May, 2017
Challenger Spotlight
PD Credit for the 2016 - 2017 School Year


Professional Development Credit is available to teachers who had at least one class participate in a Simulator Mission in the 2016-2017 school year (Voyage to Mars, Rendezvous with a Comet, Return to the Moon).  

Educators must have attended a Teacher Training at our Challenger Center to qualify for PD credit.  If you did not attend a Teacher Training, you are welcome to join us for a training in the future, and then apply for PD credit for the 2017-2018 school year.

Teachers participating in their first year of Challenger Simulator Missions will receive 1 semester hour credit (16 contact hours).   Returning teachers will receive 0.5 semester hours credit (8 contact hours).

Teachers employed by Colorado Springs School Districts 11 and 20 can register for PD credit through their PD offices.  All other educators can contact our Lead Flight Director, Ron Bush.  He will issue you a PD credit certificate.

Email Ron Bush for any additional information: 
Student Summer Volunteers Needed
Students who have completed 9th or higher are welcome to join us as summer camp volunteers.  Our volunteers help Challenger staff make our summer camps successful and fun for all!  

If you know a student who would be interested in volunteering with us this summer, feel free to pass along our application information.
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If you have any questions concerning summer volunteers please contact Tanna George: 
Calendar of Events for Teachers
May 20th - Living In Space

What: Living in Space presentations
Where: Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center (Woodland Park)
When: 20 minute shows from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

This presentation is about human survival through the many challenges in space. You will learn what happens with your muscles in space, the effects of microgravity, astronaut hygiene, food and eating in space. You will also see a mock-up of an Apollo era space suit and learn how it works.

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Summer Camp Season!

Our summer camps serve students entering 1st grade - entering 12th grade.  Additional information on our Summer Camps can be found on our website: 

June 5 -8: Summer Camps at Mountain View Elementary

June 12-16 :  Summer Camps at the Challenger Center

June 19-22 :  Summer Camps at St. Paul Catholic School and the Challenger Center

June 26-29 : Summer Camps at Bear Creek Elementary and the Challenger Center

July 24-27 : Summer Camps at the Challenger Center

July 31 - August 4 : Summer Camps at the Challenger Center
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July 18-20 - STEM Bootcamp for Educators (Sold Out)

What: STEM Bootcamp
Where: U.S. Airforce Academy (Colorado Springs)
When: 9 am - 4 pm
Cost: $50 (includes lunch for all three days)

STEM Bootcamp is one of the top teacher workshops in the region.  Challenger Colorado and the U.S. Air Force Academy invite STEM-focused presenters from across the nation to lead education workshops.  STEM Bootcamp covers three days of workshops which prepare teachers to implement classroom ready projects in their schools.  

STEM Bootcamp Website
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All school districts, organizations, and groups can begin registering for Challenger Programs in the 2017-2018 school year. If you have questions concerning scheduling missions, or signing up for training please contact our Registrar, Marty Grantz:  ___________________________________________________
Our Night Sky
May

May 6-7
Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower Peak
This is an above average shower.  You can expect up to 60 meteors per hour.  Unfortunately the waxing gibbous moon will block out the fainter meteors.

Venus
Our closest planetary neighbor will be visible in the east, right before sunrise.

Jupiter
Jupiter will rise with the constellation Virgo in the south east after sunset.

Saturn
Saturn will rise in the middle of the night, and be visible until sunrise.

See the International Space Station!

This website will calculate when and where you need to look to see the ISS in your city.
Teacher Web Resource
NASA's Space Math

NASA's Space Math website provides space-themed math problems for upper elementary through high school.
 
Space News
SpaceX Launches its First Spy Satellite

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched a classified spy satellite for the U.S. government and landed the booster safely.
 
Upcoming Global Launches
May 15
Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Inmarsat 5 F4 communications satellite for London.
 
May 29
Kazakhstan
An International Launch Services Proton rocket will launch a commercial communications satellite providing broadband services to Europe.
 
May TBD
French Guiana
An Ariane 5 ECA rocket will launch the ViaSat 2 and Eutelsat 172B communication satellites serving the Americas and Southeast Asia.
 
May TBD
India
India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle will test launch the GSAT 19E experimental communications satellite.
 
May TBD
China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket will launch the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope.  It will survey for the highest energy X-rays, black holes and galactic nuclei throughout our universe.
 
May TBD
Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the next cargo delivery to the ISS.
 
May TBD
Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a commercial communications satellite for Bulsatcom.  It will provide TV services for southeast Europe.
Links
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The Challenger Learning Center of Colorado | 719-598-9755
| [email protected] | http://www.challengercolorado.org/
10215 Lexington Drive,  Suite 110
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

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