Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis
Helps Students and Adults Reach for the Stars 

Students and other space enthusiasts are reaping out-of-this-world experiences in North St. Louis County through The Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis.  The Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis is a not-for-profit educational partnership of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, the St. Louis Science Center and the Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis.

Founded in 1986 by families of the astronauts tragically lost during the Challenger space shuttle mission, the Center features state-of-the-art space simulators, which include an orbiting space station, and a Mission Control center modeled after NASA's Johnson Space Center. The St. Louis location is part of a growing network of more than 45 Challenger Learning Centers located throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Since the center opened in November 2003 on the McCluer South-Berkeley High School Campus in Ferguson, more than 9,000 visitors from throughout the St. Louis region have engaged in simulated NASA space missions and programs. Although students in grades five through eight make up the majority of the visitors who participate in the programs, the center offers programs and missions for the general public, Scout groups and businesses.

To prepare teachers and students for their upcoming simulated space mission, the center provides complete curriculum and teacher training. Groups can choose from two scenarios: A “Voyage to Mars” or a “Rendezvous with a Comet.” Through hands-on activities such as building a simulated space probe, keeping the spacecraft safe, and encountering unknown objects in the Solar System, student astronauts and engineers learn how to problem solve, communicate and work as a team to accomplish their mission.

Schools and other groups interested in programs or missions at the Center can call 521-6205. The activities target students in grades five through eight. Information about the Center and upcoming public missions can be found at www.clcstlouis.org. Advance reservations are required. The cost for a two-hour public space mission is $12. Summer camps also are offered.

For more information on The Challenger Learning Center- St. Louis click here.