Challenger Center congratulates the 2013 Award recipients:

• Claire Barnette, 6th Grade Science, Brookside School, Allendale, N.J.
• Jenni Esser, Middle School Science, Peyton Junior & Senior High School, Peyton, Colo.
• Julie Rohl, 6th Grade Science/Math, Rockford Christian School, Rockford, Ill.
• Erik Taylor, 3rd – 6th Grade Science, City Academy School, St. Louis, Miss.
• Dane Wear, 6th Grade Science, Eureka Middle School, Eureka, Ill.

“These award recipients are individuals who have chosen to dedicate their lives to educating our future leaders. Each day in the classroom, they use their passion for STEM subjects to make a positive impact on their students,” said Dr. Lance Bush, president and CEO, Challenger Center. “We are grateful for the commitment they have made to incorporate Challenger Learning Center lessons into their classrooms and strengthen students’ knowledge in STEM subject areas.”

Nominations were made by Directors from Challenger Learning Centers located across the U.S, Canada, U.K. and South Korea. Directors nominated these educators because of the strong relationship the educator has developed with the local Center and the impact the educator makes on his/her students.

The five recipients of the award will be honored by their local Challenger Learning Center and will receive a congratulatory letter from Challenger Center Founding Chair Dr. June Scobee Rodgers. Recognition also includes the presentation of a historical, limited edition Apollo 8 medallion produced by NASA. The medallions contain small amounts of pure aluminum carried into space by Apollo astronaut Frank Borman and were struck in honor of Apollo 8, the historic mission that culminated in man’s first orbit of the moon.

The medallions are special gifts from the late Mr. Turner N. Wiley, a supporter of Challenger Center and former Chief of NASA’s Communication Branch for Engineering at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. His gift is used to honor teachers who perform exemplary work in science education and to reward educators who are working in both classrooms and Challenger Learning Centers to cultivate the next generation of space science explorers.

About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Using space exploration as a theme and simulation as a vehicle, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and its international network of more than 45 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students’ expectations of success, foster long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspire students to pursue studies and careers in these areas. Challenger Center’s network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and South Korea reach more than 400,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs and engage more than 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops, and other programs. Founded in 1986, Challenger Center for Space Science Education was created to honor the seven astronauts of shuttle flight STS-51-L: Commander Dick Scobee, Gregory Jarvis, Christa McAuliffe, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, and Michael J. Smith.

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Challenger Center is currently accepting applications to create a community of educators around the country to test this pre-released curriculum with 8th and 9th graders and provide active feedback to in order to enhance the materials for full release.

Full details, including the application packet, online application, and the curriculum handbook are available for review here. All applications must be completed by May 3, 2013.

About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Using space exploration as a theme and simulation as a vehicle, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and its international network of more than 45 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students’ expectations of success, foster long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspire students to pursue studies and careers in these areas. Challenger Center’s network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea reach more than 400,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs and engage more than 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops, and other programs. Founded in 1986, Challenger Center for Space Science Education was created to honor the seven astronauts of shuttle flight STS-51-L: Commander Dick Scobee, Gregory Jarvis, Christa McAuliffe, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, and Michael J. Smith. To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education visit www.challenger.org.

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“We are so pleased that Sean and Kristen are now a part of our Challenger Center team. They will each play an integral role in the growth of the organization,” said Dr. Lance Bush, president and CEO, Challenger Center. “Challenger Center is well positioned to expand our impact as we continue to engage students in STEM education.”

As Director of Donor Relations, Maloney is responsible for designing and implementing strategies that will focus on building a strong internal foundation for the organization. He will play a key role in the funding and development of a national Challenger Center in Washington, DC. Maloney began his career working in rural communities where he started education and outreach programs, and then transitioned to a private university setting working to help provide support to college students. Most recently, Maloney was the development manager at the Equal Rights Center, a national civil rights organization dedicated to promoting equal opportunity for all people.

In her role as Challenger Learning Center Operations Manager, Jacobson serves as a primary point of contact and liaison with the Challenger Learning Centers. She is be responsible for ensuring all services from the national staff are coordinated and provided to the network of more than 45 centers.

Prior to joining Challenger Center, Jacobson served as the Office Manager/Administrative Specialist at the Upper Occoquan Service Authority, a state government agency where she served as the office manager to more than 20 employees, while designing and implementing many of the company’s policies and procedures.

Challenger Center recently relocated from Alexandria, VA to Washington, DC. Both Maloney and Jacobson will work out of the new Washington, DC national headquarters office.

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http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e71ywsfhhd4ny5oh/start

We estimate that it will take you about 10-15 mins to complete the survey. Your comments, answers and general feedback is appreciated, as it will help us shape this program into a mission that will be educational and exciting for students for many years. Thank you for helping us reach our mission to excite students about STEM.

Should you have any questions about your experience or about the survey please contact your local Challenger Learning Center.

Best regards,

The Challenger Center New Mission Team

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http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e71ziaw6hd4qqqs1/start

We estimate that it will take you about 10-15 mins to complete the survey. Your comments, answers and general feedback is appreciated, as it will help us shape this program into a mission that will be educational and exciting for students for many years. Thank you for helping us reach our mission to excite students about STEM.

Should you have any questions about your experience or about the survey please contact your local Challenger Learning Center.

Best regards,

The Challenger Center New Mission Team

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http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e71utd8vhd3pj5zh/start

Please answer the questions carefully and honestly. We appreciate your feedback.

Thank you again for your assistance.

Best regards,

The Challenger Center Team

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http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e6xcyrp8hc244mx7/start

Please answer the questions carefully and honestly. We appreciate your feedback.

Thank you again for your assistance.

Best regards,

The Challenger Center Team

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http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e71uwsnphd3qig8p/start

You are part of an elite group that is helping Challenger Center test a new mission and your answers and comments will be used to evaluate and improve the program. Please answer the questions carefully and honestly, your responses are very important.

Thank you for completing our pre-survey.

Best regards,

The Challenger Center Team

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http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e71uzlhthd3r8bzo/start

You are part of an elite group that is helping Challenger Center test a new mission and your answers and comments will be used to evaluate and improve the program. Please answer the questions carefully and honestly, your responses are very important.

Thank you for completing our pre-survey.

Best regards,

The Challenger Center Team

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CEI, a Colorado education and consulting company, in partnership with McGraw Hill and with the support of the Air Force Academy and 23 other space-related organizations has developed an online curriculum that will excite students about STEM. Aerospace Science: The Exploration of Space is a high quality, comprehensive, self-contained curriculum on aerospace science.

Challenger Center is looking to create a community of educators around the country that will test this pre-released curriculum with 8th and 9th graders and provide active feedback to in order to enhance the materials for full release.

An informational webinar will be held on April 18, 2013 at 8:00pm ET.
To register for the webinar please click here. We encourage anyone interested in the program to participate in the webinar.

Your Assignment (if selected)

• Participant in online professional development workshops between May – June 2013.
• Recruit and oversee a group of 15 to 30, 8th and/or 9th grade student reviewers.
• Complete the provided curriculum and review materials for approximately 32 lessons, using online text and materials with the student reviewers anytime between June and December 2013.
• Participate in an individual and group end-of-mission focus/feedback sessions between December 2013 and January 2014.

Benefits

• $1,000 stipend
• First rate professional development on aerospace science
• Access to state a state-of-the- art comprehensive online curriculum
• Being part of an elite team contributing to the betterment of STEM education.
• Prizes for students contributing quality feedback

To become an Aerospace Curriculum Consultant, start by downloading the application packet and then complete the online application.

After completing the online application, applicants must also email a resume and letter of commitment from his/her school principal or parent organization to education@challenger.org.

For more information about the curriculum, download the Aerospace Curriculum handbook here.

Deadline: Friday, May 3, 2013

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