An out-of-this-world mission is being prepped for launch at Montgomery County Community College’s Challenger Learning Center at Montco Pottstown. Liftoff is scheduled for early 2025.  

In the “Earth Odyssey” mission, set to debut in January at the space-themed simulation facility located at 140 College Dr., Pottstown, a satellite collecting data about climate change starts to malfunction. Students in grades 5-8 will capture the satellite using a robotic arm and analyze its data to explore Earth, then launch a new satellite into space. When an emergency weather event arises, crews will collaborate to save the mission.

Annalise Giuliani, Program Manager, and Anjuli Aker, Program Coordinator at the Challenger Learning Center at Montco Pottstown, said they developed the mission with the team at Challenger Center headquarters.

“We were the first to test and roll it out to students live and in-person,” said Giuliani.

In February, students test-piloted the mission, with a Challenger team watching to identify any changes needed, said Giuliani.

One group retrieves the broken satellite and brings it to Earth. The other deploys the new satellite. Students encounter extreme weather including a hurricane and solar and lightning storms, said Giuliani.

“The mission was well received. It has a space focus, but we liked it because it was also relatable,” said Aker. “It deals with things we see and hear every day and ties into weather, climate change, the environment and sustainability.”

Giuliani and her team were recognized at the at the Challenger Learning Center conference for their efforts. Her team is excited to see the finished product in January.

“It’s neat to see the mission come full circle,” she said.

Since opening its doors in August 2022, the center has continued to see growth in bookings, with a majority of missions reserved through the academic year, said Giuliani.

“The number of Title I schools we’ve been able to serve has increased as well,” said Aker. “It’s exciting. It’s due to grant funding and donors and offering what we can offer on our end to schools in Pottstown, Norristown, Reading and others.”

The center welcomes schools from up and down the East Coast and conducts virtual missions.

“They allow us to reach schools who can’t physically be here,” said Aker. “We Zoom into their classrooms wearing our flight suits and students log in to do the mission.”

Virtual and in-person missions are open to various organizations including businesses, camps and scout troops. Groups interested in visiting over the summer are encouraged to schedule an appointment, she said.

As a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, Challenger Center and its international network of more than 40 Challenger Learning Centers use space-themed simulated learning environments to engage students in dynamic, hands-on opportunities. These experiences strengthen knowledge in STEM subjects and inspire students to pursue careers in these important fields.

The Challenger Learning Center at Montco Pottstown is part of the global network that reaches hundreds of thousands of students and tens of thousands of teachers each year. Founded in 1986, Challenger Center was created to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51L.

To learn more, contact the Challenger Learning Center or visit the landing page.