|
About
the Christa McAuliffe Center
|
|
 The
Christa McAuliffe Center's primary purpose is to support teachers in their work.
We do this by offering exciting science and math programs designed for
both students and teachers, all closely based on the Massachusetts Science and
Technology/Engineering Curriculum Frameworks.
Some of these programs are created onsite to fulfill educational needs specific
to Massachusetts educators. Others are part of networks that impact hundreds of
thousands of students and teachers across the US, Canada, and the UK.
The Christa McAuliffe Center was established on the campus of Framingham State
College to continue the educational mission which was the life work of FSC's
most notable graduate.
The
Challenger
Learning Center is perhaps the McAuliffe Center’s best-known program. In full-size
mockups of both Houston’s Mission Control and a space station interior,
middle-school students apply the principles of physical science to the real-time
challenges of a simulated space flight.
Just up the hill is the newly
renovated
Framingham State
College Planetarium. The thirty-foot dome brings the majesty of the universe
down to Earth, with original programming from the McAuliffe Center that combines
state-of-the-art technology with standards-based, scientifically accurate
content.
 In
partnership with the Science Education Department of the Harvard-Smithsonian
Center for Astrophysics, the McAuliffe Center brings the
ARIES
hands-on astronomy-based physical science professional development and curriculum to teachers across the United States.
The McAuliffe Center’s relationship with NASA gives teachers throughout New
England access to the agencies many space-related educational materials.
Liftoff to Learning guides teachers
through this rich collection of resources.
In
Harmony with Education connects FSC pre-service teachers with middle school
students through the irresistible power of music. Created by Bose
Corporation, the curriculum merges the teaching of math, science and music using
hands-on performance and multimedia magic.
Building
a Presence for Science, a National Science Teachers Association program in
which more than 1,600 Massachusetts teachers of science facilitate the integration of
science education standards into classrooms statewide, is yet another example of
the Center’s collaborative efforts.
Administered through the McAuliffe Center and the FSC
Financial Aid Office, the
Christa Corrigan
McAuliffe Scholarship Program was created to attract, recognize, and
encourage exceptionally talented students wishing to study at the College.
Successful applicants are awarded $1,000 toward full-time tuition and expenses,
renewable for up to four years.
The McAuliffe/Challenger Learning Center is located at the rear of O’Connor
Hall, on the campus of Framingham State College, 100 State Street, Framingham,
MA.
|
