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Close your eyes and imagine a STEM education program that combines hands-on, standards-based physical science with the power of space flight simulation and 360-degree, full-dome digital theater technology.
Open them, and welcome to the McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University.
The Voyage to Mars space flight simulation is better than ever this year, with new technology and teaching materials that make this popular program even more engaging and effective.
As if that weren't exciting enough, we've just opened our 30' Spitz SciDome planetarium and full-dome theater. Our new presentation, Oasis in Space, will engulf you in stunning, HD visualizations of our universe. Together we'll tour the solar system, the Milky Way, and beyond as we search for the most precious commodity in all of nature - WATER.
Then we'll explore the night sky with astronomy tools that are magnitudes more powerful than a standard planetarium system. You say Jupiter is in the sky tonight? We’ll learn how to find it, then WE’LL GO THERE, and perhaps visit the Galilean moons while we're in the neighborhood.
There have never been so many new programs and features in development here at the McAuliffe Center. We'll have big announcements to make in the areas of professional development, Voyage to Mars features, as well as planetarium programming in the next few weeks and months, so stay tuned.
Meanwhile, call Evan Pagliuca at (508) 626-4055 to schedule a Voyage to Mars mission or Oasis in Space planetarium adventure right away.
How does the Challenger Learning Center program work?
Middle school teachers attend a day-long workshop at Framingham State University, at which time they are introduced to the Center’s unique facilities and curriculum materials.They return to their classrooms and integrate these elements into their daily activities, beginning several weeks in advance of their scheduled visit.
On mission day students arrive at the McAuliffe Center with a clear understanding of their specific roles, the science behind their tasks, and the teamwork and communication skills necessary for mission success. The 2-hour mission simulation is as real as it gets.
The mission continues into the classroom even after the simulation experience has ended. Students analyze collected data, discuss emergency responses and other process decisions, and hold press conferences for schoolmates summarizing mission goals and outcomes.
Who can visit the McAuliffe Center?
The McAuliffe Center’s Challenger Mission Simulation program is not available to the general public. It is designed to work in a formal education setting under the direction of a middle school classroom teacher.The mission simulation experience is only the application component of a much broader educational experience, and requires advance preparation as well as post-mission follow up.
The McAuliffe Center is located on the campus of Framingham State University, and has no publically accessible displays or facilities.
The Boston Museum of Science, the Ecotarium in Worcester MA, and the McAuliffe/Shepard Discovery Center in Concord NH all specialize in public programming. The McAuliffe Center hopes you'll take advantage of the high-quality educational experiences they provide.
With the Space Shuttle program now fading in America's rear view mirror, what's to become of NASA?
The McAuliffe Center offers up a point of view in the article NASA, Post Shuttle: Now What?.
January 28th, 2013 marks the 27th anniversary of the tragedy which claimed the lives of the seven courageous men and women aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Today, all of the students and some of the teachers who visit the Christa McAuliffe Center are much too young to have any direct connection to these events.
The following article, On the 27th Anniversary of Challenger 51-L, is for them.
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