Be an Astronaut for a day at the Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Learning Center in Suffern, NY.
In the early 1980s NASA began to investigate the possibility of sending an American civilian into space. Christa McAuliffe, a teacher, was chosen.
On January 28, 1986, the Challenger Space Shuttle, with seven astronauts and Christa McAuliffe on board took off and exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. The Challenger Shuttle was destroyed, but the crew's mission to educate and inspire the youth of this country is still ongoing.
To date, there are Fifty Challenger Centers across the United States and around the world, established in memory of those that died on the Challenger Shuttle. The centers were designed and created to inspire and motivate children to take an interest in space, science and technology. Each center is designed to be an interactive mission simulator, giving visitors a chance to be an astronaut for the day.
Airmont / Suffern, NY is lucky enough to be the home of one of these centers. You can be an astronaut for a day and take a simulated voyage into space at the Challenger Learning Center on the third Sunday of every month, from 2:00 - 5:00pm (3 hours) Anyone, age 9 or over is welcome on board for this "out of this world experience". Younger children when paired with an adult family member can also participate.
Whether you head to the Moon, Mars, or a Comet, you'll learn that in order to be successful, a mission requires critical thinking, problem solving and most of all, teamwork.
The Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Learning Center (LHVCC) is located at:
225 Rte. 59
Airmont, N.Y. 10901
www.lhvcc.com
845-357-3416
Admission: Adults and Children over 9 - $10; Seniors and children 5-9 - $5; under 5 - free.
Reservations are required.
Visit the Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Learning Center to learn about other programs available there (e.g. LEGO workshops for children in first through fifth grades, LEGO Robotics program for children in fourth through eighth grades, etc.).
The next Public mission at The LHVCC will take place this Sunday, February 21, 2010.
Take a simulated Voyage into Space this Sunday; join a mission to the Moon, Mars, or a Comet.
Be an astronaut for a day!
Flickr Photo by pingnews
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