Forty years ago, on a cold January morning, millions of us watched as the Space Shuttle Challenger launched. I was a freshman in college then—young, curious, and convinced that space exploration represented the very best of what we could do when we worked together toward something bigger than ourselves.
Like so many, I remember where I was when Challenger was lost and when we learned that all seven crew members—Francis “Dick” Scobee, Michael Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe—were gone. Their deaths were heartbreaking and deeply personal for a nation that had come to see astronauts not as distant heroes, but as teachers, scientists, engineers, parents, and dreamers.
The following summer, I joined the Johnson Space Center in Houston as an intern. I was surrounded by experts who were driven harder than ever to go back to space, to honor the Challenger crew not only in memory, but in purpose.
That same drive gave rise to Challenger Center.
Founded by the families of the Challenger 51-L crew in 1986, Challenger Center was built on a simple but powerful idea: the best way to honor the crew was to spark curiosity and courage in young people. Forty years later, that mission continues to guide everything we do.
Since 1986, the world has undergone a remarkable transformation. Thanks to so many innovators, advancements in STEM education and space exploration have surpassed our wildest expectations. While we’ve made significant progress, the work is far from complete. The future of our STEM workforce and our capacity for discovery depend on today’s students.
At Challenger Center, we see the spark of potential in every student. Through immersive, hands-on simulations, we bring STEM subjects to life by putting students in the driver’s seat of a mission to space. Our programs are a playground for the mind, where young explorers experience what real science is all about: experimentation, teamwork, problem-solving, and persisting through obstacles. Over the past 40 years, we’ve served more than 6.5 million students—many of whom now help shape today’s STEM workforce.
This year marks not only the 40th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, but also the 40th anniversary of Challenger Center itself. As we commemorate this milestone, we’re both looking back and launching forward.
Throughout 2026, Challenger Center will honor the crew and our shared legacy through a yearlong series of national initiatives designed to engage students, educators, partners, and communities across the country.
We are launching the Challenger-7 Recognition, a national honor celebrating organizations whose work reflects the spirit, vision, and values of the Challenger crew. These are the organizations that, like the crew themselves, believe in curiosity, courage, service, and the power of education to change lives.
We are also creating a Digital Time Capsule, a nationwide lesson inviting students to imagine what space exploration will look like 40 years from now. Students will submit artwork, writing, and ideas that reflect their hopes for the future. These student-created works will be preserved as part of a national collection, with highlights shared publicly in April 2026. It is a reminder that today’s students are actively shaping our shared future.
To help students connect more deeply with the individuals behind the Challenger mission, we have developed new lesson plans spotlighting each of the seven astronauts. These lessons explore the crew’s passions through hands-on activities, allowing students to see themselves in the stories of those scientists, engineers, teachers, and heroes.
And all 30+ Challenger Learning Centers across the country will unite for two major national mission events. On April 24, 2026, students nationwide will participate in an All Mission Flight Day, working simultaneously in simulated missions that emphasize teamwork and problem-solving. One week later, on May 1, 2026—International Space Day—we will host a coast-to-coast “Follow the Sun” Mission. Centers will hand off a mission directly to one another, from Maine to Hawaii, celebrating collaboration and the power of education as the mission moves across time zones and communities.
These moments are not just commemorations. They are commitments.
As we look to the next 40 years, Challenger Center is dedicated to leading the charge. We’re uniting partners, thought leaders, and organizations with shared visions to meet the urgent needs of today’s students and prepare them for a rapidly evolving STEM workforce. The journey continues, and our collective efforts have never been more vital.
The Challenger crew believed deeply in the power of education to open doors, expand horizons, and bring people together. Forty years later, that belief remains our North Star.
Our next 40 years of discovery start today—and we need you on board. Let’s launch the next era, together.
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