Challenger Learning Center Home

Inspire, Explore, Learn... It's Our Mission 

Welcome to the Challenger Learning Center!

Please note that we are exclusively open to schools, organizations, and homeschool groups for full-day STEM experiences. Thank you for understanding we do not offer tours to the general public. Our focus is on providing immersive educational programs for students in grades 5-8 and summer programs for grades K-8. We look forward to inspiring young minds through hands-on STEM experiences at the Challenger Learning Center.

Check out our spaces! 

KidWind 2026 winners! 

It’s a wrap on the third annual KidWind Project Competition! Hosted Feb, 27 by the Challenger Learning Center in partnership with Heartland's Career and Technical Education staff and area sponsors, the competition featured more than 100 students from 10 schools across Central Illinois. Throughout the day, teams tested small-scale wind turbines, participated in solar challenges, took part in question-and-answer sessions, and toured the electric vehicle lab.

The winners

High School Division

First: Normal Community High School – Team No. 3

Second: Normal Community High School – Team No. 2

Middle School Division

First: Bement Middle School – Bulldog Land team

Second: Holy Cross Crusaders Current team

Judge’s Award

Recognizing outstanding overall knowledge, craftsmanship, and turbine design:

Normal Community High School – Team No. 1

Spirit of KidWind Award

Presented to a student who demonstrated perseverance and heart as a one-person high school team:

Bement High School – The Monarch Team

Participating high school and middle schools included DeLand-Weldon CUSD #57; Glendale Elementary in East Peoria; Bement CUSD 5; Lincoln Elementary School District #27; Holy Cross Elementary School in Champaign; and Metcalf School in Normal. High school teams represented Normal Community, Bement, Woodland Community Unit School District 5 in Streator, and Blue Ridge CUSD #18 in Farmer City.

Educators, sign up now for STEM experiences!