The Challenger Learning Center of Alaska located in Kenai will be celebrating its 20 year anniversary this spring.
Challenger Learning and its global network of Challenger Learning Centers use space-themed simulated learning and role-playing strategies to help students bring their classroom studies to life and cultivate skills needed for future success, such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.
The Challenger Center aims to show the youth of the peninsula what is possible if they pursue a future in science, and even more by focusing on the overall growth that comes with STEM education. They work to enrich the lives of area youth solely through volunteerism and contributions.
Marnie Olcott, CEO of the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska: “The Challenger Learning Center has received zero public funds, in any form, for operations since 2005. Since then, we have relied on our earned revenue which we are able to get through our educational programs and our industry-based and student-based survival training programs. In addition, generous donations from our corporate donors, community partners, and individuals.”
She also points out that the nature of their existence requires help from the community: “We’re a struggling non-profit that doesn’t receive public funds. With the budget cuts to non-profits that do receive or have received public funds in the past, the pressure is actually on the community members and the local organizations and industry to fill that gap, which has an indirect impact on our ability to continue our mission of inspiring Alaska’s greatest resource: our students.”
Anyone interested in contributing or seeing what programs are being featured at the Challenger Center are invited to visit them online at AKChallenger.org.
