Frequently Asked Questions
Operations
The Challenger Learning Center is open Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, except holidays.
Evening and weekend hours are by appointment only.
The Challenger Learning Center is closed annually December 24-January 1.
Yes. Call (309) 268-8700 or email clc@heartland.edu in advance to schedule a time for your tour. Tours of the Athena Transport Module, Mission Control, and Spacecraft are not available when simulators are in use.
Missions & Programs
The Challenger Learning Center provides K-12 school missions, social missions, and corporate professional development missions.
The Challenger Learning Center runs programs all year long, including spring break and summer youth learning adventures and Boy Scout and Girl Scout workshops.
In addition, the Challenger Learning Center hosts birthday parties, simulator tours, virtual and in- person presentations, and school assemblies.
A K-4th grade school mission accommodates 6-48 students and a 5th-12th grade school mission accommodates 16-32 students.
A social mission accommodates 10-30 people, and a teambuilding mission accommodates 16-30 people.
A K-12th grade school mission lasts 2.5 hours. Mission times are 9:00-11:30am or 11:45am-2:15pm, when school is in session.
A social mission lasts 2 hours and a teambuilding mission lasts 3-4 hours. Social and teambuilding missions are scheduled Monday-Friday, (except holidays), from 8:00am-4:30pm or evenings and weekends upon request.
A K-12th grade school mission costs $550 (September-December) or $650 (January-May). This price includes the teacher training workshop, curriculum, and the mission.
The fee for a social mission is $30/person. The fee for a teambuilding mission is $60/person.
- Yes. The Challenger Learning Center provides public missions and programs through Continuing Education throughout the year.
Scholarships
The Challenger Learning Center is a not-for-profit organization. A limited number of scholarships are made available to schools thanks to the generosity of donors and successful fundraising events. Contact the CLC for more information.