Programs

As part of the education and public outreach efforts in support of the MESSENGER spacecraft mission to Mercury, Challenger Center is assisting NASA in disseminating information about the mission to students and teachers across the nation.

The Mission to Mercury

MESSENGER (short for MErcury Surface Space ENvironment GEochemistry and Ranging) is an unmanned NASA spacecraft that will be launched in 2004. After making three passes by Mercury, the spacecraft will enter into orbit around the planet in 2011. MESSENGER's seven scientific instruments will provide the first images of the entire planet and collect detailed information on areas such as the composition and structure of Mercury's surface and interior, as well as its geologic history. It is only the second spacecraft to study Mercury, and the first since the 1970's, when Mariner 10 rendezvoused with the planet.

MESSENGER in the Classroom

Students and teachers throughout the world are invited to take a "window seat" aboard a spacecraft on course to orbit Mercury. So that classrooms everywhere can participate in this historic mission, Challenger Center is developing MESSENGER Education Modules, as well as managing a cadre of Educator Fellows.

MESSENGER Education Modules

The MESSENGER Education Modules consist of lessons directed at Pre-K to 12th grade. The lessons cover topics in comparative planetary science, Solar System studies through history, and the process of designing, constructing, and sending a spacecraft to another planet. Module development will continue throughout the 11-year program timeline for the MESSENGER mission.

MESSENGER Educator Fellows

These 30 Educator Fellows—master science teachers from across the United States—have been recruited through a national search. Each Fellow is trained on how to use the MESSENGER education materials; they in turn deliver workshops to teachers in their areas.

Over the 11-year program period, more than 27,000 teachers are expected to be trained. This can easily translate into classroom activities for more than 1,000,000 students across the country.

Fellowship Training Workshops

There are two training venues envisioned for the cadre of Fellows. A Fellowship Training Workshop is to be held every other year. The next workshop will be held in summer 2005.

The five-day workshop provides intensive training on the use of the education materials. Challenger Center also conducts some training at the annual National Science Teachers Association's Conference every other year, with the next workshop scheduled for spring 2006.

MESSENGER Educator Fellows are trained on all of the MESSENGER educational activities, explore appropriate presentation strategies, develop an implementation plan relevant to their community, and receive a complete teacher training presenter package to conduct MESSENGER workshops.

The MESSENGER Launch Celebration Package

Challenger Center seeks to engage students, teachers, and armchair Solar System travelers in the MESSENGER mission. The organization is releasing the MESSENGER Launch Celebration Package as an educational accompaniment to the mission. The package is a collection of fun activities and educational resources compiled by Challenger Center educators and scientists.

The materials are geared toward students in grades K-12, families, and teachers; and include activities that bring the wonders of the Solar System into both classrooms and living rooms. Filled with useful information on Mercury and the Solar System, the package also includes information on finding local science resources that can be utilized to discover more about the MESSENGER mission and other space science events occurring this year.

Visit the MESSENGER Launch Celebration Package web site.

Additional Information

Questions about the MESSENGER program can be directed to the program coordinator via e-mail at messenger@challenger.org; phone at (888) 683-9740, extension 379; or by completing the Feedback Form.