Challenger Learning Center Leaders Discuss New STEM Facility and Regional Student Challenge on WEIS
Centre- Representatives of the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama visited the WEIS Radio studio Thursday morning, March 12, to discuss progress on the region’s newest STEM education facility and to announce a regional academic challenge designed to engage middle school students in exploring America’s most influential scientific and technological innovations.
Dr. Martha Lavender and Dr. Teresa Rhea joined the morning program to talk about the excitement building around the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama as the facility moves closer to opening. They said the building itself is impressive and that programming is already being installed and tested as preparations continue for full operations.
According to Lavender and Rhea, the center’s mission simulator has already been installed and students have begun practicing simulated missions. The simulator is designed to recreate the experience of working aboard a spacecraft, allowing students to participate in hands-on scientific experiments and mission-based problem-solving.
They described the simulator as an immersive experience that makes participants feel as though they are actually on a spacecraft while conducting experiments and completing mission tasks.
The facility also includes a STEM center on the opposite side of the building that will host additional educational programming. Plans include interactive learning opportunities, virtual reality experiences and other hands-on activities aimed at sparking interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Lavender and Rhea said they are thrilled with the progress being made at the center and noted the project has exceeded expectations so far. They also emphasized the collaborative effort behind the project, which has involved the work of a 15-member board along with support from community partners and local leaders.
The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama is a state-of-the-art STEM education facility located at 1986 Challenger Way in Rainbow City. The center is part of the global Challenger Center network, an organization founded by the families of the Space Shuttle Challenger crew to honor the legacy of the astronauts through education and inspiration.
The Rainbow City facility will be the only Challenger Learning Center in the state of Alabama and is designed to serve students across 12 counties in Northeast Alabama, including Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Marshall, Randolph, Talladega and St. Clair counties.
Programs at the center focus on immersive learning experiences using a NASA-style mission simulator and Mission Control room. Students take on specific roles during simulated space missions, working together to solve problems and complete objectives while learning critical thinking, teamwork and scientific reasoning.
The center’s programs align with Alabama’s math and science standards and are designed to strengthen STEM education across the region. Another major goal is to help build a stronger workforce pipeline by encouraging students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
Lavender and Rhea said the idea behind the project was to provide a resource that supports schools while also helping address workforce needs in the region. They noted that the center is already drawing attention beyond Alabama, with groups from other states asking about visiting once the facility opens.
The center broke ground in September 2024, and construction and programming work continued throughout 2025. As of early 2026, the facility is preparing for its grand opening.
During the interview, Lavender and Rhea also discussed a new academic competition that will give middle school students an opportunity to showcase their research and analytical skills while exploring the history of American innovation.
The competition is being launched in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Students in grades five and six across the center’s 12-county service area are invited to identify what they believe is the greatest American STEM invention or innovation of the past 250 years.
Participants will research American contributions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, choose the invention or innovation they consider most significant and defend their selection using three well-reasoned justifications.
The challenge is open to students attending public schools, private schools and those who are homeschooled. Each student may submit one entry, while schools may submit an unlimited number of individual student entries.
The goal of the competition is to encourage critical thinking, research and writing skills while prompting students to reflect on the discoveries and innovations that have shaped modern society.
Students will also have the opportunity to learn more about American history and how scientific and technological progress has influenced the nation and the world.
Lavender and Rhea said the idea behind the challenge is to give students the freedom to explore the question and develop their own ideas about which invention has had the greatest impact. There is no single correct answer, and students are encouraged to research, think critically and present their reasoning in writing.
The competition is also designed to support classroom learning by giving teachers a way to incorporate discussions about innovation, history and STEM development into their lessons.
A panel of judges will review submissions once the entry period closes. Organizers plan to assemble a group of judges primarily made up of retired teachers who will review and evaluate the student submissions in clusters to ensure fair and thoughtful scoring.
Eight winners will be selected across four STEM categories — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in both the fifth and sixth grade divisions.
Each winner will receive a $50 prize and will be recognized during the Rainbow City Drone Show on June 27, 2026, at the Challenger Learning Center booth. Winners will also receive a special tour of the facility.
Student submissions must be received by May 21 in order to allow time for judging and recognition ahead of Independence Day celebrations tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Information about the competition, including rules and submission procedures, is available at the Challenger Learning Center website at challengeral.org. Questions about the competition can also be submitted by email to STEM250@challenger.AL.org.
Lavender and Rhea said they are excited about the future of the center and the opportunities it will provide for students across Northeast Alabama as it prepares to launch programs and welcome participants from throughout the region. 🚀
You can listen to the entire interview here:
