November, 2017
Challenger Spotlight
Take a Sphero for a Spin!

The Challenger Learning Center of Colorado is continuing to add to our STEM Library for educators. We are happy to announce that Sphero Spark Plus robots are now available for checkout.

Sphero is a Boulder Colorado based company that produces  durable, programmable robots.  The robots can be controlled through an app (run on a phone or tablet).  The Sphero can be driven with a simple finger control, or programmed for more complex movements.  Each robot contains a rechargeable battery for hours of exploration. Challenger has multiple Spheros available for checkout.

If you would like to check out a STEM resource for your classroom, or have any additional questions, please contact our Registrar, Marty Grantz.

Marty Grantz
Registrar
719-598-9755
SeaPerch Design Challenge 2018
Due to the unexpected unavailability of federal funding, Challenger Learning Center will not be hosting a SeaPerch Competition for the 2017-2018 school year.
 
Please refer to the Official SeaPerch website, http://www.seaperch.org/, for information about other regional competitions, or go to http://www.seaperch.org/region_map and click on Colorado to request information from the regional contact.
 
Thank you for your past participation.  We hope we will be able to host a competition in the 2018/2019 school year!
Calendar of Events for Teachers
November 20 - 24 - Thanksgiving Break

The Challenger Learning Center will be closed during Thanksgiving break to allow our staff to celebrate the holiday with their families.
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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 now 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.
 
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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 now 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 now 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
November 4
Full moon.

November 4 & 5
Taurids Meteor Shower Peak.  This shower will produce up to 10 meteors per hour.  The full moon will drown out all but the brightest meteors.  This shower is caused by Comet Enke!

November 17 & 18
Leonids meteor shower peak.  Up to 15 meteors can be seen in an hour.  The best viewing will occur after midnight.

November 18
New moon.

Mercury
It will be visible at the very end of November.  Look to the western horizon just after sunset.

Venus & Mars
They will be visible just before sunrise in the eastern sky.  Venus will be low on the horizon, with Mars just above.
 
Saturn
The ringed planet will be  in the southwestern sky right after sunset.

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
BiomeViewer 

Explore and compare the different biomes on Earth.  Learn about the plants, animals and environmental conditions at each location. This resource is available as an app or website.
 
Space News
LEGO 'Women of NASA' Figures are Here!

LEGO is now offering four figures highlighting women in space exploration.  
 
Upcoming Global Launches
Nov 7
French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega rocket will launch an Earth observation satellite for Morocco.
 
Nov 10
California
A ULA Delta 2 rocket will launch a polar-orbiting weather satellite for NOAA.
 
Nov 10
Virginia
An Orbital ATV Antares rocket will launch a cargo resupply mission to the ISS.
 
Nov 28
Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a cargo resupply mission to the ISS.
 
Nov 28
Russia
A Russian Soyuz rocket will launch a weather satellite and several Earth observation CubeSats.
 
Nov TBD
California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 mobile phone communication satellites.
 
Nov TBD
Kazakhstan
A Ukrainian Zenit rocket will launch a communications satellite for Angola.
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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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