The Challenger
Learning Center
The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana’s mission is to inspire and
engage students in science, technology, engineering and the math (STEM) fields
using space exploration to draw all of its visitors in to the engaging world of STEM.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the center endeavors to create educational
and exciting experiences for all of its guests from preschool on up. Although the
center focuses on student field trips, it also offers opportunities to learn and explore
the universe through public events like its Second Saturday Family Days and Space
Adventure Summer camp sessions.
Second Saturday Family Days
Hosted on the second Saturday of each month, the center opens its doors to the
public for family-friendly activities that are educational and fun. Families can try out
a Mars “Mini” Mission in a Space Station simulator, where teamwork and problem
solving skills are put to the test as crews work to assist the Mars Curiosity Rover.
Hands-on Family Science Sessions are topical, educational and interesting sessions
in which groups work together through activities like sorting stars by color and
temperature, engineering rovers and airplanes or exploring planets and their unique
characteristics. Recently, the center added another great family activity to its lineup
by including Stories Under the Stars. Guests can sit back, relax and listen to tales told
by a professional storyteller under that stars of the planetarium – no mosquitoes here!
Family activities take place on a rotating basis throughout the year, but always end
with an exciting planetarium and laser presentation in the center’s Robert H. Rivers
Planetarium!
Space Adventure Camp
Don’t let the name fool you! It’s not just about space as these Space Adventure Camps
focus on various STEM topics and provide kiddos from ages 5–14 with opportunities
to explore robots, rockets, computers, veterinary science and more. Campers ages
11-14 can try out the Underwater Astronaut Training Camp in which they learn
about neutral buoyancy, density and more, then head to the swimming pool for
basic SCUBA instruction and a day of underwater challenges similar to the drills that
astronauts train with in Houston! This years Robotics camp is being hosted by JAK’s
Warehouse. Junior engineers will learn about robots, build their own take home
‘bot and spend the day testing their skills and robots in JAK’s 65,000 square foot
facility! This summer the center will offer an all new Art Explorers session focused on
innovative methods for creating art that represents the wonderful universe we live
in. Camp sessions vary in length and pricing, but are a great way to spend a summer
day (or two or three or four) learning about how astronauts, scientists, computer
programmers and engineers do their exciting and important jobs!
The center is a 501c(3) nonprofit and part of an International network of centers
dedicated to continuing the mission of the Challenger 51L Crew and first Teacher
in Space, Christa McAuliffe through innovative teaching and learning methods. For
more information about summer camps, family sessions, tours, school programs,
volunteering or making a donation, visit the center’s website at www.clcnwi.com or
call (219) 989-3250.
The Challenger Learning Center
2300 173rd Street
Hammond, IN 46323
clcnwi.com
219.989.3250
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