The Challenger Learning Center of Alaska, one of the leading resources for STEM education in the state, is getting a facelift for the first time since it opened in April, 2000. The extensive upgrades and remodeling will be revealed during the Center’s Beyond the Moon Banquet on September 23rd.
“At the banquet we’ll be opening the doors up for the first time to tours to the new simulation areas,” said Marnie Olcott, Challenger Center CEO. “Our mission simulation area, as well as the entire building, was able to get a much needed 23 year waiting uplift.”
In November of 2022, Governor Michael Dunleavy announced the Challenger Center would be receiving more than $1.8 million in grant funding for educational upgrades, and to develop a drone education training program. As a result of these funds the center is getting its first major upgrade in its 23 year history. Everything from the floors, lighting, furniture, and paint, to Challenger’s marquee feature, the mission simulation area, are being updated. The mission simulation area – split into a mission control area, and space station area is getting new computers, new equipment, an esthetic overhaul, and a spared-no-expense mock airlock for simulation participants entering the space station.
Since its grand opening in 2000, the Challenger Center has sought to establish itself as a benchmark for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in Alaska, specifically fixing its eye on inspiring the youth of Alaska to someday pursue STEM-oriented careers.
“The idea is to inspire our younger kids to know that even though they’re coming from small town Alaska, that there’s still some really big opportunities for them in the STEM world,” Olcott said, expanding on the goal which has already rooted itself in some home-grown, peninsula scientists. “We have several local folks living right here in the area on the peninsula that either are currently working in the space field or for NASA or have worked in the space field and for NASA.”
The Beyond the Moon Banquet, when the newly overhauled center will be officially unveiled, will come on the heels of the Challenger Center’s annual Geo-Challenge – the geo-cachers dream event.
“The concept of the amazing Geocache Challenge was kind of The Amazing Race meet geocaching,” Olcott said of the event. “We wanted to highlight what it is that we do here at Challenger while also involving the entire community. So, we came up with the idea of the Geocache challenge.”
According to Olcott, “classic Alaskan attire” is suggested for those attending the banquet, i.e., Xtra Tuffs, Carhartt, and plaid are welcome.
Registration and tickets are open for both events at www.akchallenger.org/geofundraiser or contact CLCA at 907-283-2000.