FALL 2014

Cheryl Coxsteps up to Lead Programs Teacher

Lead Programs Teacher Cheryl Cox is a familiar face at Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology. Those of you who have attended CLCST’s popular Messy Science night will recognize Cheryl as the lead for that program, and the students who are part of Club Challenger know her as their lab-coat-wearing teacher. She has been with CLCST for a little more than a year.

Cheryl earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree from Northern Illinois University in visual communications. She taught at the Albany Institute of History in Albany, N.Y. After moving to Woodstock, she taught at Crystal Lake Montessori School for 14 years. She says a quote by Mahatma Gandhi inspired her to choose a career in education: “If we are to

Continued on page 4

NEW PUBLIC PROGRAMS:

CLUB CHALLENGER ANDENGINEERING ADVENTURES

The CLCST staff is excited to announce the implementation of two new programs this fall. The two programs are open to the public and expand educational opportunities offered outside the school day.

• CLUB CHALLENGER is a new after-school program for third- to fi fth-graders that meets from 4 to 5:30 p.m. the fi rst Tuesday of every month. Club Challenger participants can choose the fall or spring session or both.

Each four-month session will focus on a component of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). In September, the fi rst round of Club Challenger students participated in several different hands-on science experiments that taught them about chemical reactions and the power of observation. They learned about technology in October and built their very own Bristle Bots! Robotics is the subject for November, and the mathematics of space travel will be featured in December.

Similar learning experiences will be offered in the spring session. Registrations are being accepted for the spring session. Please visit www.challengerillinois.org for details and to register.

What: Club ChallengerAges: 3rd to 5th gradersDates: Spring 2015 (Feb. 3, March 3, April 7 and May 5)Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m.Cost: $60 per student if registered by Jan. 1, 2015; $70 per student after Jan. 1

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2 THE COMMUNICATOR

CLCST wish listWith as many as 90 elementary and middle school students working and learning at CLCST each school day, equipment and materials need to be replaced and new items purchased to enhance their learning experiences. CLCST’s current needs include:• New computers and monitors for

mission control and space station $35,000

• New Challenger software platform: Sim3 confi gured server and training $10,000

• Carpet for Observation Deck $8,000

• 20 mission control chairs $2,500

Wish list items can be funded in part of in full or can be in-kind donations. For information, call Chantel at 815-338-7722 or email cmadson@challengerillinois.org.

Heartfelt thanksCLCST is grateful to the following businesses, groups and individuals for generously donating funds and/or goods and services to CLCST:

RIDGEVIEW ELECTRIC for replacing parking lot lights and donating new hand dryers for the recently renovated restrooms;

WAVTEK’S ERICH KRAMER and PAUL GARIEPY for their expertise, hard work and dedication in repairing and updating the 737 fl ight simulator; and

TIVOLI ENTERPRISES INC. (CLASSIC CINEMAS OF WOODSTOCK) for labor and materials to build and install platforms, side rails and light strips to accommodate the American Airline seats in fl ight simulator room.

• Ed Dobbs, superintendent of maintenance and construction, and Thomas Adamski, carpenter, who created the platform addition to the fl ight simulator room; and

• Classic Cinemas Marketing Manager Mark Mazrimas and owners Willis Johnson, Shirley Johnson and Chris Johnson for making all of the fl ight simulator room additions possible.

Volunteers helpCLCST orbitFrom the beginning in 2001, CLCST has depended on its crew of volunteers. All are essential to the success of the center. Some work with students and others help keep the center running smoothly.

The current volunteers are:

CLCST IS SEEKING ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS• Front desk receptionist• EdVenture Center facilitator and mission

specialists

Details about the center’s volunteer opportunities can be found at the Volunteer Center of McHenry County website at volunteercentermchenrycounty.org.Click on volunteer, thenvolunteer needs and search for Challenger Center.

Steve Arnold Tom BurgDan ChwaliszRob Leverenz

Steve NoskowiczDale ThurowCarol White

Challenger wins Spirit of Flight AwardChallenger Learning Center

for Science & Technology is the 2014 Spirit of Flight award winner. The award, the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame’s highest honor, is given annually to an organization that has made a substantial contribution to aviation in Illinois over a long period of time.

CLCST was recognized for its simulated space missions that include several weeks of intensive classroom activities, monthly Family Science Nights and summer programs for children from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Carol Para, president of the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame said, “The Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame salutes Challenger Learning Center of Woodstock for its efforts in educating area teachers and students and in rekindling interest in fl ight and space exploration.”

In receiving the award in May at the association’s conference in Collinsville, CLCST executive director Chantel Madson said, “I am grateful we were recognized for inspiring youth through the STEM education foundation of our programs.” She also saluted CLCST’s staff and volunteers for their passion and dedication.

Walt Kessler, Hampshire, who has watched the center grow from its founding in 2001, nominated the center for the award.

Among the previous winners of the Spirit of Flight award are the Tuskegee Airmen of Chicago, Lewis University Aviation Department and Illinois Flying Farmers.

For more information, visit www.ilavhalloffame.org/spirit2012.htm.

By remembering the Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology in your will or while planning your estate, you can leave a lasting legacy to children and the future of the United States. For Information, call Chantel at 815-338-7722 or email cmadson@challengerillinois.org.

Make a lasting legacy...

THE COMMUNICATOR, Fall 2014 3

Challenger Learning Center makes a differenceWoodstock’s Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology is one of two Challenger

centers in the Illinois and one of more than 40 centers in the United States. There also are centers in the United Kingdom, South Korea and Canada. CLCST offers a variety of programs. The core program is offered nearly everyday of the school year to elementary and middle-school students and their teachers. It includes classroom science and math sessions, culminating with a day at CLCST that includes a simulated space mission and learning experiences in the center’s EdVenture Center.

In addition, CLCST offers the two new public programs featured on page 1, monthly Family Science Nights, Scout badge workshops, group missions, summer camps and birthday parties. During the 2013-14 year, CLCST inspired:

• 7,617 STUDENTS from 110 schools in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin who fl ew 300 simulated missions. They were accompanied by 1,898 TEACHERS AND CHAPERONES;

• 220 STUDENTS, ages 4 to 18, who attended Family Science Nights; and• 129 CAMPERS, ages 6 to 13, who attended summer camp.

Even more youth will experience CLCST during the 2014-15 school year. As of Oct. 1, 312 school missions had been booked.

For information or to book a mission or register for a program, call CLCST at 815-338-7722.

Astronaut Scott Parazynski visits CLCST

Former NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski made a special visit to CLCST in June. Sixth-grade students from Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb were visiting and were given the unparalleled opportunity to ask the former astronaut questions.

The questions covered a wide variety of topics, from what it was like to live and work in space to Dr. Parazynski’s other accomplishments, such as climbing Mt. Everest. Dr. Parazynski also toured the center, so he saw the students fl y their own simulated space mission.

Dr. Parazynski serves as director and chief medical offi cer of University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He also serves on the board of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, the parent organization of the Challenger network.

United Way of Greater McHenry County coordinated Dr. Parazynski’s visit.

NEW PROGRAMSContinued on page 3

• Engineering Adventures is for sixth- to eighth-graders. The two-day program will be offered four times during the 2014-2015 school year – twice during winter break and twice during spring break. Students who participate in Engineering Adventures will learn about and work with simple machines, electricity and structures. They will complete design challenges, build their own circuits from everyday materials and design their own functioning hydropower plant.

What: Engineering Adventures Ages: 6th to 8th gradersCost: $100 per student per two-day

session. Preregistration is required, and a 50 percent nonrefundable deposit is due at the time of registration. The balance is due on the fi rst day of the selected session.

When: Dec. 22 and 23; Dec. 29 and 30; March 23 and 24;

March 26 and 27 Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day

Club Challenger and Engineering Adventures are being made possible in part due to a distribution from the McHenry County Community Foundation.

CLCST purchased the new Next Generation Probe from Challenger National. The new state-of-the-art probe was tested over the past two years by four Challenger centers in the network.

The new probe is compatible with CLCST’s existing 21st century platform and will be compatible with the new Sim3 platform (coming soon). The purchase of the probe is an important milestone in our commitment to enhance the student learning experience during our STEM-based simulated space missions. The Next Generation Probe is a quantum leap forward in quality and functionality from its predecessor. CLCST expects the new probe to be installed and operational by the beginning of December 2014. The $12,000 probe has a modern design, resilient construction, fl exible capabilities and remains our hands-on, highly tactile mission centerpiece.

CLCST PURCHASESNEXT GENERATION PROBE

4 THE COMMUNICATOR, Spring 2014

2014 COSMIC CAMPS:LOTS OF FUN AND LEARNING

More than 120 children participated in CLCST’s Summer Space Adventures camps this summer. Thirteen camp sessions were offered from June through August with six different camps to choose from. Budding young scientists participated in the Star Voyagers camp, while older aspiring scientists attended the week-long Cosmic Camp. Young people interested in rocketry and fl ight attended Rocketry I and Rocketry II camps, and students who wanted to know all about the Red Planet signed up for Mars Mania. Day-long Battlebots camps fi lled with campers who wanted a taste of robotics! Campers came from across the northern Illinois/southern Wisconsin area.

Some of the highlights from camp this year included launching rockets at Raintree Park, fl ying simulated space missions to Mars, building Mars habitats and rendezvousing with a comet.

“My favorite part about all the summer camps was what the children and even I took home from it,” summer camp teacher Tasha Mackenzie said. “They took home something which will last them a lifetime - the new knowledge they packed into their brains!” She added her most memorable experience of camp occurred when a camper announced to her that he wanted to move to Woodstock “so I’m closer to the Challenger!”

Summer Space Adventures 2015 will be announced on our website www.challengerillinois.org in December – just in time for the holidays! A camp registration is a wonderful gift for any young scientist, astronomer or future astronaut.

CLCST PROGRAMS ALIGN WITH NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS

Since the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in Illinois, CLCST staff has been working to make sure all programs are properly aligned with them.

Over the summer, staff worked on aligning our simulated missions to the new science and engineering practices, as well as to certain disciplinary core ideas. Challenger’s Rendezvous with a Comet mission aligns with disciplinary core ideas that are found in the fi fth-grade standards, while the Voyage to Mars mission aligns to the disciplinary core ideas found in the sixth- through eighth-grade standards.

This fall, staff will begin work on aligning all of EdVenture Center stations to comply with NGSS. Meeting our alignment goals will mean teachers will be able to utilize our facility and our website as a resource when it comes to the NGSS.

Further information about NGSS and how CLCST programs align visit www.challengerillinois.org.

teach real peace in this world and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.”

It was a seamless transition for Cheryl to come to CLCST after teaching at CLMS, because she values and embraces CLCST’s founding premise of inspiring students to be independent learners through a hands-on approach. She says the most memorable part of her fi rst days at CLCST were the looks of awe on the students’ faces when they came through the front doors, and when one young student exclaimed, “It even smells like space!” Cheryl’s goal is to ignite a love of learning and independence in all the students she has the pleasure of working with at CLCST.

This fall, Cheryl has been instrumental in the lift off of the 2014-2015 new school programs. She looks forward to mornings when she dons her blue fl ight suit and becomes Commander Cheryl in preparation for taking students to Mars or to rendezvous with a comet. She is an ardent proponent of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) experiences students engage in while participating in CLCST’s simulated missions.

She says, “The Challenger Learning Center is yet another place that makes Woodstock a wonderful place to live and raise a family.”

CHERYL COX(Continued from page 1)

THE COMMUNICATOR, Spring 2014 5

FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHTSFamily Science Nights are scheduled during the school year for students and parents who would like to add a dash of science to their lives! The programs are one Friday of the months from October to June. The cost is $12 per participant, and pizza is provided at the start of the event. Family Science Nights are from 6 to 8 p.m.

Payment in full is required at the time of registration. Registrations can be made a www.challengerillinois.org or by calling 815-338-7722. Payments are nonrefundable except in the case of a program’s cancellation. Adults who are present with their children also must pay the registration fee.

BattlebotsFriday, Oct. 3 • Friday, Feb. 6Our most popular event returns! Families will be divided into teams. Their goals will be to design and build their very own robot, and then they will put it to the test in a competition.Ages: 3rd grade and older

Family Mission –Rendezvous with a CometFriday, Nov. 7 • Friday, March 13This Family Science Night is out of this world! Participants will go on a daring mission to take an up-close look at a comet as it streaks its way across the galaxy. Their goals will be to plot a successful course to rendezvous with the comet, launch a probe to collect scientifi c data of the object and keep the astronauts safe. They must construct the space probe while also plotting the correct intercept course and completing space station activities. What seems at fi rst to be a routine exploration is fi lled with challenges and emergencies, and each obstacle that stands in the way of the mission requires all participants to work together as a team to make the mission a success!Ages: 4th grade and older

Messy Science!Friday, Dec. 5 • Friday, May 1Our newest Family Science Night features hands-on activities that are fun for everyone! Join us as we experiment with Oobleck, make crazy putty and create our own lava lamps! And the best part is, you’ll get to take your creations home.

A Night With a Mad Scientist!Friday, April 3Join us for a night of spectacular science experiments! Families are invited to this open-house-style event to explore the science that is around us every day through fun, hands-on activities. Halfway through the event, CLC’s resident “Mad Scientist” will put on a series of amazing demonstrations! Parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and grandparents can work with their children to discover the wonders of science and perform experiments that they can do back at home!**Please Note: This event will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and no pizza will be served. Cost for A Night with a Mad Scientist is $5 per person when you preregister and $7 per person at the door.

Model RocketryFriday, June 5Join model rocket experts as they talk about the basics of rocketry! Each family will receive one model rocket and the supplies to build the rocket at the event. Extra rockets can be ordered in advance for an additional $5 per rocket. All rocket builders will be invited to bring their rockets to a future launch date with the Fox Valley Rocketeers.

Boy Scout Merit Badge WorkshopsBoy Scouts can earn their Space Exploration or Aviation merit badges in just one day! Workshops are offered on weekends during the school year or during the week in the summer. All workshops run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please visit www.challengerillinois.org or call 815-338-7722 for more information.

Birthday PartiesCelebrate your child’s birthday in a galactic way at the Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology. We offer three party options: • Spectacular Space Mission • Extreme Battlebots • Rip-Roaring Rocketry

Please visit www.challengerillinois.org or call 815-338-7722 for more information.

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDAlgonquin, ILPermit No. 13

222 Church StreetWoodstock, IL 60098

815.338.7722www.challengerillinois.org

Commander’s Mission LogW

e are over the moon excited for another phenomenal year at the Challenger Learning Center! Again this year we are truly thankful for the annual Frejd fund distribution administered by the M

cHenry County Community Foundation. This distribution helps us fund 40 missions annually, supports the salary of our full-time lead fl ight director and provides enhancement funds for our growing programs and EdVenture Center exhibit area.

Speaking of growing programs, be sure to check out our new Club Challenger and Engineering Adventures programs described on page 1. Along with growing our programs, we are positioning to move to a state-of-the-art simulation platform. O

ur fi rst purchase was the new probe. The next phase will be purchasing new computers and monitors in the Space Station and M

ission Control simulators, followed by a new Sim3 server and software, which will link us with Challenger N

ational. Sim3 will provide weekly updates to our mission software, which will keep our missions scientifi cally up-to-date. Please see page 3 for our upgrade wish list. All donations are greatly appreciated and essential to the growth of our STEM

programming.

Once again, I would like to sincerely thank the staff and volunteers

of CLCST and the visiting teachers and chaperones for providing ongoing inspiration and enthusiasm for the visiting students. W

ithout our staff and volunteers, we wouldn’t have achieved the Spirit of Flight Award, as well as the Certifi cate of Achievement award from Challenger N

ational for increasing our number of school missions by 10 percent in one year!

We will build on our achievements so the 2014-15 school year will be the

best in CLCST’s 13 years of inspiring students to achieve great things and work together in teams.

Come fl y with us!

Commander Chantel

CLCST STAFFChantel MadsonRebecca DolmonKathy BrandweinCheryl CoxLeeAnn GillTasha MacKenzieSherry MesickEvelyn PalekBrigitte RedmanPaula Young

The Challenger Learning Center is more than an extension of the classroom. It is “all-inclusive education!” It is the total package of what education is all about. At the Challenger Learning Center, my students not only recognize their STEM skills, but become confi dent in using these

skills. All learning styles benefi t from a trip to the Challenger.

Our students have also had the amazing opportunity to talk directly to NASA employees in the Mission to Mars Program!

My favorite part is listening to the “sound of learning” as they work together tosolve problems! Discovery has no boundaries at the Challenger Learning Center.– Julie Rohl, Rockford Christian Middle School.