Our Impact

Igniting a passion for STEM in the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Our Impact

Looking to the Future While Honoring Our Legacy

The Space Shuttle Challenger crew was dedicated to a mission inspired by education. In 1986, the families of the crew established Challenger Center to honor their loved ones while keeping their educational mission alive. Since then, our STEM programs have inspired and engaged more than 6 million students.

38

Years Championing STEM Education

6

Million+ Students Inspired

35

Challenger Learning Centers

Engage. Ignite. Empower.

We want all students, irrespective of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status, to stay engaged with STEM throughout their education and life and to feel empowered to pursue STEM careers.

Each year, we provide hundreds of thousands of students with STEM education experiences. Our programs target several student outcomes to achieve lifelong impacts:

  • STEM Career Awareness: Increase student awareness of STEM careers

  • STEM Identity: Develop students’ sense of belonging in STEM

  • STEM Engagement: Develop student engagement in STEM

  • STEM Self-Efficacy: Develop students’ feeling that they can “do STEM”

  • 21st Century and Social-Emotional Learning Skills: Develop student communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities

Our Alumni

When students develop a sense of belonging in STEM, it opens their world to making STEM careers a reality. These students become our workforce.

Chris Dobbins

Flight Director, NASA Johnson Space Center

Challenger Learning Center of Woodstock

My experience at Challenger Learning Center of Woodstock was life-changing. It cemented my dream to work in NASA’s Mission Control and be a part of making human space exploration happen.

My experience at Challenger Learning Center of Woodstock was life-changing. It cemented my dream to work in NASA’s Mission Control and be a part of making human space exploration happen.

My experience at Challenger Learning Center of Woodstock was life-changing. It cemented my dream to work in NASA’s Mission Control and be a part of making human space exploration happen.

... read more

Meet Chris

Ethan Holand

Robotics Engineering Graduate Intern, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab

Challenger Learning Center in New York

The [Challenger Learning] Center’s programs and initial exposure to engineering and robotics set me on the path of exploration and shaped my passion for STEM.

The [Challenger Learning] Center’s programs and initial exposure to engineering and robotics set me on the path of exploration and shaped my passion for STEM.

The [Challenger Learning] Center’s programs and initial exposure to engineering and robotics set me on the path of exploration and shaped my passion for STEM.

... read more

Meet Ethan

France Jackson

User Experience Researcher, Intel Corporation

Challenger Learning Center of Richland County School District One

Participating in camp at my Challenger Learning Center played a major role in my decision to become an engineer. I'm not sure I'd be an engineer if it were not for these hands-on experiences.

Participating in camp at my Challenger Learning Center played a major role in my decision to become an engineer. I'm not sure I'd be an engineer if it were not for these hands-on experiences.

Participating in camp at my Challenger Learning Center played a major role in my decision to become an engineer. I'm not sure I'd be an engineer if it were not for these hands-on experiences.

... read more

Meet France

Recognizing the Impact of Our Community

The dedication and support from our Challenger Learning Centers and educators enables us to spark a passion for STEM in students across the globe. We recognize their extraordinary efforts.