A federal grant of more than $2 million will help upgrade the space mission simulation technology at the Challenger Learning Center in Bangor, as well as other improvements, the center announced Tuesday.
Maine students will get to experience several new space missions once the $2.186 million upgrades are done at the center, which is designed to foster a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The grant comes from NASA, with Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King securing the funds. The money will upgrade both the hardware and software used for the center’s simulation technology, along with its mission control and the space center. Instead of Apollo missions, students will participate in Artemis, lunar and Earth missions, Executive Director Kirsten Hibbard said.
The upgrades come as the Challenger Learning Center celebrates its 20th anniversary. Last year the center had 8,0000 students participate in its programming, and the number of students it serves grows every year, Hibbard said.
“I look forward to our continued work to support valuable STEM education for many years to come,” Collins said in a video played at the announcement.
The center also announced a $1.55 million fundraising campaign on Tuesday to provide more scholarships for students and expand the Challenger Learning Center’s ability to serve more schools and students.
“That’s why we really need the community support, to allow students who wouldn’t be able to come here otherwise,” board member Katelynn Ronan said.
Equity is a big part of the fundraiser, Hibbard said. The center wants to serve schools no matter the financial need.
“We want to help really be part of a STEM experience for them in a positive way,” Hibbard said.
Upgrades will start the first week of December with the project expected to be done in March, she said.
“We’ve gotten here because of community support,” Hibbard said. “Let’s help set Challenger up for the next steps.”
