Challenger Center Celebrates 10 years of Inspiring a New Generation of Space Explorers

On February 9, Richland One’s Challenger Learning Center for Space Science Education celebrates 10 years of inspiring a new generation of explorers. The festivities, which start at 10:00 a.m., will include appearances by several special guests: Grace Corrigan, the mother of Christa McAuliffe, who was the first teacher to fly in space; family members of the late astronaut and Lake City native Dr. Ron McNair; and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Spann Watson, an original Tuskegee Airman. McAuliffe, a New Hampshire social studies teacher, and McNair were killed in the Challenger space shuttle explosion in 1986. Challenger Learning Centers were established as memorials to the seven-member shuttle crew. Richland One is home to South Carolina’s only Challenger Learning Center.

Representatives from NASA as well as community leaders and students will be attending the 10-year celebration. After the official program, Richland One students will have the opportunity to meet and talk with these living legends and their family members.

Challenger Center History
The Richland One Challenger Learning Center, which was established as a living memorial to the heroes of the 51 L Crew, opened its doors on February 11, 1996. Since then, the Challenger Center has grown to include an aerospace education laboratory, the Tuskegee Airmen exhibit, classroom facility, wireless computer lab, articles flown in space, exclusive space photos, autographed paraphernalia, a 20 foot art sculpture of the space shuttle, and several attractions that are featured throughout the year. The Center has also increased its services by offering hands-on activities, starlab presentations, computer lab classes, and teacher training. In 2004-2005 approximately 7,700 students experienced the excitement and educational opportunities offered by the Challenger Center.

For more information, please contact the Richland One Office of Communications at 231-7510 or 231-7504.