Challenger Learning Center
Southeastern Connecticut
Challenger
Learning Center Missions and Activities
In addition to satisfying Connecticut Standards in Science, Mathematics, Language Arts and Social Studies, the Challenger Learning Center experience provides all of the following for your students:
• Provide students with an opportunity to apply their learning to:
◦ Problem Solving – Recognizing and investigating problems; formulating and proposing solutions supported by reason and evidence
◦ Communication – Expressing and interpreting information and ideas
◦ Using Technology – Using appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers, and networks to access information, process ideas, and communicate results
◦ Teamwork – Learning and contributing productively as individuals and as members of groups
◦ Making Connections – Recognizing and applying connections of important information and ideas within and among learning areas
• Help teachers become better educators by prompting them to use teaching strategies consistent with the National Science Education Standards, thereby moving teacher-centered instruction to student-centered instruction
• Provide professional development opportunities for teachers to give them the confidence and competence to facilitate science and mathematics learning for today’s technology-driven world
• Furnish teaching resources that are interactive and interdisciplinary as well as offer programs that are scientifically accurate, fun, and inspiring
• Present opportunities for the development of community-based learning that includes teachers, students, and parents
• Raise public awareness of the importance of and need for a scientifically literate populace
Other Curricular Opportunities
Curriculum Challenge from NASA
From March 2007 to March 2008, the scientific community will be recognizing the International Polar Year. Scientists from around the world will examine the Arctic and Antarctic regions of Earth. NASA's Exploring Space Challenges invites K-12 teachers to design a challenge in conjunction with this event. Judges will select the best Challenges in grade-level categories K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. One overall winning Challenge will be used by NASA ESC for the next school year.
Registration is open until Dec. 30, 2007. For more information, visit: http://esc.nasa.gov/html_files/TeacherChallenge.html
Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide
This NASA educator guide for grades 5-12 focuses on the technology behind spacesuits. Briefly discussed are the space environment, the history of spacewalking, NASA's current spacesuits and the work that astronauts do during spacewalks. This guide includes classroom activities, a glossary and a list of other NASA resources.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Suited_for_Spacewalking_Educator_Guide.html
Space Food and Nutrition Educator Guide
Space food research meets the challenge of providing food that tastes good and travels well in space. The activities in this NASA educator guide for grades K-8 emphasize hands-on and cooperative involvement of students as they explore the unique problems of keeping astronauts happy and healthy in space.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Space_Food_and_Nutrition_Educator_Guide.html
In addition to satisfying Connecticut Standards in Science, Mathematics, Language Arts and Social Studies, the Challenger Learning Center experience provides all of the following for your students:
• Provide students with an opportunity to apply their learning to:
◦ Problem Solving – Recognizing and investigating problems; formulating and proposing solutions supported by reason and evidence
◦ Communication – Expressing and interpreting information and ideas
◦ Using Technology – Using appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers, and networks to access information, process ideas, and communicate results
◦ Teamwork – Learning and contributing productively as individuals and as members of groups
◦ Making Connections – Recognizing and applying connections of important information and ideas within and among learning areas
• Help teachers become better educators by prompting them to use teaching strategies consistent with the National Science Education Standards, thereby moving teacher-centered instruction to student-centered instruction
• Provide professional development opportunities for teachers to give them the confidence and competence to facilitate science and mathematics learning for today’s technology-driven world
• Furnish teaching resources that are interactive and interdisciplinary as well as offer programs that are scientifically accurate, fun, and inspiring
• Present opportunities for the development of community-based learning that includes teachers, students, and parents
• Raise public awareness of the importance of and need for a scientifically literate populace
Other Curricular Opportunities
Curriculum Challenge from NASA
From March 2007 to March 2008, the scientific community will be recognizing the International Polar Year. Scientists from around the world will examine the Arctic and Antarctic regions of Earth. NASA's Exploring Space Challenges invites K-12 teachers to design a challenge in conjunction with this event. Judges will select the best Challenges in grade-level categories K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. One overall winning Challenge will be used by NASA ESC for the next school year.
Registration is open until Dec. 30, 2007. For more information, visit: http://esc.nasa.gov/html_files/TeacherChallenge.html
Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide
This NASA educator guide for grades 5-12 focuses on the technology behind spacesuits. Briefly discussed are the space environment, the history of spacewalking, NASA's current spacesuits and the work that astronauts do during spacewalks. This guide includes classroom activities, a glossary and a list of other NASA resources.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Suited_for_Spacewalking_Educator_Guide.html
Space Food and Nutrition Educator Guide
Space food research meets the challenge of providing food that tastes good and travels well in space. The activities in this NASA educator guide for grades K-8 emphasize hands-on and cooperative involvement of students as they explore the unique problems of keeping astronauts happy and healthy in space.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Space_Food_and_Nutrition_Educator_Guide.html