Challenger Learning Center remembers space shuttle tragedy on January 28

[January 27, 2015]  NORMAL - The Challenger Learning Center (CLC) at Heartland Community College will join its network of Challenger Centers for Space Education around the globe in honoring the crew of The Challenger Shuttle by observing the 29th anniversary of the Challenger accident on Wednesday, January 28. The CLC is located on Heartland’s campus, 1500 W. Raab Road in Normal.

Locally, the CLC will host two Mars missions at 9:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. for students from Roanoke-Benson. CLC staff plan to talk about the Challenger crew and educate students about the sacrifices of the astronauts.

“We want students to know why they have these amazing opportunities at the CLC,” said Flight Director Susan Evens. “They get to enjoy and learn in a fun and engaging environment because people gave their lives to discover and explore space.”

Dr. Jay Ansher of Illinois State University will also be onsite to give students a physics presentation. Ansher’s presentation illustrates several areas of physics including gravity, angular momentum, sound wavelength and frequency and static electricity. Students will have the opportunity to explore hands-on stations after Ansher’s lecture.

According to its news release, the national Challenger Center will accompany family members to NASA’s Day of Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday. The ceremony was created in the wake of the Columbia tragedy to honor those who gave their lives for space exploration and discovery and commemorates the astronauts who died in the Columbia, Challenger and Apollo I accidents. It also honors NASA pilots and employees who lost their lives in pursuit of exploration.

To learn more about the CLC at Heartland, visit challengerlearningcenter.com. More information about the national Challenger Center can be found at challenger.org.

Get updates about Heartland Community College at heartland.edu

[Becky Gropp, Heartland Community College]