October 22, 2009, Alexandria, VA – Challenger Center for Space Science Education has received a three-year $564,000 climate education grant from NASA to enhance learning through the use of NASA’s Earth Science resources.

15 organizations were selected from more than a hundred applications, and include colleges and universities, nonprofit groups, museums, science centers and a school district. The winning proposals illustrate innovative approaches to using NASA content to support elementary, secondary and undergraduate teaching and learning, and through lifelong learning. There is a particular emphasis on engaging students using NASA Earth observation data and Earth system models.

Challenger Center’s program will support new partnerships with NASA’s My NASA Data and Earth Observatory online programs in the design of new online interactive Earth science investigations for middle and high school students using near real time data; and with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies and the American Museum of Natural History for online professional development Earth science courses for Challenger Learning Center educators at 16 participating centers.

The NASA cooperative agreement is expected to leverage NASA’s unique contributions in climate and Earth system science. The grants support NASA’s goal of engaging students in the critical disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and inspiring the next generation of explorers. Winning proposals were selected through a merit-based, peer-reviewed competition.

About Challenger Center:

Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, Challenger Center and its international network of 47 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students’ expectations of success, fosters a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and inspires students to pursue studies and careers in these areas.

Challenger Center’s network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States and in Canada, the United Kingdom and South Korea reach more than 300,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs, and engage over 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops and other programs.

To learn more, visit www.challenger.org.

Contact: Rita Karl, Director of Education
rkarl@challenger.org, 703-535-1345
Challenger Center for Space Science Education
300 N. Lee Street, Suite 301, Alexandria, VA 22314