Challenger Learning Center gets update

Heartland Community College has unveiled a new look for the STEM education Challenger Learning Center (CLC), which hosts hundreds of school field trips each year. 

This week the CLC joined with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce to cut the ribbon on the newly remodeled Command Center, formerly the Briefing Room. 

The Challenger Learning Center's primary mission is to foster STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) engagement among students through immersive, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities. The Command Center will play a pivotal role in having students direct their classmates within the space station simulator to complete NASA inspired missions, facilitating communication and teamwork. 

“Our new Command Center will not only empower students to immerse themselves in transformative STEM education, but also serve as a dynamic space for our summer open enrollment programs, fostering creativity, collaboration, and new learning opportunities,” said Dr. Julia Ossler, Director, Challenger Learning Center. 

This renovation project, completed over the summer, introduces advancements in technology and equipment, enhancing the educational experience for students and teachers alike. 

Key features of the new Command Center include: upgraded computers and hardware equipped with the latest cloud-based software from Challenger Center, student-friendly seating designed to create a conducive learning environment, an array of wall-mounted TVs and screens, and updated audio systems. 

About the Challenger Learning Center:

The Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College is an immersive educational facility designed to ignite students' passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students from across the Midwest have participated in over 315 STEM experiences and 7,292 students completed a STEM experience in the last year.