About Us

Sue Keene
EdVenture Lab Commander

The founding family members of Challenger Center refer to Challenger Learning Centers as living memorials to the 51-L crew. What does it mean to you when you hear that you are "continuing their mission?"

I had always admired the family members’ vision of continuing the 51-L mission, but I don't think I really understood the full impact until the recent opening of our Indianapolis Challenger Learning Center of Decatur Township. I had the opportunity to be Grace Corrigan's host during her visit, and really grew to truly understand how her daughter has changed education. Seeing our community attend the grand opening and realizing the pride they felt, made me feel honored to be a part of this wonderful mission!

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You've been involved with the Decatur Township EdVenture Lab since it opened to students in 2002. What did you, as a teacher, hope it would accomplish for your community's students? How has the EdVenture Lab compared with those initial expectations?

The EdVenture Lab has been open since December 2002. During the first six months, there were over 60 class visits equaling nearly 1,500 separate student experiences. This year, with teacher input, the Lab's curriculum opportunities have expanded to include two to three lessons for each grade level, kindergarten through fifth grade. As Lab Commander, I hoped to be able to help classroom teachers cover material not easily done in the classroom due to lack of materials or technology.

I have found the EdVenture Lab has become an important staff-development tool because not only does it offer standards-based lessons, but it also utilizes good instructional practices.

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What has been the most interesting lesson that you've been able to teach in the EdVenture Lab? How would the lesson have been different if you had taught it in a traditional classroom?

As a fourth grade classroom teacher for 28 years, I have always been technology oriented but never had the opportunity to use technology in such a collaborative environment as the EdVenture Lab offers. I've always felt technology use should not just be one computer per child or a "free time activity." In the EdVenture Lab, technology almost becomes "invisible" because it is so embedded in the lesson.

Students simply use technology as a tool to communicate their content understanding. I like to think all the lessons are interesting, but my second grade lesson on bats seems to be a true hit! The students have researched bats in their classroom and then use this knowledge in the EdVenture Lab in a variety of ways, including the PASCO motion detector to simulate echolocation.

My lessons are guided by PowerPoint visuals, which offer optional learning opportunities for the students. In the regular classroom, presenting with PowerPoint or other presentation software was not possible. I love the big screen televisions, document camera, and computers available in the Lab.

I'm now spoiled!

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You have the ability to see the same groups of students over the course of an academic year. How would you assess your students' abilities from their initial visit to subsequent ones?

Students who repeatedly visit the Lab get to know me and understand the procedures they must follow during their visit. These students become more secure in the Lab and are more willing to take risks and speculate.

When students visit the EdVenture Lab, I don't know if they have learning or behavior problems, so sometimes children who struggle in the regular classroom get a chance to shine here in the EdVenture Lab. This is always a wonderful surprise for the classroom teacher and for me.

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How has the technology available in the EdVenture Lab enabled you to do things that you couldn't do in an ordinary classroom? Has it changed the way you create lessons or teach?

The EdVenture Lab has changed the way I create lessons in that technology must be used appropriately as a interactive tool for at least part of the lesson. This does present a challenge in making sure each lesson is the best use of the time in the Lab.

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