DONATIONS

Inspire. Explore. Educate.  It's our mission.

AN EDUCATION IN EXPLORATION

The mission of the Challenger Learning Center is to inspire generations to accomplish things that may at first appear impossible. Our primary goals include:

• provide hands-on, real world interactive educational experiences to students of all ages throughout central Illinois.
• conduct simulated missions for school groups as a culminating experience to an interdisciplinary classroom curriculum.
• improve the quality of Illinois education by providing state-of-the-art training and professional development opportunities and curriculum resources for classroom teachers.
• increase student interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers by raising awareness of opportunities in those fields.

2010-11 SPACE MISSIONS FOR SCHOOLS

The Challenger Learning Center provides simulated space missions to central Illinois schools of K-12 students.

Kindergarten through fourth grade students take on the roles of astronauts, scientists, and engineers during their MICRONAUT mission.

Students in grades fifth through eighth become the flight controllers and astronauts during their SCHOOL mission to Rendezvous with a Comet, or take a Voyage to Mars.

Ninth through twelfth grade students not only become the flight controllers and astronauts during their HIGH SCHOOL mission, but also lead their mission, Operation: Planet Rescue.

To find out more about our simulated space missions for schools or to register for a mission click here.

FREE COMMUNITY DAY EVENT AT HEARTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Celebrate one of the area's greatest resources this fall by accepting Heartland Community College's open invitation to its first-ever Community Day, a free event allowing area residents and their families - as well as an expanding alumni base - to experience what Heartland Community College has to offer its current students and growing community.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, September 18, Heartland will offer a variety of opportunities to experience its Normal campus and to freely sample some of the many programs, locations and events the College has to offer, including:

• Community Education classes such as drawing, cooking, fishing, dancing, astronaut training, poetry writing and 3D art
• Enclosed, temperature-controlled trolley tours of the entire Normal campus, as well as tours of instructional and community buildings
• Academic class samplings in the fields of health, science, finance, technology, art, literature, history, travel, and eco-friendly living
• International activities/cultural demonstrations
• An alumni tent to welcome and visit with past Heartland graduates.

In addition, Beyond Buildings Community Day will feature a free performance by the energetic local band The Bygones. Children will be able to enjoy on-site inflatables, a caricature artist and an appearance by the Zoo Lady. Other family-friendly fun will include athletic challenges, the Normal Fire Department's Survive Alive House,"Funbelievable" balloon artistry, and an ID-a-Child safety station. Free food also will be available.

To learn more about Challenger Learning Center's offerings on September 18, 2010 click here. To learn more about the other programs and classes available at Heartland Community College on September 18, 2010 visit www.heartland.edu