(703) 683-9740
(703) 683-7546
Becky Manis
Lead Flight Director
Brad Files
NASA Scientist
Carol O’Leary
Center Director and Lead Flight Director
David Phillips
Director of Corporate Philanthropy
Deborah Reguera
Challenger Center Supporter
Janet Moore
Lead Flight Director
John Meredith
Proponent
Michael Cronin
Challenger Center Supporter
Rosemary Shaw
Teacher
Magi Whitaker
Proponent
Maki Kurisaki
Lead Flight Director
Tony Idarola
Flight Director
Wynne Clarke-Anderson
Assistant Director and Director of Education
Sue Keene
EdVenture Lab Commander
June Rodgers
Challenger Center Founding Chairman
Reed Steele
Lead Flight Director
Deborah J. Reguera
Challenger Center Supporter
How long have you been a donor to Challenger Center?
Approximately four or five years.
Why did you first decide to give to Challenger Center? What was it about the organization's mission that appealed to you?
June Scobee Rodgers and Joe Allen made a presentation on the Challenger Center. They discussed the mission of Challenger, the students that are targeted, and the success of the programs. What excited me the most was the successful strategy used by the Challenger Center to engage students in mathematics, science, and technology. The idea of providing students, especially girls, the opportunity to get excited about these three disciplines was too wonderful an opportunity to pass up.
The founding family members of Challenger Center refer to the organization as a living memorial to the 51-L crew. What does it mean to you when you hear that your assistance is helping to "continue their mission?"
What a great tribute the Challenger Center is to the mission of the 51-L crew. The network of Challenger Learning Center Communities are truly continuing the education mission by exciting students about learning through numerous programs and the simulated space mission. I am in awe of the family members. They were able to dream up and create this wonderful program, in memory of the astronauts so tragically lost, while dealing with their personal loss that had become a very public national loss as well.
Can you talk about a Challenger Center program that particularly excites you?
Every program I have seen—a simulated mission, Space Day Design Challenge, Family Science Night, EdVenture Lab, Journey through the Universe—have all excited me, as well as those participating.
What do you remember most about the Challenger mission and its crew?
The excitement they expressed towards being the education mission. It is so nice to see that mission continue through the network of Challenger Learning Centers.
What would you say to someone considering donating to Challenger Center?
By all means, DO IT! Challenger Center offers students more opportunity to become engaged in mathematics, science and technology than any other organization. The results of Challenger Center's programs are awesome. Students learn that mathematics, science, and technology are needed for some "really cool" jobs that they can engage in. I have never seen any other program where students are on-task, excited, learning, and enjoying their work for a full two hours. It's amazing!
