Today, Challenger Center was selected to receive a $1 million grant from Blue Origin’s Club for the Future. The grant, one of the largest in Challenger Center’s 35-year history, will boost the organization’s current work and amplify efforts to inspire even more students with engaging STEM programs.
“We are thrilled at the news of the donation and grateful to have an incredible partnership with Club for the Future,” said Lance Bush, President and CEO of Challenger Center. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders and innovators, and we have to ignite their potential. This generous gift from Blue Origin’s Club for the Future is not only an investment in Challenger Center, it’s an investment in our future STEM workforce.”
“Our recent auction for the first seat on New Shepard resulted in a donation of $28 million to our non-profit foundation, Club for the Future,” said Bob Smith, Blue Origin CEO. “This donation is enabling Club for the Future to rapidly expand its reach by partnering with 19 organizations to develop and inspire the next generation of space professionals. Our generation will build the road to space and these efforts will ensure the next generation is ready to go even further.”
With programs designed for students of all backgrounds, Challenger Center has a concentrated effort to meet the needs of underserved students and students who are underrepresented in STEM. Challenger Center currently serves 250,000 students annually across 30 states. In 35 years, Challenger Center has reached over 5.5 million students.
“Challenger Center and Club for the Future both recognize the importance of inspiring the next generation,” said Robert Curbeam, Chair of the Board of Directors of Challenger Center. “This gift will strengthen our ability to deliver the most impactful programs to the greatest number of students. Our sincere thanks to Blue Origin’s Club for the Future for their support.”
Challenger Center’s dynamic, hands-on programs deliver STEM content in the context of exciting real-world missions and adventures. Students interact with computer-driven simulations, role-play real-world STEM careers, and practice critical 21st century skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
About Challenger Center
As a leader in STEM education, Challenger Center serves more than 250,000 students annually with experiential education programs that engage students in hands-on learning opportunities. These programs, delivered at Challenger Learning Centers, in classrooms and virtually, strengthen knowledge in STEM subjects and inspire students to pursue careers in these important fields. Challenger Center was created in 1986 by the Challenger families to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51L. For more information, visit Challenger.org.
About Club for the Future
Founded by Blue Origin in 2019, Club for the Future is a nonprofit foundation whose mission is to inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM and to help invent the future of life in space. The Club and its collaborators are doing this through Postcards to Space, space-focused curriculum, and access to space on Blue Origin’s rockets. For more information visit, ClubforFuture.org
About Blue Origin
Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos with the vision of enabling a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. To preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes that humanity will need to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. On July 20, Blue Origin will fly its first astronaut crew on board New Shepard to space and back. To watch the launch live on July 20 or sign up for updates visit BlueOrigin.com.
