Challenger Learning Centers Host Eclipse Viewing Events

 Community members are invited to participate in eclipse viewing parties, activities, and more  

WASHINGTON— August 3, 2017 –  As the country anticipates the solar eclipse on August 21, Challenger Learning Centers are planning a variety of special eclipse events for their community members. The Centers will offer a wide range of activities and programs, including engineering pinhole projectors, hearing from special guest astronauts and subject matter experts, and of course viewing the partial or total solar eclipse, depending on the location. Event details vary from Center to Center, but each one is sure to offer exciting educational experiences for the community.

Centers offering include:

• Starting on August 19, Challenger Learning Center – Louisville will assist the Girls Scouts on a campout weekend where they’ll facilitate a variety of space-themed activities culminating with a viewing of a solar eclipse. Space enthusiast in Louisville are encourage to travel to Logan County to view the total solar eclipse and listen to guest speakers and subject matter experts. The Center will distribute eclipse glasses and supplies at the Logan County Library.
• On the day of the eclipse, Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College will share information about why eclipses happen through hands-on activities, then community members and students will experience 93% of the eclipse.
• Challenger Learning Center of Lake Erie West invites the public to attend their 2017 Eclipse Community Fair on August 21. The fair includes a viewing party of a partial eclipse, a presentation from a local meteorologist, and hands-on activities.
• Challenger Learning Center at Paducah will host Night at Noon, an eclipse viewing party at West Kentucky Community and Technical College on August 21. Astronaut, Terry Wilcutt will emcee the viewing party. The Center will also have science demonstrations, games, and free viewing glasses for attendees.
• Each week in August leading up to the eclipse, Challenger Learning Center at the Powerhouse Science Center Discovery Campus will focus on eclipse education. The planetarium will have eclipse-theme shows and kids will craft eclipse-related science activities. Community members will be given a free postcard pinhole to safely view the eclipse.
• On August 21, Challenger Learning Center at the Scobee Education Center, San Antonio College will utilize portable solar telescopes with help of college and community volunteers to view the partial solar eclipse. Children can participate in hands-on activities related to the study of the sun and eclipse viewing safety.
• Join Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee for an eclipse viewing party, educational activities, and a planetarium show about the eclipse. The Center will also provide eclipse glasses to view the partial eclipse.

For additional details about an eclipse event, please contact that specific Center. For a full list of eclipse events around the country, visit www.eclipse2017.nasa.gov.

About Challenger Center
As a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, Challenger Center and its network of Challenger Learning Centers provide more than 250,000 students annually with experiential education programs to engage students in hands-on learning opportunities. These programs strengthen knowledge in STEM subjects and inspire students to pursue careers in these important fields. Challenger Center was created to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51-L. Learn more at challenger.org. Connect on Facebook @ChallengerCtr and Twitter @ChallengerCtr.