as a team to navigate their spacecraft through space in order to locate Comet Encke. Each Micronaut is assigned a job with duties that are critical to the overall success of the entire team. The Micronauts in Orbit workshop will challenge the students to construct a paper rocket that launches using a high-pressure air launch system.
3. Post-Visit Activities
Even after the mission's conclusion, the learning continues! Students
may conduct further analysis and discussion on data gathered during the
mission, as well as develop post-flight briefings and news conferences,
all of which bring real world experiences into their classroom.
If you would like to preview or pre-order items from our gift shop, please visit the gift shop section under the Educator page.
Discovery Workshops (for students in grades 5-8)
Extend your Challenger Learning Center experience with either The Great Rocket Design Challenge or Field Trip to the Moon Discovery Workshop. Each program is two-hours in length and is intended to complement the simulated space mission to create a full-day experience for students. Below are the workshop descriptions:
The
Great Rocket Design Challenge
In this engaging, problem-based workshop, students work
in teams as “corporations” vying for a substantial contract to become
the rocket manufacturer for NASA. After a brief tutorial about rocket
parts and their functions, students will work cooperatively using math,
writing, design engineering, and interpersonal skills to design, construct,
and test paper rockets that will launch on a high-powered air launcher.
In addition to improving students’ understanding of rockets, this activity
is designed to reinforce key process skills including: planning/predicting,
communication, measuring, and inferring. This multi-disciplinary
workshop also focuses on such skills as data collection, record-keeping,
questioning, controlling variables, and making a model.
Field Trip to the Moon
The Field Trip to the Moon program uses an inquiry-based
learning approach that fosters team building and introduces young people
to careers in science and engineering as they prepare to establish a colony
on the moon. The program components include the Field Trip to the Moon
multimedia presentation and hands-on workshop investigations. The hands-on
activities are designed to motivate young people to use their cooperative
learning skills to design a self-sufficient lunar station. While completing
their tasks in teams that represent different division within our current
space program, students will develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving
techniques, and an understanding of complex systems as they discuss solutions
to the essential questions they are presented. At the end of the
workshop, teams bring their plans and designs together and present their
complete lunar station to the group.
Distance Learning Programs
Educators looking for ways to further enhance their Challenger Learning Center experience or are too far to attend programs at our facility can now experience one of two Video Conference programs. These programs are geared towards students in grades 1-8 and range from 20-35 minutes.
Scout Programs
Both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts can participate in a wide range of activities including ones that will help them earn badges. Scouts will be abe to do hands-on activities such as making and launching paper airplanes and gliders, building a model rocket, discovering Earth's satellites (man made and natural), and learning how astronauts travel to space and keep their bodies safe when they do space walks.
Download 2009/10 Girl Scout public workshop dates
Summer Camps
Experience an out-of-this-world summer camp experience at one or more of the Challenger Learning Center's Summer Space Adventures! Dates, cost and other details for the 2009 season will be available in late fall.
Community Groups
|
Community groups are welcome to participate in programs at the Challenger Learning Center. The program includes a short mission training session, a the two-hour mission simulation, and post-visit activities. The program requires a group of 16-30 participants. Advanced reservations are required. |
Corporate Groups
The Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis offers a unique corporate program designed to promote teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills. By participating in a hands-on, innovative, simulated space mission, employees and employers will face the same challenges and problems encountered by astronauts in space.
Program Overview
Option 1: Simulated space mission only
- Number of participants: 14-30
- Program length: 3 hours
- Cost: $750
Spend three hours in state-of-the-art space simulation environments and complete the Voyage to Mars™, Return to the Moon™ or Rendezvous with a Comet™ mission. All missions include a briefing session and a facilitated discussion of how to apply what's been learned to the working environment.
Option 2: Simulated space mission and additional team-building activities
- Number of participants: 14-30
- Program length: 4 hours
- Cost: $950
Spend three hours participating in one of the simulated space missions listed in Option 1, plus participate in additional team-building and communication activities. Meals/light refreshments can be provided at an additional cost.
Option 3: Full-day program
- Number of participants: 14-30
- Program length: 6 hours
- Cost: $1500
Experience a full day at the Challenger Learning Center. Participate in one of the simulated space missions listed in Option 1, plus additional hands-on activities such as rocket building that will enhance communication and teamwork skills. Meals can be provided at an additional cost.
General Public
|
Public missions are available on a periodic basis. The program includes a short mission training session and a two-hour simulated space mission. View our calendar to see what date works best for you! |
Program Overview
- Brief training session
- 2-hour mission
- Cost: $15/person
- Recommended for ages 11 and up
When available, dates for Public Missions are posted on our Calendar.
(NOTE: public missions are subject to cancellation if there are fewer than 14 people signed up. Participants will be notified of any cancellation.)
Birthday Parties
Have a cosmic birthday celebration at the Challenger Learning Center!
This
two-hour program includes a mini-mission, a private room, cake, invitations
and other far-out festivities. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
Call (314) 521-6205 or click here for more information .
|
Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis |