The Nierman Challenger Learning Center at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is a part of a growing network of centers worldwide that are being established by the Challenger Center for Space Science Education in memory of the crew of Space Shuttle Challenger. Founded by the families and friends of the lost seven shuttle astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space candidate, this agency continues the Challenger crew’s educational mission to teach, to explore and to inspire.

Born out of tragedy, and with the purpose of continuing the mission of Flight 51-L, the Nierman Challenger Learning Center offers educational programs that will instill and increase enthusiasm for science, math and technology. At present there are 52 in the United States, 1 in Canada, 1 in the United Kingdom, a total of 54 worldwide. Primarily the Challenger Center programs are targeted toward the Middle School grades, but due to the effectiveness of the entire program and the increased interest in space, missions are just as exciting for the upper grades and adults. The Nierman Challenger Center was the first of its kind on the West Coast and continues to offer exciting space simulations for thousands of school students and to hundreds of corporate-minded adults through field trip programs, birthday parties and corporate missions.

The Simulation
The Nierman Challenger Learning Center programs use a realistic mock-up of a Mission Control center and a futuristic Space Station to transport participants in simulated space voyages. Participants not only experience the excitement of being crew members working in the simulated Science Lab of the Space Station but also experience the challenge of working at Mission Control. The crew, working together, must complete tasks as a team in order to complete a successful mission.