Challenger Space Center: an authentic space experience
Published: Sep 19, 2009
Open since 2000, the Challenger Space Center was built as a collaborative partnership between the Peoria Unified School District and the support of community members, students who helped to design the Center and major corporation and local business investments. Together, the $7.3 million Center was build for less than $3.5 million.
In addition to the community support, Peoria residents Kevin and Sydney Knight donated $1 million to the Center. In gratitude for their exceedingly generous donation, the Center’s building name is The Knight Space Science Education Center.
Designed in collaboration with a group of fifth and sixth graders, the Center was made to give the feeling that visitors are actually in space. Accomplishing this task the Center features sleek, silver, multi-story canisters represent booster rockets that grace the sides of the interior glass elevator and the ten galaxy-lit columns representing countdown to liftoff.
One of the most exciting activities at the Center allows visitors to take a 2-hour simulated flight mission. This exciting space-based learning environment allows visitors of all ages to fly a simulated space flight missions involving flight crews, mission controllers and scientists. Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. visitors can board the mission fly for $15-$18 per person.
Another great experience is the Giant StarLab Planetarium where you are transported into a night sky environment perfect for learning about upcoming sky events, the stars, constellations, the moon, planets, deep space objects, celestial coordinates, the seasons, multicultural folklore/mythology, and much more. Programs begin at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., each show runs 40 minutes.
Since it opened, the Center has seen more than 150,000 visitors and offers a variety of educational programs and exhibits. Once a month, the Center hosts Family Stargazing Night offering an entertaining and interactive stargazing program using high-powered telescopes. The program consists of a slide presentation on the constellations and planets. Also, hear stories of the night sky featuring folklore from many different cultures.
Some of the exhibits include the Columbia Shuttle Memorial display, the Iridium Satellite Model and the Robert McCall's Tour of the Universe Mural. The Universal Mural a six-story mural wrapping around the walls of our rotunda. This mural, painted by world-famous space artist, Robert McCall, encircles the entire interior rotunda of the main floor. Utilizing 27,000 square feet of canvas, this phenomenal piece of artistry took six months to complete. It is believed to be the largest mural in Arizona.
There is much more to do and see at the Challenger Space Center so, visit their website for a complete list of educational programs, special events, and exhibits.
- by Jennifer Pruett, Phoenix Reporter for HelloMetro
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