The center, located next to Kaiser Elementary School on Leo Street in Old North Dayton, includes a “moon room” with astronaut equipment and a foam floor to simulate walking on the moon. The launch hallway, where students fasten their seatbelts and perform a mock space launch complete with flashing lights, sounds and fog. And inside the space shuttle, each student is assigned an assigned task, such as communicating to mission control, testing rock samples, or figuring out the equations that help land the spacecraft.
“What we have here at Dayton Public Schools is really special,” said Avril Gedman, senior flight specialist at the Challenger Learning Center. “We want to give every child in this city the opportunity to join us in our mission.”
Building on its tradition of excellence, the Challenger Center recently announced new programs that are sure to spark students' curiosity and spark a passion for space exploration.
“Expedition to Mars” is the newest mission offered at Challenger Center. Students participating in this immersive experience will participate in a simulated landing on Mars and embark on a quest to find water, explore the planet, and search for signs of life. Students stationed in the control room of Phobos, one of Mars' moons, are working to ensure the mission's success. This hands-on adventure not only challenges students to apply science and math skills, but also encourages critical thinking and teamwork.
The center also features a newly decorated hallway that also serves as an interactive timeline of the history of space exploration. This remarkable exhibit chronicles humanity's journey into space and also allows visitors to scan his QR code to get more information along the way.
All Dayton Public Schools students have the opportunity to experience the Challenger Learning Center through field trips and school visits. Challenger Center employees can bring portable planetariums, STEM labs, and other engaging hands-on activities directly into their classrooms.
As the Challenger Center prepares for summer, students will have even more opportunities to experience space through summer camps and STEM labs. These summer programs are open to all children in the Dayton area.
For more information about the Dayton Public Schools Challenger Learning Center, summer programs, and how to get involved, visit DaytonPublic.com. To contact the center directly, email amgedman@daytonpublic.com or call 937-542-6143.
