One small step for SC4: Challenger Learning Center to provide moon exploration experience

Editor's Note: The name of Jessica Smith has been corrected.

Ten, nine, eight...the timer ticks down as you prepare to launch to the moon in a space exploration journey.

St. Clair County Community College is home to the Challenger Learning Center, a space themed hands-on experience. Mission: Lunar Quest, it's current virtual adventure, provides an immersive experience for participants.

And residents have a chance to check it out July 30 and Aug. 27. The virtual flights aim to give participants a passion for learning while also providing a fun activity.

Mission: Lunar Quest requires at least 18 people, which is why mainly school groups have gone through since its opening. The open missions will allow multiple smaller groups to register for the experience.

"We can't run a mission unless we have that 18 to 35 group because the mission is so collaborative and has many roles," Kristin Copenhaver, the vice president of communication and special projects at SC4, said.

Copenhaver said any kind of large group, not just students, can register for regular tours, as long as it meets the 18 person minimum.

“Anytime you make education and learning fun, it has the tendency to leave a lasting impact on people,” said Copenhaver.

The Challenger Center opened April 30 with tours starting May 2. Copenhaver said the open mission dates will provide better access to the learning center.

“We want to make sure residents within our community, as well as students in surrounding districts, has potential access to the center because it’s such a cool experience,” she said.

The missions will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the two Saturdays. Both virtual flights are limited to the first 35 registrants. Tickets are $25.

The tour groups will be separated into two team-mission control and space craft. The two teams must communicate to successfully complete a moon rover mission. Mission: Lunar Quest encourages teamwork, communication and critical thinking skills.

Missions last about two and a half hours and include pre-briefing, the actual mission, a debrief and commentary section.

Jessica Smith, director of Business Services at SC4, said tour groups are pretty excited and enthusiastic when entering the Challenger Center.

"As soon as we open the door (for tours), we get the 'oohs and ahhs'," she said. "It's just exciting to watch that all the time."

Copenhaver said the open tour dates are to gage community interest in the Challenger Center.

“We’re looking to see how many people sign up and our goal is to really provide access to our whole community and beyond it,” she said.

The Challenger Learning Center is a part of the Experience Center at SC4, which aims to create a better understanding of STEM for visitors. Other activities in the building include a bird and mineral gallery, virtual reality and the Dr. Bassam H. Nasr Natural Science Museum. Copenhaver said the Challenger Learning Center is a great addition to SC4’s other immersive and hands-on STEM experiences.

SC4 has the only Michigan-based Challenger Learning Center. There are 40 nationwide and internationally. The center was founded in 1986 after the Challenger shuttle explosion. The families of the Challenger crew created the center to keep the memory of their loved ones alive.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Challenger Center at SC4 opens two tour dates for community