The Challenger Center for Space Science Education was created in response to the grief and tragedy of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in which seven Americans lost their lives, including Christa McCuliffe, who was to be the first "teacher in space". The family members of these astronauts didn't want this to be the last memory that so many Americans had of their loved ones so they decided to do something positive that would continue the mission. They decided to create a learning center environment where students would "fly" simulated space missions. The first Challenger Learning Center opened a few months later in Houston, Texas. Since then, approximately 40 other Challenger Learning Centers have opened across the United States, Canada, and England. The Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky in Hazard opened in 1999 and was the 34th Center in operation. 

     Challenger Learning Centers use space exploration as a tool to excite and inspire students to learn science, mathematics, and technology. They become participants in a NASA team of scientists, engineers and technicians, all critical components of completing a successful space mission. A one-day teacher professional development session and a 5-6 week "mission prep" classroom component, which is aligned with national science and mathematics standards, are key to a successful mission. The culminating event occurs when the students visit the Challenger Learning Center where they apply the skills they have learned in the classroom in either our "Mission Control" simulator or in our "Space Station simulator. These simulators look and feel like NASA machinery and are equipped with research computers, robots, remote glove boxes, NASA star charts, video cameras and monitors. Student astronauts and mission controllers have to communicate and work together as a team to successfully complete their 2.5-hour mission.