Scobee Educa on Center Media Highlights Executive Summary
San Antonio College celebrated the opening of the Scobee Education Center on Friday, October 31. The state-of- the-art 22,000 square foot facility combines the Scobee Planetarium with a first-of-its-kind, next generation Challenger Learning Center.
The grand opening featured a speaking program, ribbon cutting ceremony and an open house. Local media had the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes tour of the center on Wednesday prior to the grand opening. The grand opening was also celebrated with a public open house on Saturday, November 1. The open house featured walking tours, planetarium shows and an evening star party, all free and open to the public. Print/Online Print/Online Print/Online Print/Online Print/Online Print/Online
www.theranger.org/news Scobee Grand Opening Nov. 4, 2014
Dr. June Scobee Rodgers signs copies of “Star Challengers: Space Station Crisis” for choir students from McAuliffe, McNair and Scobee middle Megan Stanley and Rebekah Corley, a former Palo Alto College student schools after the VIP grand opening Friday of Scobee Education Center. Scobee Rodgers contributed to the book written by Rebecca Moesta and take a “selfie” with a display astronaut suit Oct. 31 in the lobby of the Kevin J. Anderson. E. David Guel Scobee Education Center. Ian Coleman Scobee Education Center opens to crowds, memorials Local dignitaries and city leaders turn out to see the new facility.
By Landon Penn [email protected] Facilities like the Scobee Education Center will serve to As this college’s brass feed the interests of students ensemble performed the in space, science and aero- national anthem Friday in the nautics, Hawes said. Scobee Education Center’s “We need that future work- memorial garden, Scobee force. It’s not the tools, it’s the Elementary School students people using them, that put us placed seven wreaths out- in space,” Hawes said. side the center’s entrance to As a former teacher, honor Challenger crew mem- Rodgers said she was glad to bers who died when the space see so many resources dedi- shuttle exploded Jan. 28, 1986. cated to further educating stu- “We can draw strength dents at this college where she from their courage,” U.S. Rep. and Scobee actually met. Lamar Smith said in his open- “Because I was an educa- ing remarks at the grand open- tor, I think he’d be pleased that ing of the center after two years the Scobee Education Center of planning and development. honors both of us, both former The center is named for San Antonio College students,” Lt. Col. Francis “Dick” Scobee, Rodgers said. the Challenger’s commander Former astronaut Eileen and a former student of this Collins said she was glad to college. It is home to the see so many people taking an Challenger Learning Center, interest in space exploration. the Scobee Planetarium and “STEM (Science, Tech- Fifth grader Sofia Lynton, 10, illuminates the teeth of classmate Shaelyn Marks, 10, using a temperature reader gun with her hand in a glove box a main gallery, soon to be nology, Engineering and Math) in the space station during the VIP grand opening of Scobee Education Center Friday. Students from Scobee Elementary were selected for a field named after a donor. is about creativity. This country trip to the center. E. David Guel Scobee’s widow, Dr. June needs smart people to accept Scobee Rodgers, attended new challenges,” Collins said. The shuttle burned up the ceremony, along with son In 1995, Collins became over Texas, killing seven crew Richard Scobee and daughter the first female to pilot a members. Southwest Research Kathie Scobee Fulgam. spacecraft. Institute donated those arti- “Dick Scobee would truly be Dr. Robert Vela, president facts, along with an interstel- over the moon about the oppor- of this college, said, “We had lar boundary explorer (IBEX), tunities Challenger Center a lot of national figures tak- space experiments with par- offers to students, and proud ing part in this grand open- ticle accelerators (SEPAC) that it continues ing, and we’re instrument and space elec- the mission for View proud to have tronics engineering units, said his Challenger the slideshow them partici- Rick Varner, director of the crew,” Rodgers on the pate.” Scobee Education Center. said. “He was multimedia page. The cer- The long-awaited reno- a modest man, emony ended vation of the planetarium, always passing with Vela, which gained theater seating, tribute on to others.” Scobee Rodgers and Charles showed “Secret Lives of Stars,” Marc Harrison, VIA board member, watches teachers, parents and students of Scobee Elementary experience The ill-fated mission Cheever Jr. joining hands to “Ultimate Universe,” “Violent the Transporter 2 mission simulator Oct.31 in the Challenger Center during the grand opening of the Scobee included Dr. W. Michael Hawes, cut the ceremonial ribbon, Universe” and “Attack of the Education Center. The simulator features authentic take-off footage and vibrating seats for a realistic space vice president and Orion pro- allowing about 200 guests to Space Pirates.” launch. Milena Arias gram manager at Lockheed explore the facilities. The Challenger Learning Martin, who served in Mission In the main gallery, visi- Center consists of Mission mission in the Challenger pleased to know that the Scobee 21: “Secret of the Cardboard Control as payload officer in tors enjoyed a Mark III photo Control, where students on Learning Center. Education Center will help Rocket” at 6 p.m. for ages 4 charge of deploying satellites. suit, a replication of a Russian field trips can work in teams as “I think it’s just wonderful,” make a difference,” she said. and older, “The Sky Tonight” Hawes said the mission space suit. Guests can open “astronauts” in the space sta- said Martha Castro, admin- Andrew Hubbard, for- at 7:30 p.m. and “Black Holes” was “made up of a fantastic the backpack of the suit and tion. The students first enter istrative assistant to David mer president of the Student at 9 p.m., both for ages 6 and crew,” which also included step inside for a photo. a debriefing to understand Mrizek, vice president of col- Government Association, said older. Ellison Onizuka, Gregory The gallery also includes their mission and then are lege services. “It will benefit Rodgers “brought the human Admission for each show is Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Michael parts of the Shuttle Columbia’s transported through a flight our children for years to come. element to the building.” $2 with an Alamo Colleges ID, J. Smith and Ronald McNair. exterior, such as the foam simulator before they start the It’s just an exciting time.” “(She) reminded us of the $4 for seniors, $5 for adults 18 Unique to this mission was insulator that struck the wing, mission. Rodgers said her late hus- importance of perseverance and older and $4 for children Christa McAuliffe, a school- causing it to ignite as it re- On Nov. 4, students from band would appreciate that and pushing forward,” he said. ages 4 to 17. teacher scheduled to transmit entered the atmosphere Feb. Ed White Middle School will legacy. The planetarium will have For more information, call lessons from space. 1, 2003. be the first to go on a space “Most of all, he would be three shows Nov. 7, 14 and the center at 210-486-0100. Print/Online Television Television Television Television Television Radio Social Media Social Media Social Media Links
Revamped Planetarium to Reopen Friday at SAC – San Antonio Express-News http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/Its-makeover-complete-new-SAC-planetarium-to-5856374.php Digital Dish – San Antonio Express-News http://www.expressnews.com/lifestyle/article/Digital-Dish-5845873.php Scobee Education Center Opens (Slideshow) – MySA.com http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/alamo-heights/slideshow/Scobee-Education-Center-opens-96954.php Redesigned Challenger Learning Center Opens – Southside Reporter (MySA.com) http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/southside/article/Redesigned-Challenger-Learning-Center-opens-5867523.php SAC Launches New Educational Era – Alamo Heights Weekly (MySA.com) http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/alamo-heights/article/SAC-launches-new-educational-era-5868848.php Scobee Planetarium Opening – Bexar Witness http://bexarwitness.com/photos-scobee-planetarium-opening/#.VGTgE7yD6QY San Antonio College’s Scobee Education Center is Ready for Take-Off – San Antonio Business Journal http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2014/10/29/san-antonio-college-s-scobee-education-center-is.html Training for Space Travel via Office Keyboards – The Rivard Report http://www.therivardreport.com/scobee-learning-center/ Scobee Education Center, Challenger Learning Center to Open Friday – KSAT http://www.ksat.com/content/pns/ksat/news/2014/10/29/scobee-education-center--challenger-learning-center-to-open-frid.html The Scobee Education Center Opens its Doors –San Antonio College Ranger http://www.theranger.org/2014/10/27/the-scobee-education-center-opens-its-doors/ Scobee Education Center Mosaic Windows Combine Art, Science – The Ranger http://www.theranger.org/2014/10/27/scobee-education-centers-mosaic-windows-combine-art-science/ Scobee Education Center Opens to Crowds, Memorials – San Antonio College Ranger http://www.theranger.org/2014/11/04/scobee-education-center-opens-to-crowds-memorials/ Good Morning San Antonio Weekend – KSAT Clip Happening Today – WOAI Clip Scobee Education Center Reopens – Time Warner Cable News http://sanantonio.twcnews.com/content/news/305851/scobee-education-center-reopens/ Live Broadcast From Scobee Education Center – Telemundo Clip David Mrizek and the Scobee Education Center – InTV Part One - http://vimeo.com/109487167 ... Part Two - http://vimeo.com/110251773 Space, That Final Frontier, Has Set Down in San Antonio – Texas Public Radio http://tpr.org/post/space-final-frontier-has-set-down-san-antonio New Challenger Center at the Scobee Planetarium Opening Today – 1200 News Radio WOAI http://www.woai.com/articles/woai-local-news-sponsored-by-five-119078/new-challenger-center-at-the-scobee-12921136/