January 28, 1986
11:38 a.m. ET – The Space Shuttle Challenger lifts off. Seventy-three (73) seconds into flight, at an altitude of 48,000 feet, the Challenger Space Shuttle explodes.
One of the crew members lost that day was Christa McAuliffe, age 36. Christa was chosen to be the first teacher in space and had planned to teach two, 15-minute lessons from the Space Shuttle.
April 1986
In the aftermath of the Challenger accident, the families of the Challenger crew come together, firmly committed to the belief that they must carry on the spirit of their loved ones.
Their goal is to spark youth interest and joy in science and engineering, believing that spark can change lives. With their collective efforts, they create Challenger Center for Space Science Education.
September 2000
The Brooks Aerospace Foundation, established for the sole purpose of bringing a Challenger Learning Center to San Antonio, raised over $1.2 million to renovate and equip the facility.
The Challenger Learning Center of San Antonio program is active, not passive. It is a hands-on and minds-on experience.
Once students pass through the portal of the CLC SA, they encounter an interactive computerized simulator with a Mission Control patterned after the NASA Johnson Space Center, and an orbiting Space Station.
As students participate in a CLC SA program, they use the study of science as a spring board to understanding essential life skills such as teamwork, communications, and decision-making.
October 2014
Military base closure shut the door on CLC-SA when Brooks AFB was closed. A partnership with San Antonio College has sparked new life into the program.
The Challenger Learning Center at the Scobee Education Center in San Antonio, Texas becomes the first next generation Challenger Learning Center, featuring a new design and state-of-the-art technology.
April 2019
This short news story announces the opening on the new facility. It also provides a brief look at the active, not passive, learning environment from the Challenger Learning Center – San Antonio. Students are provided a hands-on and minds-on experience.
COVID
As with everything else, COVID-19 has brought a temporary hold on these activities. When they are allowed to reopen, there will be some opportunities for the public to view this wonderful facility.
So keep it on your short list of interesting things that are unique to San Antonio.