Challenger Spotlight

Thank you for all of your hard work, which made 2017 such a great year.  We look forward to soaring even higher in 2018.

Challenger Colorado Student Impact 2017

400 + classes engaged in Challenger Colorado's programs.  218 on-site missions, 153 distance-delivered eMissions, and 30 Night Sky planetarium programs.
 
115 Schools partnered with Challenger Colorado's STEM programs.
 
23 Summer Camps taught by certified teachers to almost 350 campers throughout Colorado Springs and Monument.
 
20,275 Students actively participated in Challenger Colorado's hands-on STEM programs.
 
230 Educators gained skilling and knowledge in STEM professional development opportunities.
 
$7,500 Granted directly to teachers.
Calendar of Events for Teachers
January 18 - Returning Teacher Training

Who: Educators who have participated in a Simulator Mission.
Location: Challenger Center
Time:  5:00 pm - 7:00 pm (dinner is provided)
Cost: Free   (Please RSVP)

This training is designed for teachers who have already brought students to participate in a Challenger Simulator Mission (Return to the Moon, Rendezvous with a Comet, Voyage to Mars).  It will highlight any mission changes and new resources available at Challenger.  Challenger also requests that interested teachers RSVP for the training, so our staff can prepare enough materials.  Professional development credit is available.   If you have any questions regarding this training, please contact our Registrar.

Marty Grantz:  [email protected]
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January 27 - New Teacher Training

Who: Educators participating in their first Simulator Mission.
Location: Challenger Center
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (lunch is provided)
Cost: Free  (Please RSVP)

This training is designed for teachers who will bring their first class of students to participate in a Challenger Simulator Mission (Return to the Moon, Rendezvous with a Comet, Voyage to Mars).  The teachers will run their own mission will highlight student job assignments, and discuss opportunities for educators through Challenger.  Professional development credit is available. If you have any questions regarding this training, please contact our Registrar.

Marty Grantz:  [email protected]
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February 26 & 28 - WeDo LEGO Design Challenge

Who: Students in Grades 4th and 5th
Location: Library 21C (Briargate), Colorado Springs
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cost:  Free - Registration is closed.

Teams of students will compete to build a mystery design using their WeDo LEGO kits.  Due to the large number of 4th & 5th grade teams participating, the competition will be divided into two nights.  Participants will be informed which night to attend. 

Registration for this event is now closed.  Challenger announces new LEGO Design Challenges each fall, typically in October.  If you are interested in joining us next year, watch this Challenger Newsletter for the announcement.
 
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March 5 -  Early Simple Machines  LEGO Design Challenge  

Who: Kindergarten & 1st Grade students
Location: Library 21C (Briargate), Colorado Springs
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cost: Free -  Registration is closed
 
Teams of students will compete to build a mystery design using their Early Simple Machines LEGO kits.  Registration for this event is now closed.
 
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March 6 & 7 - Simple Machines LEGO Design Challenge 

Who: 2nd & 3rd Grade students
Location: Library 21C (Briargate), Colorado Springs
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cost: Free -  Registration is closed
 
Teams of students will compete to build a mystery design using their Simple Machines LEGO kits.  Due to the large number of teams participating the competition will be divided into two nights.  Participants will be informed which night to attend. Registration for this event is now closed.
 
Our Night Sky
Mercury
The beginning of the new year is the best time to see the smallest planet just before sunrise in the east.
 
Jupiter and Mars
They are close together in the southeastern sky, rising around 3:00 am.
 
Jan 2
There is a Full Moon & a Supermoon.  Supermoon occurs when the moon is the closest approach to Earth the moon will appear slightly bigger and brighter than usual.
 
Jan 3 & 4
Quadrantids Meteor Shower.  Up to 40 meteors can be seen per hour.  The best viewing will occur after midnight.
 
January 31
There is a Full Moon, Super Moon, Blue Moon, and a Total Lunar Eclipse.  A Super Moon occurs when the Moon is at its closest approach to Earth.  The Moon will look slight bigger and brighter.  A Blue Moon occurs when you see two Full Moons in one month. And a total lunar eclipse occur from 3:51 am until 7:09 am in Colorado Springs, CO.

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
STEMonstrations!

Joe Acaba is currently NASA's teacher in space.  Joe has made and shared great demonstration videos from the Space Station!

Space News
Our Solar System has a Visitor

Scientists are studying our solar system's first observed interstellar asteroid.  The asteroid is named Oumuamua and  it will travel through the inner and outer reaches of our solar system.  
 
Upcoming Global Launches
Jan 10
California
A ULA Delta 4 rocket will launch a classified satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.
 
Jan 18
Florida
A ULA Atlas 5 rocket will launch a missile early-warning detection satellite for the U.S. military.
 
Jan 25
French Guiana
An Ariane 5 ECA rocket will launch two communication satellites serving the Americas, Europe and Africa.
 
Jan 30
Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a military communications satellite for Luxembourg.
 
Jan 30
California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch an Earth imaging satellite for Spain.
 
January TBD
India
India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle will launch an Earth observation satellite for the U.K..
 
January TBD
Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch its first test flight.
 
January TBD
India
India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle will launch a communication satellite for India.
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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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