2016 1 a Message from the Leadership
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CHALLENGER CENTER - 2016 1 A MESSAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP Dear Friends, This year marked the 30th anniversary of the loss of the Challenger and its incredible crew: Commander Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Teacher-in-Space Payload Specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka and Ronald E. McNair, and Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis. These individuals weren’t just astronauts, they were passionate, enthusiastic, determined human beings willing to risk their lives for the greater good. Their particular mission was different. Aptly known as the Teacher in Space program, the mission was designed to inspire students, honor teachers, and spur interest in math, science, and space exploration. With teacher Christa McAuliffe on board, the crew had planned for lessons, activities, and live downlinks with students. After the mission, Christa would return to her classroom and share the experience with kids around the world. But when the mission ended tragically, the families worked together to find a way to keep it alive. They created Challenger Center to remind the world not how their loved ones were lost, but what they were passionate about and how they lived their lives. We are confident that this organization and the work we do would make them proud. The crew would love the enthusiasm of our Flight Directors, the sheer energy and excitement from the children who visit our Centers, and the dedication that each one of you – our supporters – demonstrate year after year. These individuals were inspiring the future 30 years ago, and we’re so pleased, thanks to all of you, that their mission continues to live on today. Throughout 2016, we honored the crew with memorials, tributes, and special events and celebrated the many accomplishments of the organization. People like Willard and Nancy Lines, who have supported us since 1987, make it possible for us to open new Challenger Learning Centers, develop new programs like Expedition Mars, and inspire 03 Our 30 Year History students like Sean Robinson and Toni York to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. In these 30 years, we have given 4.5 million students the chance to explore endless possibilities through our innovative, hands-on STEM programs. We have taken kids to the Moon and Mars, challenged them to intercept Comets, and given Inspired Alumni them the opportunity to study the earth from the International Space Station. But with the increasing need for a STEM 07 literate society and STEM qualified workers, we know our work is just beginning. Today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators and leaders. Every day our programs work to ignite the potential within each student, opening their eyes to Education Programs new skills and ideas that can lead to success in their careers and lives. Together, we will continue to carry on the memory 09 and mission of the original Challenger crew and help spark a passion for learning that will last a lifetime. 11 Superstar Supporters THANK YOU! Thank you for 30 years of support, encouragement, and shared passion. Here’s to the next 30. Challenger Learning Centers 13 Here’s to the next 30 years of sparking a passion for learning! 15 Financial Performance 17 2016 Donors 21 Leadership & Staff CHALLENGER CENTER - 2016 CHALLENGER CENTER - 2016 1 June Scobee Rodgers, Ph.D. Kent Rominger Lance Bush, Ph.D. 2 Founding Chair Chairman, Board of Directors President and CEO The crew of the STS-51L included: Top (L to R): Mission Specialist Ellison S. In 1988, what was planned to be the THE Onizuka, Teacher-in-Space Payload Specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe, one and only Challenger Learning Payload Specialist Gregory B. arvis, Mission Specialist udith A. Center, complete with a Mission BEGINNING Resnik Bottom (L to R) Pilot Michael J. Smith, Commander Francis R. Control and Space Station, opened. “Dick” Scobee, and Mission Specialist Ronald E. McNair. The family wanted to spark student interest and oy in science and engineering. With their collective effort, they created Challenger Center just three months after the tragedy. In 1984, President Reagan announced that a school teacher would be selected to become the first private citizen to fly on a space-shuttle mission. Following the tragedy, the families of the crew come together, committed to carry on the spirit of their loved ones. Christa McAuliffe (right), a high school teacher from NH, was chosen to become the first teacher in space. Barbara Morgan (left) was selected as her backup. The support for Challenger Center was extraordinary and new communities around the world worked to open Challenger Learning Centers of their own. CHALLENGER CENTER - 2016 CHALLENGER CENTER - 2016 Vice President at the time of the accident, On January 28, 1986, ust President Bush was the first to support the 3 73 seconds into its flight, group in their efforts. Above, President Bush 4 Challenger broke apart. pictured with une Scobee Rodgers. Tragically, all seven crew members were lost. Twelve years after the Challenger accident, HISTORICAL Barbara Morgan was selected by NASA as an In the fall of 2016, the initial astronaut candidate (Mission Specialist) and cohort of Challenger Learning reported to the ohnson Space Center in August Family members of the Centers was trained on the MOMENTS AND 1998 to begin training to become a full-time Challenger crew traveled to newest simulated mission astronaut. In 2007, Morgan flew on STS-118. MILESTONES Kennedy Space Center in Florida experience – Expedition Mars. to remember the crew on anuary 28, 2016, the 30th In April 1995, the Challenger families anniversary of the tragedy. presented President and Mrs. Bush with the Challenger Center Presidential Award to recognize the impact that their leadership had in fulfilling the dream of the family members. The Award later became the President George H. W. Bush Award and is presented to distinguished individuals who demonstrate compassion, encouragement and commitment to Challenger Center. Founding Chair une Scobee Rodgers received the 2015 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award in recognition of creative and innovative use of technology in education. In its 30th year, Challenger Center piloted its first classroom based STEM program, Aquatic Investigators. The experience In 1999, the first of three transports students to a virtual underwater international Challenger research station and submarine where they Learning Centers opened at the are immersed in ocean science to identify Ontario Science Centre in In August 2016, Christa McAuliffe’s sister, Lisa issues impacting our oceans and understand Toronto, Canada. Bristol (center) joined by her family (left) attended why Hawaiian monk seals are at risk. In 2014, the organization unveiled a newly designed Challenger Center’s annual meeting hosted at the CHALLENGER CENTER - 2016 CHALLENGER CENTER - 2016 Challenger Learning Center at San Antonio College, McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University where Christa earned her degree. Also pictured, 5 representing the first new design since the organizations 6 creation. The Center is part of the Scobee Education Christa McAuliffe Center representatives and Center, named in honor of Shuttle Commander Dick Challenger Center President and CEO Lance Bush. Scobee and his widow une Scobee Rodgers. INSPIRED ALUMNI Challenger Center exposes students to real-world scenarios and experiences that open their eyes to new possibilities and careers in STEM fields. At Challenger Learning Centers, students of all backgrounds have the chance to build confidence, develop TONI YORK GENERAL ENGINEER, AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY 21st century skills, and demonstrate teamwork. These tools lead to success in their INFORMATION DIRECTORATE careers and lives and are displayed in our alumni every day. Sean Robinson and Toni York are just two of many Challenger Learning Center students who say their Center EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in Math, Physics, and Music from Drew experience played a critical role in their decision to pursue a STEM career. University, Master of Science in Math from Montclair State University, Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor in Science in Comp Sci from Oregon State University (in progress) SEAN ROBINSON When did you visit a Challenger Learning Center? 6th grade MANUFACTURING ENGINEER, AEROJET ROCKETDYNE I remember the huge build up to our visit. What do you remember most from your experience? There was an entire unit about preparing to visit the Challenger Learning Center. I remember the excitement of it, and EDUCATION: understanding that this trip was going to be something really cool and special. Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Master of Science How did your Challenger Center experience play a part in your decision to pursue a in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois STEM career? I grew up in a family of computer scientists and unashamed nerds, and the Challenger Center trip Urbana-Champaign (in progress) certainly didn’t hurt the strong interest I already had for everything STEM-related. This was probably the start of being interested in space and space travel. Having been raised on Star Trek, the idea of space travel was a normal part of my life, something I actually didn’t think about much. But Challenger Center made it real, and it became something that I could imagine myself doing. When did you visit a Challenger Learning Center? 8th grade Why is STEM education so critical at a young age? I think middle school is the perfect age, when What do you remember most from your experience? Our mission was to rendezvous with an the students are both old enough that they can really understand the scientific concepts and yet also young enough asteroid, and the whole class was split into several different crew functions based on interests and strengths.