Challenger Learning Center Of Colorado

The Challenger Learning Center of Colorado (CLCC) is an indispensable resource for the community and the best Challenger Learning Center for educating and motivating students for success in the technical workforce.

CLCC uses integrated space-related thematic instruction to promote educational excellence and motivate students to pursue technical careers while enhancing workplace skills.

Description:
CLCC leverages the intrigue of space, the compelling “final frontier,” to capture imaginations, inspire vision, engage the intellect and motivate action.

Worldwide Impact: CLCC has a variety of unique first class facilities and capabilities:
• 3 space simulators: Mission Control, Space Transporter and Space Station
• Distance-delivered interactive streaming broadband live from Mission Control
• e-Planetarium traveling astronomy venue
• station-based hands-on learning centers.

An independent 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization, CLCC serves eight Rocky Mountain states and the world with exciting earth and space science mission simulations that meet the development, training, educational and enrichment needs of a wide range of clientele, including:
• K-12 public, private and home schools
• Multi-barrier, at-risk youth and adults
• Corporate/business groups
• Community and private groups

Participants—students and adults—“become” astronauts and mission specialists and “fly” mission adventures that bring paradigm-shifting, life-changing perspectives. And they have a blast!

History:
On January 28, 1986, the seven crew members of the space shuttle Challenger set out on a mission to broaden educational horizons and promote the advancement of scientific knowledge. In the aftermath of the Challenger accident, the crew’s family members resolved to create a living memorial to the Challenger crew: a space science education center where teachers and students could use state-of-the-art technology and space-life simulators to “explore space” as they apply mathematics, science and technology in a workplace of the future.

The result was the Challenger Learning Center concept, a national network of educational facilities containing highly interactive simulations of living and working environments in space. The Centers are focused on several critical long-term goals of national value and impact:
• Increasing student interest in and enthusiasm for the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies;
• Improving students’ knowledge and problem-solving skills in these fields; and
• Teaching students to work in teams, use communication skills, and think critically.

There are now more than 50 Challenger Learning Centers located in school districts, museums, science centers, and college campuses across North America and beyond.

With the same vision, mission and goals, the Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education (CCESSE) established the Challenger Learning Center of Colorado (CLCC). Opening its doors in 2002, the CLCC provides a first class space-based learning environment where schoolchildren, families, senior citizens, corporate teams and other community members “fly” simulated space missions. The CLCC features a Mission Control Center modeled after the one at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, a Transporter/Space Shuttle, and a Spacecraft/Space Station simulator where experiments are performed and probes are assembled and “launched” into the depths of outer space.

These simulated “out-of-this-world” experiences allow K-12 student, public, adult, and corporate “crews” to apply and learn additional skills in mathematics, science, technology, language, reading, communication, geography and team building.

Contact people:

Bill Eckert, Operations Manager, (phone), (email) Tracey Tomme, Program Manager, (phone), (email) Robbie Smarr, Marketing Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (719) 268-0912

Address:

10215 Lexington Drive, Suite 110 Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.clccs.org

Directions:

From I-25: • Take Exit #151 onto Briargate Parkway, and travel east 0.5 miles. • Turn left (north) onto Colorado 83 North and travel 0.5 miles. • Turn right at the light (east) onto Old Ranch Road and travel 1.3. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: ??, ?? minute walk

Last updated on December 17, 2008