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Week: September 03, 2010

Downey Dedicates Space Flight Simulator

The Columbia Memorial Space Center, 12400 Columbia Way, is named in honor of the crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia, who died upon re-entry to earth's atmosphere Feb. 1, 2003. But Monday afternoon city officials dedicated part of that facility -- the Challenger Learning Center Space Flight Simulator -- to the memory of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger, which exploded on takeoff Jan. 28, 1986. Both shuttles and others were designed and manufactured on the former 160-acre NASA site in the 1960s and 70s. The flight simulator was purchased several years ago for about $800,000 from the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, a nationwide, nonprofit group composed of friends and family of the Challenger crew who want to "continue the mission" of space flight.

Pico Rivera officials attend dedication of space flight simulator

Officials from Pico Rivera were among the dignitaries in attendance Monday when officials here dedicated the Challenger Learning Center Space Flight Simulator -- part of the Columbia Memorial Space Center -- to the memory of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger, which exploded on takeoff Jan. 28, 1986.

New Assignment and up coming Field Trip

The county has required Field Trip to the Challenger Center. It is a great Field Trip taking the students to Kirby Smith and MOSH for the Day. The Challenger Center at Kirby Smith is a simulation program. The simulations are being a member of Control Team for the Shuttle and then the simulation of the shuttle. The other half of the day will be spent at MOSH for a Special Science program designed with the Science Curriculum Dept. It is a wonderful day.

Challenger Learning to host K-3 program

BANGOR - The Challenger Learning Center of Maine is offering a new five-day weekly program for kindergarten through third-grade students at its space science facility in Bangor. The center said its AfterCare program provides students with individual attention in an enriching environment where they will enjoy activities, have time for homework and play games. Rates are $60 weekly per child for the service.

NASA Astronaut Pamela Melroy Keynote Speaker at Challenger Dinner Celebration

Now that the Dresser-Rand Challenger Learning Center has been open for a year, the center is holding its opening celebration dinner on Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Premier Banquet Center in Olean, N.Y. This event kicks off the fundraising season for the upcoming year and will update attendees on the newest happenings at the center. Special keynote speaker will be Col. Pamela Melroy, USAF (Ret.), who is a former NASA astronaut and has flown three space shuttle missions. She was the commander of the STS-120 mission in 2007, and currently serves as Deputy Program Manager, Space Exploration Initiatives for Lockheed Martin in Texas.

Heights teacher speaks at National Challenger Convention

Laura Hartsock, a science teacher at Pattonville Heights Middle School, was invited to speak at the recent National Challenger Convention in St. Louis about the impact the Challenger Learning Center program has on students. Hartsock was invited to speak because she earned a National Teacher of the Year Award from the Challenger Center for Space Education in 2005. The center is a non-profit
organization created by the families of the astronauts who were lost during the last flight of the Challenger space shuttle. The honor allows Challenger Center's international network of Challenger Learning Centers to recognize teachers who exemplify the spirit of the Challenger crew's education mission and who share a commitment to learning about science, mathematics and technology.

The Most Influential Writing Contest in Science Fiction History

The event was very similar to last year's, conducted to a polished level of Hollywood professionalism (and hyperbole) unmatched by any other science fiction awards ceremony -- as noted by Mike Resnick, one of the newest contest judges, in his turn as an award presenter. The ceremony was somewhat tighter than last year's, with the choreographed photo ops for each winner shortened, and with only a single featured speaker. This year it was June Scobee Rodgers, widow of space shuttle Challenger pilot Dick Scobee, who has subsequently made a career of promoting the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, which provides simulators for various kinds of space missions to students. Her speech, though obviously rehearsed and refined in many deliveries, was nevertheless heartfelt, and moving.

Founding HCC president departs after 20 years

Listening to the community and developing partnerships there, most notably the college's role in helping keep the Challenger Learning Center space lab in the Twin Cities, and work with Normal to build the baseball stadium.

Bangor learning center to begin care program

The Challenger Learning Center of Maine will begin offering an after-school five-day-a-week care program for schoolchildren in kindergarten through grade three at its space science facility starting Sept. 1st, 2010. The center is at 30 Venture Way off Maine Avenue between Hammond and Union streets. Children will have time for homework, to play games and participate in activities. Rates are $60 weekly per child.

Educators Invited to Aug. 31 BLAST Off! Event at the Challenger

The Big Bend & Leon Association for Science Teaching (BLAST) invites educators to attend its fall membership event and learn new science skills and ideas. Come BLAST Off at the Challenger Learning Center on Tuesday, August 31st from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Educators will be able to wander through over 15 booths of community resources, chat with science enthusiasts , attend an evening under the stars in the planetarium, and enjoy complimentary TCBY yogurt, popcorn and snacks along with collegial conversation. Space simulator tours, flight director activity demos, archaeology lesson plans, insects, recycling, magnets, wildlife and much more will be offered.

The Dresser-Rand Challenger Learning Center invites you to a celebratory dinner

The Dresser-Rand Challenger Learning Center invites you to a celebratory dinner on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at Premier Banquet Center in Olean, N.Y.Please join us for food, drinks, and news about
the CLC!Colonel Pamela Melroy, USAF (Ret.), astronaut and native of Rochester, will be the keynote speaker.

Aviation museum: boondoogle, inspiration or both?

Mescon, who is now president of Columbus State University, said his university's experience running the Challenger Learning Center at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center in Columbus showed the county would probably need full-time fundraisers to develop exciting and high-quality education programs. "We are constantly raising support for it and looking for federal grants to support it," he said. Bob Dubiel, spokesman for the Museum of Aviation at Warner Robins, agreed. "Our education program is the largest thing we do and the most expensive thing we do," he said. "You can't do it with pictures on the wall and old airplanes. You have to engage them in education programs and make it fun for them to learn about aviation.