Professional Development

A variety of teacher training opportunities are offered at Challenger Learning Centers throughout the year. Learning Center programs are designed to inspire confidence when teaching science and, occasionally, just to inspire.

Current Professional Development Includes:

• Rocket Camp
• Learn how to incorporate your own rocket camp program for your campus. Curriculum meets National and State educational standards
• Aeronautics and Space Based Astronomy
• Aeronautics – Ten different lessons and lesson plans including understanding the basic principals of flight, understanding air pressure, learning effects of weight and balance, and the use of a compass in aeronautics.

• Space Based Astronomy – Ten different lessons and lesson plans including understanding the effects of Earth’s atmosphere on electromagnetic radiation, the Electromagnetic Spectrum, collecting electromagnetic radiation, how astronomical satellites use technology to collect optical data.

• Lessons will be adapted and tailored to specific grade level objectives. Curriculum material will be supplied by NASA and related entities.

• The Basics of Astronomy
• Getting learners to identify constellations, stars, and planets in the night sky and how to navigate at night. This specific professional development course is designed to transfer these skills to learners within a one hour lesson cycle.

Astronomy Camp

Our beginner astronomy camps are designed for high school students and adults. Camps will be held at the in the spring and the summer of 2007.

Where:

The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley is excited about this new educational experience we are providing. We will be offering the services here at the center in San Benito, and, or for an additional cost, we can take our equipment you your location and provide the service right to your back door.

When:

The astronomy camp will become available beginning February of 2007. Activities will last approximately 4 to 4 1/2 hours long.

What:

The camp will focus on learning the constellations, learning about stars, planets, our galaxy, and how to navigate at night. More specific information on the camp schedule will be detailed here as the dates of the events approach.

Rocketry Camp

Rocket Camp is designed for students entering grades 7 through 12. Certified teachers will include lessons on the history of rockets, background, lessons, applications, and hands-on activities on testing student-made rockets.

Camp includes:

Lunch:

Students will bring their own lunch.

Times:

Sessions are Monday & Tuesday and Wednesday & Thursday for the entire month of June of 2007

The Micronaut Program

Description:

An exciting “space mission experience” for students ages 5 to 10. Through a series of age- appropriate, space- and science-related activities, students learn principles of science, math, engineering, etc., while having fun. The visiting students are divided by teachers in advance into one to three teams of up to 18 students each. Each group of 18 students rotates through a 40-minute Mini Discovery Mission and two 40-minute “Micronaut EVAs,” for a total of two hours of fun with "science in space." Up to 54 students total can participate in a Micronauts mission. See below for an explanation of how groups of students rotate through the activities.

Group size:

Minimum 12 students, maximum 66. For a group of up to 22, the entire group would rotate through each of the three events above, one event at a time. For a group of 23 to 44, the students would be divided into two teams, with each team rotating through the three events in a different sequence. For groups of 44 to 66, the students would be divided into three teams, with each team rotating through the three events in a different sequence. Each event would only be occupied by one group of up to 22 students at a time.

Simulated Missions

Description:

The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley offers realistic mock-ups of Mission Control and an orbiting space station. Students join teams at computer consoles or onboard the orbiting space lab, rev up their imaginations, and work together toward the mission's goal, whether it is the launching of a probe or the interception of a comet.

It's clear that a visit to a Challenger Learning Center isn't just a field trip—it is a deeply grounded learning experience that engages students, transforming them into scientists, engineers, or researchers, and placing them in a simulated space mission where they solve real-life challenges.

Experience the excitement of a The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley mission simulation while retaining gravity. Take a virtual tour of a Learning Center simulator, find out what team members comprise your flight crew, and learn about the intense preparation our astronauts and engineers complete prior to their mission.

Available Missions:

Comet Mission

Target Group:

5th grade reading level to 9th grade reading level.

Description:

The Rendezvous with a Comet space mission takes place in the not too distant future, where scientists are on the way to take an up-close look at a comet as it streaks across the sky. Constructing a probe and plotting an intercept course, students take the helm in a specially equipped space station, overcoming the challenges of space travel in their brave attempt to 'Rendezvous with a Comet.' It is not uncommon to hear an eruption of cheers when students successfully complete their mission objectives.

Voyage to Mars Mission

Target Group:

Advanced 8 th grades to 12 th grades

Description:

The Voyage to Mars space mission is set in the year 2076, when humans have established a permanent base on Mars. Crew members will serve as the first crew on Mars and the relief crew en route to the planet. While on the Martian surface, the team will have collected and analyzed a great number of planetary samples and data. This information is vital to scientists for a better understanding of the planet Mars. Crew members also will have gained an appreciation for the "luxuries" of planet Earth such as air, water and food as compared to a barren planet such as Mars. Upon departure from Mars, the crew will study one of the two Martian moons before beginning their return journey to earth, completing an exciting and highly successful mission.

Mission Preparations

Prior to flying a mission, students have already worked through a series of preparatory materials in their classroom. These activities go beyond science to encompass a variety of inter-disciplinary themes from oral and written communications to math and art. A student experience at The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley becomes much more meaningful because it is the highlight of weeks of classroom preparation and study and post-mission activities. Teachers bringing their students to fly a The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley mission participate in a 5-hour in-service training session at the The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley. This training should be accomplished at least six weeks prior to the mission. Teacher training is offered throughout the school year and in the summer.

Missions include:

The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley bases all of our services are based on time slots, not the number of participants.

For both missions The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley can accommodate a maximum of 36 participants.

The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley receives no direct funding from any organization and currently offers its services at a financial loss in order to keep it cost effective for groups to attend.

It’s always perfect launch weather when students venture beyond their schoolyards and enter a Challenger Learning Center. Within minutes, they are transported throughout the Solar System—perhaps to rendezvous with a comet, or maybe even voyage to Mars.
What Challenger Center has done with respect to educating America's youth is truly commendable. I salute you.

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)
Secretary of State

Rooted in state and national education standards, The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley reaches learners and educators from as Port Isabel to as far away as Laredo, TX through a broad array of mission-based activities and specialized science camps.

Regardless of a student's cultural background, economic situation, gender, learning style, or academic level, every The Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley simulation and science camps provides students with an opportunity to succeed. Every mission is successful! Students leave with a renewed spirit of camaraderie and boosted self-esteem.