Challenger Learning Center

Fifth- through eighth-grade students are transported to an immersive STEM environment, completing a simulated space mission and hands-on experiments that encourage critical thinking and teamwork. Learn more about our mission here.

Schedule Your Mission

Click the button to the right to schedule your mission.

Schedule Your Mission

Welcome to the Challenger Learning Center!

Please note that we are exclusively open to schools, organizations, and homeschool groups for full-day STEM experiences. Thank you for understanding that we do not offer tours to the general public. Our focus is on providing immersive educational programs for students in grades 5-8 and summer programs for grades K-8. We look forward to inspiring young minds through hands-on STEM experiences at the Challenger Learning Center.

Plan Your In-Person Mission

Experience the Mission

There are two standard mission scenarios: Lunar Quest (Grades 5–6) and Expedition Mars (Grades 7–8).

Students step into the role of a real astronaut and mission specialist. Our staff will help you arrange your students into two groups:

Spacecraft

  • Blast off to space and conduct experiments, monitor systems, and build a probe.

Mission Control

  • Guide your crew through launch and research operations aboard the spacecraft.

Every student switches roles halfway through to experience both sides of the mission.

Tackle the STEM Challenge

In the Discovery Lab, student teams act as NASA researchers, carrying out hands-on experiments to prepare for future missions. There are two standard STEM challenges: Lunar Science Academy (Grades 5–6) and Mars Science Academy (Grades 7–8).

These challenges foster critical thinking, data analysis, and teamwork—all through the lens of real-world STEM exploration.

Pricing

Our center offers experiences to fit your school's needs and timelines. Scholarships are available to public schools and their students participating in simulated space missions and programs. Scholarships are based on the percentage of students on free and reduced lunch programs and your school's geographic distance from the Challenger Learning Center. Discounts for non-eligible schools are available in January and September.

Number of Students Full-Day STEM Challenge & Training Mission
2-hour mission at our center and 2-hour hands-on STEM Challenge		 Half-Day Training Mission & Virtual Mission
2-hour mission at our center and 1-hour virtual mission at school before or after your mission
16–30 $595 $595
31–60 $1,190 $1,190
60+ Please contact our center for pricing.

Plan Your Live, Remote Mission

Satellite Missions

Put your STEM skills to the test in this live, Satellite Mission, where your students will step into the boots of a NASA astronaut and work together to complete mission tasks in an allotted time. Join from any device to connect with our Mission Commander live at Challenger Learning Center and use teamwork, critical thinking, and STEM to achieve mission success! There are two standard mission scenarios: Destination Moon and Destination Mars.

Your students will gain STEM confidence as they move through the learner-friendly materials and interact with CLC STEM educators to:

  • Discuss, analyze, and share their results, exactly like the experts at NASA.
  • Complete simulated training like NASA astronauts.

Pricing

Number of Students Full-Day STEM Challenge & Training Mission
1-hour live Zoom and access to student cloud-based software
16–30 $99
31–60 $198
60+ Please contact our center for pricing.

Sponsor a STEM Experience

You can provide a K-12 student or an entire class a dynamic Challenger Learning Center STEM experience with a donation through the Heartland Community College Foundation. 

Your gift of $600 sponsors a simulated space mission and hands-on STEM experiments for an entire classroom. A $20 gift supports that same full-day experience for an individual student.

Sponsor a STEM Experience

Kids and Teens@Heartland STEM

Sign up for our summer camps by clicking the button to the right.

Summer Camps

Contact Us

Important Information

View important policies by clicking the button below.

Important Information

Contact Information

Challenger Learning Center

1500 W. Raab Rd.
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: 309-268-8700
Fax: 309-268-7984
Email: clc@heartland.edu

Social Media

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CLC Facebook Challenger Center

Meet the Staff

Portait of Julia Ossler

Julia Ossler

Director, Challenger Learning Center

Portait of Kelli Holton

Kelli Holton

Associate Director, Challenger Learning Center

Portait of Abby Owens

Abby Owens

Teaching and Logistics Specialist, Challenger Learning Center