In an effort to encourage students to focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematic study programs, NASA and the Challenger Learning Center for Space Science Education, recently announced the signing of the Cooperative Space Act Agreement. This agreement will enhance the student experiences currently occurring with the local GO-Science Challenger Learning Center (CLC) outreach programs and summer camp in eastern North Carolina.
“NASA has always offered tremendous resources for students and teachers” says Nancy Bray, GO-Science Planetarium Outreach Director “This special connection, created between NASA and the challenger learning centers, will bring enhanced educational opportunities to our region. When it comes to science and technology education NASA has an incredible wealth of knowledge to enhance student learning.”
Through hands-on interactive educational activities, NASA and the Challenger Learning Center will engage students, teachers, families, and the general public to help increase overall science and technology literacy.
Tammy Lee, GO-Science Summer Science Camp Director notes, “The new affiliation between NASA and the CLC will enhance our middle school camp program ‘Moon, Mars and Beyond’ opening more doors for the participants to explore space. In addition, it will enable us to expand our space, technology and robotics programs.”
This agreement with NASA will benefit the ongoing mission of the Challenger Center as well as allow the Center to work with “America’s Space Program.”
The Challenger Center for Space Science Education was founded in 1986. Today, the network of 50 Challenger Learning Centers across the U.S. trains more than 25,000 teachers annually to incorporate project based learning and use the theme of space exploration to engage students in critical thinking, decision-making, communication and teamwork.
In the fall of 2007 The Eastern North Carolina Regional Science Center (DBA Go-Science) announced the development of a Challenger Learning Center in Greenville, North Carolina. Currently Go-Science offers exciting astronomy and space science outreach programs to schools, churches, corporations and other organizations as well as a summer science camp that fills over 300 slots for children of all ages to experience the wonder of science.
