UTC Challenger Centers

The Challenger Center is a living testimony to the dream of the Challenger Crew. When the crew of the Challenger Space Shuttle perished in 1986, they were on a pioneering mission to extend the boundaries of human knowledge. The Challenger Learning Centers are continuing that mission today by preparing students for life.

20 YEARS OF INSPIRING, EXPLORING, LEARNING!

"What's important is that children can accomplish the mission with their very own hands and that science, math and technology can be fun."

-Dr. June Scobee Rodgers Challenger Center Founding Chair

Our Mission

Challenger Centers are non-profit, informal science education centers whose beginnings came as a direct result of the Challenger space shuttle tragedy that occurred in January of 1986. The surviving family members wanted to create a living memorial in honor of the Challenger crew. Their ideas spawned centers of informal science education that would be used to excite young people to study science, math and technology in their exploration of learning.

This Challenger Learning Center was built on the campus of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. We are formally aligned under the College of Education and as such have formed strong relationships with both the University's Teacher Preparation Academy and our local school systems, the largest of which is the Hamilton County Department of Education.

Although relatively young in terms of years of operation (this center opened in 1994), our student-based mission simulation programs are at maturity. Approximately ten thousand students visit our center each year. Students visit from Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina. While here, students participate in simulated space missions that reinforce and introduce students to real-world applications of science principles and concepts discussed in their classrooms. In addition, we hold numerous teacher professional development workshops that strengthen math, science and technology concepts for teachers from those same states.

Full Missions

A Full Mission is a 2 hour simulation that includes Mission Control, being launched into space, and conducting research in the Space Lab.

Maximum 34 participants; 5th grade reading level required.

Mission preparation materials included.

Mission Price: $500.00

Rendezvous With A Comet: It is the year 2061. An earth-orbiting space station moves towards Halley's Comet which last passed through our solar system in 1986 and will not return for another 76 years. The crew has two hours to rendezvous with the comet and launch a scientific probe into its tail.

Return To The Moon: Return to the Moon mission answers the call of the new 2020 Space Initiative for human exploration. It has been over 36 years since Apollo 17 astronauts landed on the moon. In this mission, our crew establishes a permanent lunar base that will serve as a staging area for further Solar System exploration. As the crew moves toward our closest neighbor, they will capture a stranded probe, repair and rebuild the probe and launch it to the Moon. A complete team effort is required for the ultimate challenge a safe and successful lunar landing.

Voyage To Mars: Our voyage begins in the year 2076 with a relief crew in route to the Red Planet. The mission: to relieve the existing Mars Crew that has manned Mars Control for the past 2 years and launch a probe to one of the Martian moons.

Mission Forms

Mission Inquiry Formf

Keys to a Successful Mission

Comet Manifest (Adobe PDF file)

Moon Manifest (Adobe PDF file)

Mars Manifest (Adobe PDF file)

How to Match Student Abilities

Questions? Contact us at (423) 425-4126

Summer Camps

Cosmic Space Quest 2010

Skip over navigation

Home

About Us

News

Programming:

• Full Missions

• Mini Missions

• EVA's

• Micronauts K-4

• In-Services

• Workshops

• Summer Camp

Contact Us

Directions

Parking

Keys

Risk Assessment

FAQ

Registration Packets for Summer 2010 will be available on February 1, 2010.

Click on one of the links below for our Registration Packet:

Registration Packet 2009 in Word

Registration Packet 2009 in PDF

Updated 12/16/09

Half Day Camp - Mini Quest

4 and 5 year old campers

9:00am - 12:00pm

$35 per camper

Snack: Goldfish and choice of juice or water

2010 Camp Dates:

June 14, June 18, July 9, July 12, or July 28

1 Day Camp - Future Astronaut Training

Campers in 1st - 3rd grade (rising)

9:00am - 4:00pm

$60 per camper (lunch included)

Lunch:

Pizza (Choice of Pepperoni or Cheese)

Choice of Juice, Water, or Soda

Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010 Camp Dates:

June 2, June 15, July 8, July 13, or July 27

2 Day Exploring Satellites

Campers in 4th - 5th grade (rising)

9:00am - 4:00pm

$100 per camper (lunch included)

Lunch:

Day One:

Pizza (Choice of Pepperoni or Cheese)

Choice of Juice, Water, or Soda

Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Day Two:

Choice of Hamburger or Grilled Cheese Sandwich

(All dressings and condiments on the side)

Potato Chips

Choice of Juice, Water, or Soda

Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookie

2010 Camp Dates:

June 3 & 4, June 16 & 17, June 28 & 29, July 6 & 7, or

July 14 & 15

4 Day Camp - Aviation: Watch Me Soar!

Campers in 5th - 8th grade (rising)

9:00am - 4:00pm

$250 per camper (lunch and t-shirt included)

Lunch:

Day One and Day Four:

Pizza (Choice of Pepperoni or Cheese)

Choice of Juice, Water, or Soda

Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Day Two:

Choice of Hamburger or Grilled Cheese Sandwich

(All dressings and condiments on the side)

Potato Chips

Choice of Juice, Water, or Soda

Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookie

Day Three:

Choice of Turkey, Ham, Cheese, or Veggie Sandwich

(All dressings and condiments on the side)

Potato Chips

Choice of Juice, Water, or Soda

Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookie

2010 Camp Dates:

June 7-10, June 21-24, or July 20-23

Upcoming Events