September, 2017
Challenger Spotlight
Checkout Our Expanded STEM Library!


Challenger Colorado strives to help teachers bring STEM into their classrooms.  With the support of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Challenger now offers an expanded variety of materials to educators.  Teachers can checkout programming, engineering, and robotics materials to use in their classroom at no cost.  

Our STEM Library Materials Include:
  • LEGO Early Simple Machines
  • Bee-Bots
  • LEGO Simple Machines
  • LEGO WeDo (original)
  • Dash Robots
  • Ozobot Bits
  • MaKey MaKey Boards
  • MaKey MaKey Go's
  • Little Bits: Space Kit
  • LEGO Mindstorms (NXT Education)
  • Calculator Robots
  • Marble Runs
If you have additional questions concerning our STEM Library, or you would like to reserve at set for your classroom, please contact our Registrar.

Marty Grantz
719-598-9755
NEW CREW MANIFEST!
In the fall of 2016 Challenger updated the Crew Manifest for all three simulator missions: Return to the Moon, Rendezvous with the Comet, and Voyage to Mars.  The changes have been made to the numbering system on the manifest.  All of the job descriptions have remained the same.  

If you have ran missions with us in the past, please double check to make sure you are using the updated manifest.  This will help prevent any changes to your students' jobs on the day of their mission.

Calendar of Events for Teachers
September 16 - Shield 616 Community Event
Who: Families of all ages
Location: Great Wolf Lodge
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Shield 616 works to provide protective gear to our local first responders at no cost.  Challenger is proud to host our paper rocket booth at their community event.  Join us in supporting our local first responders!

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October 4 - Teacher Training

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

This training is designed for teachers who will bring students to participate in a Challenger Simulator Mission.  It will highlight student job assignments, and discuss opportunities for educators through Challenger.  If you have any questions regarding this training, please contact our Registrar.
Marty Grantz:  [email protected]
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October 14 - Cool Science Carnival Day at UCCS
Who: STEM enthusiasts of all ages
Location: UCCS Campus
Time: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Cost: Free

The Cool Science Carnival Day is always a blast for the entire family! Science shows, open labs, hands-on fun, and much more on the UCCS Campus. The Challenger Center will be hosting a hands-on underwater robotics booth.

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October 21 - Colorado Springs Mini Maker Faire
Who: STEM enthusists of all ages
Location: Library 21C (Briargate)
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free

Maker Faire is a showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. The Maker Faire a place where people show what they are making, and learning.  Makers range from tech enthusiasts, to crafters, to homesteaders, to scientists, to garage tinkerers. Join us for some innovation!

Our Night Sky
September

September 6
Full moon.

September 20
New moon.

September 22
Fall equinox.  It is the first day of fall, and the duration of day and night are equal.

Mercury
It is one of the best times to see the Mercury this year.  Look toward the eastern horizon just before sunrise.

Venus
It will appear bright in the eastern sky right before sunrise. 

Jupiter
Jupiter will be visible in the west after sunset.

Saturn
Saturn will be visible in the southern sky above Scorpio.

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
Happy 40th Birthday Voyager!

NASA is celebrating 40 years since the launch of the Voyager 1 probe. They have released several new posters and info-graphics.
 
Space News
New Black Hole

NASA discoverd a new type of black hole, and it is located near the center of the Milky Way.  This new black hole will help scientists learn more about the creation of super-massive black holes.
 
Upcoming Global Launches

Sept. 9

Kazakhstan

A ILS Proton rocket will launch a communications satellite servicing Central and South America.

 

Sept. 11

California

A ULA Atlas 5 rocket will launch a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

 

Sept 12

Kazakhstan

A Russian Soyuz rocket will launch the next crew (Expedition 52s) to the ISS.

 

Sept. 21

Russia

A Eurockot Rockot will launch an Earth observation satiate for the European Space Agency.  It will study atmospheric pollution.

 

Sept. 25

Florida

A ULA Atlas 5 rocket will launch a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

 

Sept. 27

Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a communication satellite servicing the U.S. and Caribbean.

 

Sept. 28

Kazakhstan

An ILS Proton rocket will launch a communications satellite servicing Asia.

 

Sept. 30

California

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch several communications satellites, providing mobile phone services.
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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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