Challenger Center and Northrop Grumman Continue STEM Education Collaboration

Over the past 35 years, Challenger Center has expanded our reach and deepened our impact thanks to continued support from like-minded donors and collaborators. Northrop Grumman, a company that designs, develops, builds, and supports some of the world’s most advanced products, from cutting-edge aircraft and next-generation spacecraft to unrivaled cyber security systems and all-seeing radars, has remained steadfast in their commitment to Challenger Center and STEM education.

Last year, our Virtual Mission, Destination Mars, was made possible with support from Northrop Grumman. And now with further support from Northrop Grumman, Challenger Center is optimizing and delivering the program to nearly 2,000 students in key communities throughout the United States.

“This grant from Northrop Grumman enables Challenger Center to improve and expand our collaborative education programs that ignite potential within students of all backgrounds,” said Challenger Center Vice President, Development, Partnerships, and Strategy, Valerie Fitton-Kane. “That helps us to transform today’s students into the leaders, explorers, and innovators of tomorrow. We’re extremely grateful for Northrop Grumman’s continued support of our programs and look forward to inspiring students together.”

Among the many shared commitments between Challenger Center and Northrop Grumman, the two organizations joined forces amid the COVID-19 pandemic to provide virtual learning programs to socially distanced and virtual classrooms. Destination Mars takes students on a realistic trip through space to explore Mars’ two moons, Deimos and Phobos. Because the mission can be delivered virtually, it expands Challenger Center’s reach into areas where students can’t travel to a Challenger Learning Center.

In their first year of availability, our two Virtual Missions – Destination Mars and Destination Moon were delivered to over 10,000 students in the United States. Northrop Grumman’s support will help us reach students in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, and North Dakota during the current school year.