Discovery Classroom Programs
Extend your Challenger Learning Center experience with three exciting classroom options for you to explore - More on Mars, Living in Space and The Space Shuttle and the International Space Station.

Scout Programs
Both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts can participate in a wide range of activities including ones that will help them earn badges. Scouts will be abe to do hands-on activities such as making and launching paper airplanes and gliders, building a model rocket, discovering Earth's satellites (man made and natural), and learning how astronauts travel to space and keep their bodies safe when they do space walks.

Community and Corporate Groups
Community and Corporate groups are welcome to enjoy the Challenger Learning Center. The program includes a short mission training session, the two-hour Voyage to Mars mission, and post-visit activities. The program requires a group of 16-32 participants. Advanced reservations are required.

General Public
Public missions are available on a periodic basis. The program includes a short mission training session and the two-hour Voyage to Mars mission. View our calendar to see what date works best for you!
School Group Program
Train for your mission... then blast into space!

A visit to the Challenger Learning Center is unlike any other field trip-the experiential space program offers a substantive educational program that easily integrates into existing classroom curriculum.

The school group experience consists of three components:

1. Pre-Mission Planning
Prior to the class' scheduled visit to the Challenger Learning Center, teachers participate in an in-service training program that provides an overview of the mission simulation and identifies key skills and activities necessary for a successful mission. Teachers leave with a comprehensive curriculum aligned with Connecticut and Rhode Island state education standards which includes 4 - 6 weeks of lesson plans to prepare students for their mission, and another 1 - 2 weeks of post-mission activities.

2. The Challenger Learning Center Experience
As part of pre-mission planning, each student is assigned to one of eight different teams that comprise the crew. Upon arriving at the Challenger Learning Center, students learn what their critical mission for the day is going to be. The group is then divided in two, with half taking their stations in Mission Control and the other half "launching" into space. Halfway through the mission, the teams exchange roles so that students can experience both Mission Control and the Space Station.

3. Post-Visit Activities
Even after the mission's conclusion, the learning continues! Students may conduct further analysis and discussion on data gathered during the mission, as well as develop post-flight briefings and news conferences, all of which bring real world experiences into their classroom.