The Science and Technology Education Center will:

Attract, retain, and inspire students by offering Space Science Education through the Challenger Learning Center Programs. Many children are curious about space and the excitement of space travel and look to the sky in wonder and imagination. The Challenger Learning Center is a first step that attracts students and offers related missions for space exploration with the intention to raise the expectations of science and mathematics skills of young people. It provides students with opportunities to apply their learning to successfully problem solve and complete their mission. The mission teaches students to think critically and communicate effectively. This interdisciplinary approach aligns Center missions with the National Core Curriculum Standards.

Programs at the Challenger Learning Center will consist of school class space missions (public, non-public, charter, and home school), family missions, corporate missions, group social missions, overnights, summer camp, youth groups, scout groups, state and local government agencies and non profit organizations. Students are naturally curious about space and missions immerse students in the excitement of space travel and the adventure it represents. The goal is to attract students before, during, and after they encounter the missions. Students and teachers can return and participate in multiple missions and easily transition into the Science and Technology Center for additional experiences.

In addition to the Challenger Learning Center experience, the Science and Technology Education Center will consist of hands-on, minds-on Action Labs for students to explore multiple areas in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The unique combination of hands-on and problem based learning experiences is the very key to attracting and retaining student interest by placing them in real-world critical thinking situations. As children, we played with toys in our back yard, a nearby sandlot, or a street and often relied on imagination and creativity to accomplish, any task we could dream. With our changing world and fast paced life style, children often miss experiences that provide an environment of excitement and stimulation. When is comes to school improvement and providing a setting for students to see themselves as engineers, scientists, or even an Astronaut, we intend to integrate content and other practices to bring creativity back.

Often times, students lose interest in school and feel like a specific career paths are not attainable, and become disengaged in the school system at an early age. Educational content is clearly not enough for students. Students require more in the way of experiential learning to become interested and stay engaged. The EIRC will go beyond the content to raise the expectation of students, teachers, administrators, and the entire community.