St. Clair County Community College selected by Challenger Center as the location of a new, high-tech learning center focused on STEM

The Challenger Center, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational resources to communities across the world, has selected St. Clair County Community College (SC4) as the site for a new Challenger Learning Center. College administrators envision the center hub for both community engagement in STEM activities and a resource for students pursuing post-secondary degrees in STEM disciplines. Scheduled to open in early 2022, the new facility will house a space mission simulator, a trademark installation for Challenger Learning Centers around the world.

When it opens, the Challenger Learning Center will provide immersive STEM experiences to primary and secondary students in Michigan and Ontario. At its facilities around the world, the Challenger Center brings a variety of simulated missions. One virtual mission, geared at fifth and sixth graders, challenges students to solve a critical emergency scenario in which a solar storm shuts down communications with an exploration vehicle on Mars. Center Missions take place in the space mission simulator areas. The simulator is divided into the Spacecraft, Mission Control and the missions are led remotely by professional Flight Directors. 

According to a release from Challenger Center, through its various centers and programs, the organization has reached over 5.5 million students. President and CEO Lance Bush spoke about the selection of SC4, "We are excited to welcome St. Clair County Community College to the Challenger Center organization and look forward to seeing the students of Michigan and Ontario experience our unique STEM programs. This year marks Challenger Center's 35th Anniversary. For us, there's no better way to recognize such an important milestone than to reach more students, and this new Center at St. Clair County Community College will do just that."

"SC4 is an ideal location for a Challenger Learning Center," explained President of St. Clair County Community College, Dr. Deborah Snyder. "We are committed to expanding student interest in STEM and encouraging STEM higher education opportunities on our campus. The addition of a Challenger Learning Center supports the college and our community by fostering a robust culture of STEM, strengthening STEM education opportunities, integrating business, industry and educational entities, and creating high-quality educational experiences for learners of all ages."