Virtual Missions

Explore the universe from within your classroom.

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Grade Level 5-8

Earth and Space Science

Stay In My Classroom

Use space exploration to bring STEM to life in your classroom.

Virtual Missions are space-themed virtual experiences delivered to students in real-time by Challenger Learning Center Flight Directors using video conference technology—perfect for in-person, remote, and hybrid classrooms.

Students practice critical 21st century skills including teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving, while launching Earth-orbiting satellites, exploring the Moon’s surface, and establishing a presence on Mars.

Kick off your Earth and space science unit with our interactive simulations, where students experience real-world STEM careers, and are placed into teams to conduct research and collaborate to find solutions to urgent challenges.

While Virtual Missions primarily focuses on Earth and space science themes, it also integrates physical science topics.

Integrate pre-and post-mission activities where it fits best to expand students’ understanding of space science and technology.

Explore Our Virtual Missions

Observation Earth

Destination Mars

Destination Moon

“I always love to see how engaged our students are when they experience missions. They always come away feeling so confident and excited about their accomplishments.”

- Teacher from Illinois

Program Impacts

  • STEM Career Awareness: Increase student awareness of STEM careers

  • STEM Identity: Develop student sense of belonging in STEM

  • STEM Engagement: Develop student engagement in STEM

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

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

  • Approximate program time: 1 hour

  • Pre- and post-lesson activities available

  • Closed captioning available

  • Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned

  • Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned

  • Internet connection required

  • Device with audio/video capability required

  • No personal student data collected

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