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I have devoted a good deal of attention these past couple of years to the subject of K-12 math and science education and much of what [Challenger Center is] doing is exactly what I concluded was needed [in the report "Rising Above The Gathering Storm"]. |
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Such a clear and compelling mission. Inspire people to dream and achieve. Explore beyond the known and familiar. Learn as we go and help others to learn with us. 
Challenger Learning Centers inspire 400,000 kids a year by taking them on simulated space missions. Imagine the thrill and excitement as students take on the roles of astronauts, scientists, and engineers and launch into space. They look down on the Earth from orbit, land on the moon, explore the surface of Mars, or fly through a comet’s tail.
Students’ science knowledge, problem-solving skills, teamwork, communications, and applied math all become real and meaningful. 
They develop essential life skills for their mission—and for the future.
Time and time again, the sparkle in their eyes confirm—Challenger Learning Centers fire the imagination in ways that last a lifetime.
We inspire the next generation of explorers.
Challenger Heroes
Challenger Learning Centers were inspired by the seven crew members who flew Challenger space shuttle mission 51-L. Their mission exemplified our noblest and most wondrous qualities—to explore, discover, and teach. Yet it tragically showed the perils at the frontier of knowledge. The Challenger Centers carry on their mission. We honor the courage and conviction of these heroic astronauts with every child we inspire.
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Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, Commander
Michael J. Smith, Pilot
Ron McNair, Mission Specialist
Ellison Onizuka, Mission Specialist
Judy Resnik, Mission Specialist
Gregory Jarvis, Payload Specialist
Christa McAuliffe, Teacher in Space participant
Our Mission
“We invigorate science, technology, engineering and math education with inquiry, exploration and discovery. In so doing, we change the lives of students, teachers and the public, and transform education policy and practice.”
In other words, we "inspire, explore and learn." After the Challenger accident, the nation looked to us to turn tragedy into triumph. Now our mission is just as important, if not more so. We must inspire students in science, technology, engineering and math. This is crucial for any pathway we might envision for a bright future for these students, our nation, and the world.
We enable them to experience the thrills, challenges, and rewards of discovery. We motivate them to become science-literate citizens and pursue careers in science and technology. We empower them to become tomorrow’s astronauts, discoverers, and innovators.
National Network
We carry out our mission through a national network of 48
Challenger Learning Centers throughout the US, Canada,
United Kingdom and South Korea. Each Challenger Center is locally operated to serve students in their communities. Our network of Challenger Centers is coordinated and managed by our national office in Alexandria, VA.
Challenger Centers reach 400,000 students and up to 15,000 teachers each year through a broad array of mission-based activities. They are housed in universities, museums, learning
centers, or standalone facilities and each features a mission 
control room, space station, and trained "flight directors."
