January, 2016
Challenger Spotlight
ULA Adopts Aurora, Falcon and Ellicott Schools

United Launch Alliance (ULA) has granted Challenger Colorado $20,000 to support  Aurora, Falcon, and Ellicott schools with Challenger educational programs. If you are a teacher in any of these districts, please coordinate with your principal and submit your request to  [email protected] .  Don't wait!  We expect these grants to be completely gone by the end of January 2016.  Thanks ULA! 
T Rowe Price adopts Keller Elementary
 
Financial services firm T Rowe Price has announce d it will provide $5,000 in Challenger Colorado space-themed programs to  Keller Elementary School in Colorado Springs District 11.  T Rowe Price is  providing exciting project-based Challenger experiences to the entire school.  Thanks T Rowe Price!
Northrop Grumman adopts Southern Colorado Schools
 
The Northrop Grumman Corporation has gifted
$4,000 for Challenger space science  programs to support schools in Fowler, Manzanola, Rocky Ford, Lamar, La Junta, Pueblo City and County.  If you're a teacher/administrator in one of these districts, please contact the Challenger Registrar  ([email protected]) to take advantage of this generous grant.  Thanks Northrop Grumman!
Explorer Post Member Receives Honor
Colorado Congressman Doug Lamborn nominates Explorer Post 1986 member Olga Bussell for the United States Merchant Marine Academy!  This is a big honor for Olga and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.

The Aerospace Explorer Post is open to young men and women ages 14 to 20 with an interest in careers in aerospace.  They meet at the Challenger Center on select Thursday evenings at 7 pm.  For more information about Explorer Post, contact Rob Fredell for more information: [email protected]
Calendar of Events for Teachers
January 9 - New Teacher Training
Who: Teachers new to Challenger Missions 
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Challenger Learning Center of Colorado
 
This training is for educators new to our simulator missions (Return to the Moon, Rendezvous with a Comet, or Voyage to Mars).  Teachers will be introduced to our Center by participating in a simulator mission.  The purpose of this training is to introduce our new teachers to our simulator and provide them with the materials and training necessary to prepare their students.  Lunch will be provided.
 
Please RSVP so Challenger can provide adequate materials to all attendees: (719)-598-9755
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January 13 - Returning Teacher Training
Who: Teachers who have participated in Challenger Missions 
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Challenger Learning Center of Colorado
 
Check out or remodeled Briefing Room!  The purpose is to highlight any mission changes, answer questions, and provide educators a refresher of our Comet, Mars, or Moon missions. Dinner will be provided. Attending this training will count toward the Professional Development credit offered by Challenger.
 
Please RSVP so Challenger can provide adequate materials to all attendees: (719)-598-9755
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January 25 - Planetarium Night at 21C
Who: Ages 4+ 
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Library 21C (Briargate)
Cost: Free!
 
As part of our 30th Anniversary Celebration we will set up our portable Planetarium in Library 21C.  Shows will be free and open to the public.  Seating is limited, so our staff members will be handing out free tickets to reserve seats.
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January 28 - Challenger 30th Anniversary  Commemoration
Location: Antlers Hotel
Time: Reception at 6:00 PM & Dinner at 7:00 pm

On Thursday, January 28th, Challenger Colorado will commemorate the 30th Anniversary with a dinner at the Antlers Hotel.  The night will include a reception and silent auction, starting at 6:00 pm.  Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm.  The featured speaker for the evening will be astronaut Susan Helms. There will also be a short awards ceremony honoring the winners of our Student 30th Anniversary Contest.  Please join us for a wonderful evening.
 
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January 30 - PALS HUB STEM Workshop for Teachers
Location: US Air Force Academy
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

PALS is offering a workshop presented by Dr. Ron Furstenau of the Chemistry Department at the US Air Force Academy.  We hope you can join PALS for "Measurements Matter" and "Smelly Science".  Content will be applicable for K-12 educators.

You must RSVP for this workshop.  Please register on the PALS website for this meeting.   The Academy has tight security, so you will be asked to show a valid photo ID.
 
PALS RSVP Website
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February 2 - LEGO Simple Machines Design Challenge
Who: K-3rd Grade Students
Location: Library 21C
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Teams of students will work together to build a mystery design using their LEGO Simple Machines kit.  Past mystery challenges have included launch vehicle lifters, asteroid deflectors, and asteroid sample collectors. Registration for this event is now closed.
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February 4 - LEGO WeDo Design Challenge
Who: 4th & 5th Grade Students
Location: Library 21C
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Teams of students will work together to build and program a mystery design using their LEGO WeDo kit.  Past mystery challenges have included launch vehicle lifters, asteroid deflectors, and asteroid sample collectors. Registration for this event is now closed .
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February 27 - Sea Perch Design Challenge
Who: 6th-12th Grade Students
Location: Coronado High School (Colorado Springs)
Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

The SeaPerch Design Challenge event will be divided into two divisions, the Junior Division for grades 6 - 8 and the Senior Division for students in grades 9 - 12. The Design Challenge is comprised of two parts; the Obstacle Course and the Design Challenge.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ron Bush:  [email protected]. 
Our Night Sky
Jan 3 & 4
Quadrantids Meteor Shower Peak  
Expect up to 40 meteors per hour, after midnight. The second quarter moon will block out the dimmer meteors. 

Jan 20 - Feb 20
All Five Planets Visible
 For the first time since 2005, the visible planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn) will appear simultaneously in our sky.

Mercury, Venus & Saturn
The three planets will be visible in the SE sky before dawn. Mercury will be very low on the horizon.

Mars 
The red planet will rise around midnight and be visible in the south before dawn.

Jupiter
Our largest planet will rise in the east around 10 pm, and be visible until dawn.

See the International Space Station!

This website will calculate when and where you need to look to see the ISS in your city.
Space News
First British Astronaut on the ISS 

Tim Peake became the first British citizen astronaut to enter the International Space Station.
Featured Free Web Resource
PBS Space Time

This YouTube Channel, sponsored by PBS, covers a variety of STEM subjects.  It offers explanations of everything from particle physics to astrophysics with clear explanations and great visuals.
Upcoming Global Launches
Jan 9
Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a communications satellite for Luxembourg.  It will provide TV services to South Asia, Indonesia and the Indian Ocean.
 
Jan 17
California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Jason 3 Earth observation satellite for NASA and NOAA.  It will measure ocean topography, ocean circulation and climate change.
 
Jan 25
Kazakhstan
An International Launch Services Proton rocket will launch a communication satellite.  It will provide digital TV and video services for Europe.
 
Jan 27
French Guiana
An Ariane 5 ECA rocket will launch a communication satellite servicing the Americas and the North Atlantic.
 
Jan TBD
India
An Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle will launch a navigation satellite providing GPS services for India.
 
Jan TBD
Russia
A Eurockot Rockot will launch an Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency.  It will measure ocean topography, temperature and color.
 
Feb 3
Florida
A ULA Atlas 5 rocket will launch a navigation satellite for the US Air Force.
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The Challenger Learning Center of Colorado | 719-598-9755
| [email protected] | http://www.clccs.org
10215 Lexington Drive,  Suite 110
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

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