ALABAMA’S ONLY CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER

Through hands-on missions and discovery, we engage learners of all ages in science, technology, engineering, and math — shaping tomorrow’s innovators and leaders.

PROGRAMS

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WHO WE ARE

Hands-on STEM missions · School partnerships · Workforce pathways

MISSION & VISION

Engage students and teachers in dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities that strengthen knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), inspire students to pursue careers in these fields, and provide an outlet to learn and apply important life skills.

HOW WE SERVE STUDENTS

Through school partnerships, students visit Challenger throughout the school year to complete simulated space missions that align with Alabama State Education Standards. Our interactive missions reinforce classroom learning while sparking curiosity, teamwork, and real-world problem solving.

WHO WE SERVE

We serve 5th–8th grade students across Northeast Alabama, including:

Blount

Calhoun

Cherokee

Clay

Cleburne

DeKalb

Etowah

Jefferson

Marshall

Randolph

St. Clair

Talladega

QUICK FACTS

Funding & facts that made this possible

$8,500,000

Supplemental Education Trust Fund appropriation (construction)

$2,400,000

Supplemental Education Trust Fund appropriation (construction)

$1,100,000

Pledged via community & foundation grants, and public/private partners

PRE-REGISTER YOUR GROUP ADVENTURE

We host mission-based visits throughout the school year. Programs align to Alabama State Education Standards and are offered through school partnerships.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

CONTACT

Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama

Email:

info@challengernea.org

DR. FARRAH HAYES

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In this role, Dr. Farrah Hayes is leading the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama in its mission to develop and implement innovative STEM programs designed to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

She aims to provide accessible and high-quality STEM education and training, starting at the middle school level and continuing through workforce development programs for high school students.

MISSION PROGRAMS

School Visits • Corporate Visits • Summer Camps

EXPEDITION MARS

The year is 2076. A handful of facilities have been established on Mars: a greenhouse, a mobile geological survey base, and a centralized research habitat. The primary human habitat is not on Mars, but on one of its moons, Phobos.

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LUNAR QUEST

NASA recently launched a Rover (ROV) to the Moon to explore new areas and collect critical scientific data. However, the ROV lost power before any of the findings were sent back to Earth.

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OPERATION COMET

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LUNAR QUEST

NASA recently launched a Rover (ROV) to the Moon to explore new areas and collect critical scientific data. However, the ROV lost power before any of the findings were sent back to Earth.

JOIN THE MISSION

The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama represents the very best of our state’s commitment to education, innovation, and the future of our children. By inspiring young minds through hands-on STEM learning, we are investing not only in their dreams but also in Alabama’s future workforce and leadership.