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ATTENTION

Middle School Teachers!

If you're a middle school teacher looking for an exciting, standards-based, hands-on experience for your students, then call Lead Flight Director Evan Pagliuca at 508-626-4055 to schedule a Voyage to Mars mission right away!

How does the 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.