Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama Announces Partnership with Etowah County Schools, Gadsden City Schools, and Attalla City Schools
Innovative STEM collaboration marks the first public school partnerships for the Center
Rainbow City, AL – October 15, 2025— Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama is proud to announce new partnerships with Etowah County Schools, Gadsden City Schools, and Attalla City Schools, marking the first formal collaborations between the Center and public school systems in the region. These partnerships—formalized through signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)—establish a shared commitment to expanding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education opportunities for students across Etowah County.
With the relationships established by the superintendents of the three Etowah County School Systems, school leaders can now begin the process of planning how their middle school students will participate in Challenger Learning Center’s immersive, space-themed and hands-on STEM learning experiences. These programs are designed to enhance classroom learning by providing real-world applications of science and engineering principles while fostering problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills.
“The partnerships with Etowah County Schools, Gadsden City Schools, and Attalla City Schools represent a major milestone in our mission to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators,” said Dr. Farrah Hayes, Executive Director of Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama. “By working hand-in-hand with our local school systems, we can connect classroom instruction to meaningful, applied STEM experiences that prepare students for the high-tech workforce of tomorrow.”
“Etowah County Schools is thrilled to be part of this regional STEM initiative,” said Dr. Alan Cosby, Superintendent of Etowah County Schools. “Our partnership with the Challenger Learning Center will provide students with a new way to connect and apply STEM concepts” commented Mr. Keith Blackwell, Superintendent of Gadsden City Schools. Mr. Jeff Colegrove, Superintendent of Attalla City Schools, notes that “This partnership reflects a shared goal of building a strong and sustainable STEM pipeline that supports economic growth and workforce readiness across Northeast Alabama”.
Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama aims to work collaboratively with teachers across the systems to transform the way middle school students engage with STEM subjects. Through dynamic, scenario-based simulations and engage in a jr. micro credential program that allows students to become active participants in their own learning. These experiences not only spark curiosity but also strengthen collaboration, communication, and decision-making skills. By connecting STEM concepts to real-world challenges, students gain confidence in their ability to solve problems creatively and see themselves as future innovators and leaders in the 21st-century workforce.
Currently, there are 33 centers in 27 states and 3 countries. The curriculum for each space mission is written by NASA and vetted against each state’s science and math curriculum to ensure relevance and continuity in education. This training augments the classroom by applying concepts and principles in an exciting, realistic space environment. Strong partnerships with K-12 are forged to ensure that attendance is equitable, distributed across school systems, and includes all students. As we work to diversify our workforce, we believe a Challenger Center will provide equal opportunity to young students who will be our future astronauts, engineers, pilots, healthcare workers, machinists, industrial analysts, electricians, etc.
Dr. Farrah Hayes
Executive Director, Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama
