The Challenger Center for Space Science Education (CCSSE) is an international not-for-profit organization with headquarters in metropolitan Washington, D.C. Using space as a theme and the power of simulations as a teaching tool, Challenger Center programs create an exciting cooperative learning environment that exposes students to the challenges and successes of teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making. This is our vision for the future - a global community where today's students are scientifically literate citizens. In this world, they command their own destinies by using higher order thinking skills, the fun of teamwork, and strong communication frameworks. Working as a team, accepting responsibility, experiencing shared trust, and building communication and problem-solving skills are lessons that can never be over emphasized by children or adults. This vision is based on realistic assessment of the skills needed for success in the next century. Challenger Centers throughout the nation are helping to turn this vision into reality.

Join us on this educational mission.

The Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center, a member of CCSSE, is a high-technology space mission simulator for promoting hands-on learning. Our Center provides on-site missions, teacher in-service training, and pre- and post-visit curriculum materials for classroom use. In short, the mission simulator allows students to apply Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and English Language Arts concepts to real-life situations and problems. In education, this is the right stuff. The Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center, a not-for-profit 501 3 (c) organization, is operated by a Board of Directors chaired by Anthony F. Santucci.

The Dream

Challenger Learning Centers are a living testimony to the dream of the Challenger astronauts. When the crew of the Challenger space shuttle perished on January 28, 1986; they were on a pioneering mission to extend the boundaries of human knowledge, to teach, and to inspire. Challenger Learning Centers located worldwide are continuing that mission by helping prepare students for life in the 21st Century.

Challenger Learning Center officials have created a positive experience that raises students' expectations of success and inspires them to pursue mathematics, science, and technology through participation in simulated space adventures.

The Idea

In June 1994, a Suffern High School project led by then senior Kristina Rodriquez proposed turning a vacant school building into a Challenger Learning Center. The concept lit a fire in the community resulting in approval to become one of the then 30 Challenger Learning Centers in North America, the second in New York State.

Milestones
August 1994	- Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center, Inc. founded
October 1994	- Franchise awarded to the LHVCC Foundation
November 1994	- Fundraising begins.
July 1996	- New York State awards $640,000 to the LHVCC Foundation
September 1998	- The LHVCC deeded land; ground-breaking begins
November 1999	- Grand Opening
June 2003	- 1000th School Mission.
May 2005	- 50,000th visitor
January 2006	- The LHVCC receives $91,000 grant from NASA
October 2006	- After-School robotics classes, and Rocket Club begin
January 2007	- The LHVCC Rocket Club awarded first Annual Apogee grant
June 2007	- 75,000th visitor
August 2007	- Educator Astronaut Barbara Morgan answers LHVCC camper's question from space