Challenger Center Granted $45K for Programming

The Challenger Learning Center, which has a partnership with the Ferguson-Florissant School District, recently received a total of $45,000 in grants that will aid student and teacher programs for the center.

Express Script Foundations, Girls Inc. of St. Louis and the Missouri Space Grant Consortium each provided $15,000 to the learning center through their respective programs and partnerships. The learning center provides simulated space missions and also provides education in science, technology, engineering and math as well as team-building and critical thinking.

“The Express Scripts Foundation supports efforts that will help educate and inspire future generation of scientists to use critical thinking to help improve our community,” Susan Stith, Sr. Director, Diversity and Inclusion, said in a news release.

Tasmyn Scarl Front, director of the Challenger Learning Center, said that the grants would allow more students in the St. Louis region to be served and provides a greater emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. 

"Project Earth: A Prescription for a Healthy Planet," which is a program funded by the Express Scripts Foundation, provided $15,000 to hold a professional development workshop for teachers and a planetarium program for five area schools, according to a news release. Schools and teachers will be identified later and schools in the North County area will have a particular emphasis.

"Girls Rock-It in Science," which is a program funded by Express Scripts Foundation through a collaboration with Girls Inc., will provide a grant for interactive space programs for participating students of Girls Inc. More than 300 girls, between the ages of 6 and 12, will get the opportunity to participate in space missions, workshops and Planetarium programs.

 “We are pleased to continue our support to the Challenger Learning Center and Girls Inc., whose innovative programs provide meaningful experiences for both students and teachers,” Sith said.

Front said that the center currently serves 15,000 students in the St. Louis area annually.