News Release
For immediate release
Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Angie Tene
300 N. Lee St., Suite 301
Alexandria, VA 22314
atenne@challenger.org
+1-800-969-5747
Challenger Center Announces New Leadership Team
Board of Directors positions organization for greater student impact and significant growth as it enters its 26th year of space science learning service
Dr. Scott Parazynski, chairman of Challenger Center for Space Science Education (Challenger Center), today announced a new leadership team for the non-profit organization with Dr. Lance Bush as President and Chief Executive Officer and Steven Kussmann as Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Bush is currently the Chief Strategic Officer and head of the Washington office of Paragon Space Development Corporation. Kussmann is currently Challenger Center's Director of Operations. Both will assume their new positions January 2, 2012.
Dr. Bush brings more than 25 years of leadership, aerospace industry experience and entrepreneurial talent to Challenger Center. His broad experience in Washington and within the space community includes nearly 20 years of service with NASA and at NASA Headquarters in a role spanning human spaceflight, life sciences, commercialization and international relations. Mr. Kussmann, who joined Challenger Center in April 2011, brings more than 25 years of non-profit management and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education experience to his new leadership role.
"We are thrilled to have Dr. Bush as our new President and CEO," said Dr. Parazynski, chairman of Challenger Center's board of directors and a former NASA astronaut. "Lance is an exceptional leader, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the aerospace, space science and non-profit sectors. He is a natural fit for our senior management team, and we are delighted to have him at the Challenger Center helm as we launch a significant expansion of our STEM education mission and work with our network of Challenger Learning Centers to achieve new heights."
"The Challenger Center family is proud of its accomplishments over the last 25 years, but our greatest achievements are yet to come," said Dr. Parazynski. "The selection of our new leadership team followed a deliberative process by the board of directors, and it signifies that Challenger Center will play an even greater role in ensuring America's dominance in science, engineering, and innovation."
"Inspiration, education, innovation, and leadership are hallmarks of our nation's greatness, and they are what Challenger Center did during its first 25 year of service and will continue to do in the future," said Dr. Bush. "It is a great honor to be selected as Challenger Center's new President and CEO, and I look forward to working with our extensive STEM education team of staff members, our Challenger Learning Center educators, friends and volunteers to grow the organization. We must strengthen our nation by building and applying the scientific knowledge that drives innovation, industry, and the human spirit, all of which starts with our school children."
"We are delighted to have Lance and Steve leading Challenger Center," said Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, founding chair of Challenger Center and widow of Dick Scobee, commander of the Challenger STS 51-L mission. "With this superb team in place, Challenger Center will play a vital, growing, and pivotal role in STEM learning achievement in the new era of space exploration."
Based on Challenger Center's new five-year strategic plan, the organization will expand its widely-heralded immersive, hands-on spaceflight simulations offered at its Challenger Learning Centers. While the current missions will continue to be hallmarks of the student experience, Challenger Center will create new missions and technologies to address the future of space exploration and the Next Generation Science Standards.
"Challenger Center's unique, hands-on participatory exploration missions to deep space, beneath our oceans, to the polar icecaps and inside the human body will inspire scientific literacy for millions of children while encouraging the pursuit of exciting, meaningful STEM careers for many of our 'crewmembers'," said Dr. Parazynski.
"Challenger Center's future will be built upon its existing partnerships with the education community and the aerospace and technology industries and among its new strategic partners," said Dr. Parazynski. "With private sector support, it will ensure its missions and learning activities continue to introduce students to state-of-the-art space science. It also will increase awareness of its services among students, teachers and parents, and bolster the capacities of its Challenger Learning Centers for engaging and exciting children about exploration -- on and off the planet."
About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and its international network of 47 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students' expectations of success, fosters a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspires students to pursue studies and careers in these areas. Challenger Center's network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea reach more than 400,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs, and engage over 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops and other programs. To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education, visit www.challenger.org.
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Challenger Center Announces New Leadership Team
Exciting Interactive Series Features Astronaut Captain Jim Lovell
News Release
For immediate release
Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Steve Kussmann
300 N. Lee St., Suite 301
Alexandria, VA 22314
info@challenger.org
+1-800-969-5747
Exciting Interactive Series Features Astronaut Captain Jim Lovell
Live astronaut webcast on Wednesday, December 7, at 12:00pm EST
ALEXANDRIA, VA - Join Challenger Center for Space Science Education on Wednesday December 7, 2011, 12:00pm (Eastern Time) for an interactive webcast with former NASA Astronaut, Captain James Lovell. The interview is part of an exciting series of interactive webcasts celebrating the 25th anniversary of Challenger Center's educational programs. Each month during the 25th anniversary year, Challenger Center will feature an astronaut, as the guest of a live webcast, with an opportunity for the public to ask questions. Captain Lovell will discuss his experiences as an astronaut and answer questions during the live webcast. No registration is required and the webcast is free. To join the webcast, visit http://webcast.challenger.org.
You may submit questions ahead of time via email to web_cast@challenger.org, or use the instant message feature during the live webcast. Adobe Flash Player is required to participate and view the webcast. A new web environment will open on your computer with a chat interface to ask questions.
December Featured Guest Background:
Captain James Lovell, Jr. (US Navy, Ret.) was chosen as an astronaut in 1962, following extensive experience as a naval aviator and test pilot. He went on to build a distinguished NASA career, serving as pilot on the history-making Gemini 7 flight in 1965 with Command Pilot Frank Borman. This flight set an endurance record of fourteen days in space, and also was the target vehicle for the first space rendezvous with Gemini 6A. He was also the Commander of the Gemini 12 spacecraft in November 1966 with Pilot Buzz Aldrin.
Lovell was the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 8 with Commander Frank Borman and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders. They launched on December 21, 1968, becoming the first men to travel to the Moon. Lovell served as the navigator, using a sextant to determine position by measuring star positions. The craft entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve and made ten orbits over twenty hours. They broadcast television pictures of the lunar surface back to Earth, and Lovell took his turn reading a passage from the Book of Genesis. They began their return to Earth on Christmas Day with a rocket burn made on the Moon's far side, out of radio contact with Earth. When contact was re-established, Lovell was the first to announce the good news, "Please be informed, there is a Santa Claus." The crew splashed down safely on December 27.
Lovell is best known as the Commander of the now legendary Apollo 13 mission with pilots Jack Swigert and Fred Haise. The Apollo 13 mission suffered a critical failure en route to the Moon but was brought back safely to Earth by the efforts of the crew and mission control. Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth on April Lovell is a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is one of only 24 people to have flown to the Moon, the first of only three people to fly to the Moon twice. Lovell was also the first person to fly in space four times.
About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and its international network of 48 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students' expectations of success, fosters a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspires students to pursue studies and careers in these areas. Challenger Center's network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea reach more than 400,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs, and engage over 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops and other programs. To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education, visit www.challenger.org.
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Live Challenger Center Webcast with NASA's Troy Cline from the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission
Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Steve Kussmann
300 N. Lee St., Suite 301
Alexandria, VA 22314
info@challenger.org
+1-800-969-5747
Join Challenger Center for Space Science Education on Thursday December 1st, 2011, 10:00am (Eastern Time) for an interactive webcast with Education and Public Outreach (EPO) Lead, Troy Cline from the NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) live from Browne Academy in Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Cline, will share information about the most recent NASA EPO programs and activities including LEGO, paper, and edible models of the MMS spacecraft, virtual environments, NASA Edge Video Podcasting, the NASA Mathematics Educator's Guide, the NASA Space Weather Media Viewer, the NASA Sun-Earth Day program. Mr. Cline will answer questions from online participants and students at the Academy during the live webcast. No registration is required and the webcast is free. To join the webcast, visit webcast.challenger.org.
You may submit questions ahead of time via email to web_cast@challenger.org, or use theinstant message feature during the live webcast. Adobe Flash Player is required to participate and view the webcast. A new web environment will open on your computer with a chat interface to ask questions.
Featured Guest Background:
Troy Cline is the Education and Public Outreach (EPO) Lead for NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS). Mr. Cline's responsibilities include planning, coordinating, implementing and managing the MMS mission's outreach activities to meet NASA's EPO goals and guidelines. Mr. Cline also serves as the Educational Technology Integration Specialist for NASA's Sun-Earth Day and Space Weather Action Center programs. Mr. Cline provides ongoing educational technology support and leadership in the development and distribution of educational programs and materials reaching over 50 million people worldwide.
During Mr. Cline's time at NASA, he has initiated and maintained the formal development of new research based approaches to educational technology integration within Heliophysics education. Heliophysics is the exploration of the Sun, its effects on Earth and the planets of the solar system, and space environmental conditions and their evolution. Mr. Cline's team approach led to the development of a new Heliophysics education program that allows students to create Space Weather Action Centers in their schools. These centers encourage students to collect Space Weather data from existing resources, analyze that data and deliver an inexpensive video report on space weather and/or mission science. Mr. Cline continues to lead his team in social media integration, applications, and in the development of new podcasting programs. To see a Challenger Center student video report visit: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=opaMv5t9hnk&noredirect=1.
About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and its international network of 48 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students' expectations of success, fosters a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspires students to pursue studies and careers in these areas. Challenger Center's network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea reach more than 400,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs, and engage over 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops and other programs. To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education, visit www.challenger.org.
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A Lesson In Aviation and Technology
By Stephanie Roth
Posted: October 20, 2011
Scores of volunteers from the FAA, various DOT modes and the military, organized and ran the 5th annual Garrett A. Morgan showcase that attracted more than 500 students from 11 schools in the Washington, D.C. metro area on Oct.4. The event was held in conjunction with the Air Traffic Controllers Association (ATCA) national conference in the nation’s capital. 
FAA Garrett Morgan volunteers Cyril Shepherd (left in red shirt) and Denise Davis (in red shirt) with students from Bates Middle School, Annapolis, MD, and a talking robot from Lockheed Martin that helps control air traffic and build space shuttles. According to the students, the robot was very funny and entertaining. (All Photos Courtesy of FAA.)
“It's our privilege to invite local private and public schools, work with teachers, develop a hands on ‘youth day,’ and get invited back year after year by the ATCA team,” said Dr. Belinda Bender, who was among some 100 FAA volunteers who participated in the event.
The DOT program is named after Morgan, an African American who invented the traffic signal. The event highlighted science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
“This was the best field trip ever,” said a student from Browne Academy in Alexandria, VA, as he stepped on the bus to return to school. One of the exhibits he visited was the popular hands-on FAA Command and Control Communications program, which provides secure and reliable communications during national disasters, terrorist threats and national security events. The students also wrote and edited their own newsletter of the event. Each school typically sends up to three reporters to the conference. Hazel Ware from Potomac Heights Christian Academy in Indian Hill, MD, said that attending the conference “opened my eyes” to new opportunities, and gave her a clear view of areas she might wish to pursue. 
Pilots, flight attendants, flight crew technicians, engineers, logistics and transportation specialists, and mechanics from Bolling and Andrews Air Force bases are among the more than 350 military personnel that have helped chaperone the students for FAA’s Garrett Morgan events over the years.
Former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater founded the program as a national education initiative in 1997, and Congress raised it to a new level when it authorized establishment as the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program funding as part of SAFETEA-LU. Since then it has introduced more than 100,000 students from the Washington, D.C. area to the world of aviation and technology. The ACTA showcase, however, receives no funding from the program and volunteers use their own leave time to participate.
During the showcase, Randall P. Burdette, Director of Aviation for the State of Virginia, presented Presidential Awards for their support of the Garrett A. Morgan program to Richard Jones from Up to 21st Century, Commander Carlos Nunez from the Challenger Center, and Air Traffic Control Association staffers Pete Dumont, Claire Rusk and Ken Carlisle.
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and other companies that work closely with the aviation and transportation industry promoted transportation careers, co-op agreements, scholarships, tuition assistance and potential internships on site.
Students learned about Newton’s law of gravity from Bufkin Fairchild, FAA Aviation Safety Inspector while FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist Ardyth Williams spoke of unmanned aerial systems. Joe Adhoot, from Metron Aviation, rounded out the program with an inspiring presentation about “how opportunity is made.” 
FAA volunteers with students from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, from left
Valerie Cook, Cyril Shepherd, Denise Davis and Cheryl Veney.
Contributing: Belinda Bender
Federal Aviation Administration
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Live Astronaut Webcast Thursday, November 10, 2011, 1:00 pm EST
News Release
For immediate release
Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Steve Kussmann
300 N. Lee St., Suite 301
Alexandria, VA 22314
info@challenger.org
+1-800-969-5747
Live Astronaut Webcast Thursday, November 10, 2011, 1:00 pm EST
Exciting interactive series features Astronaut Frederick Gregory
ALEXANDRIA, VA - Join Challenger Center for Space Science Education on Thursday November 10th, 2011 at 1:00pm (Eastern Time) for a live interactive webcast with former NASA astronaut Frederick Gregory. The interview is part of an exciting series of interactive webcasts celebrating the 25th anniversary of Challenger Center's educational programs. Each month during the 25th anniversary year, Challenger Center will feature an astronaut, as the guest of a live webcast, with an opportunity for the public to ask questions. Colonel (USAF, Ret.) Frederick Gregory will discuss his experiences as a Shuttle astronaut and answer questions during the live webcast. No registration is required and the webcast is free. To join the webcast, visit http://webcast.challenger.org.
You may submit questions at: http://www.challenger.org/25 or by email to 25@challenger.org, or use the instant message feature during the live webcast. Adobe Flash Player is required to participate and view the webcast. A new web environment will open on your computer with a chat interface to ask questions.
November Featured Astronaut Background:
Colonel (USAF, Ret.) Frederick Gregory attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School, graduating in 1971, and was an operational test pilot - flying fighter planes and helicopters. He served as a research test pilot at NASA's Langley Research Center, Virginia and until selected for the Astronaut Program in 1978. Gregory has logged more than 6,976 hours flying time in over 50 types of aircraft -- including 550 combat missions in Vietnam. He was selected as an astronaut in 1978. As veteran of three Shuttle missions, Colonel Gregory has logged over 455 hours in space. Colonel Gregory served as pilot on STS-51B, and was the Commander on STS-33, and STS-44. Colonel Gregory served at NASA Headquarters as Associate Administrator for the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (1992-2001), Associate Administrator for the Office of Space Flight (2001-2002), and NASA Deputy Administrator (2002-2005).
About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and its international network of 48 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students' expectations of success, fosters a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspires students to pursue studies and careers in these areas. Challenger Center's network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea reach more than 400,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs, and engage over 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops and other programs. To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education, visit www.challenger.org.
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Interview with former astronaut Scott Parazynski
Former Astronaut and Challenger Center's Chairman of the Board Scott Parazynski discussed space exploration and role of Challenger Center in promoting STEM at AOPA. Read more...
Live Astronaut Webcast Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 1:00pm EDT
News Release
For immediate release
Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Steve Kussmann
300 N. Lee St., Suite 301
Alexandria, VA 22314
info@challenger.org
+1-800-969-5747
Live Astronaut Webcast Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 1:00pm EDT
Exciting interactive series features astronaut Dr. Thomas Jones
ALEXANDRIA, VA - Join Challenger Center for Space Science Education for a live interactive webcast with former NASA Astronaut, Dr. Thomas Jones, on Tuesday, October 25th, 2011, 1:00pm (Eastern Time). The interview is part of an exciting series of interactive webcasts celebrating the 25th anniversary of Challenger Center's educational programs. Each month during the 25th anniversary year, Challenger Center will feature an astronaut, as the guest of a live webcast, with an opportunity for the public to ask questions. Dr. Jones will discuss his experiences as a Shuttle astronaut and answer questions during the live webcast. No registration is required and the webcast is free. To join the webcast, visit http://webcast.challenger.org.
You may submit questions at: http://www.challenger.org/25 or by email to 25@challenger.org, or use the instant message feature during the live webcast. Adobe Flash Player is required to participate and view the webcast. A new web environment will open on your computer with a chat interface to ask questions.
October Featured Astronaut Background:
Dr. Thomas Jones became an astronaut in July 1991. In 1994, Dr. Jones flew as a mission specialist on successive flights of space shuttle Endeavour. First, in April 1994, Dr. Jones ran science operations on the "night shift" during STS-59, the first flight of the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL-1). Then, in October 1994, Dr. Jones was the payload commander on the SRL-2 mission, STS-68. Dr. Jones next flew in late 1996 on Columbia. Mission STS-80 successfully deployed and retrieved 2 science satellites. While helping set a Shuttle endurance record of nearly 18 days in orbit, Dr. Jones used Columbia's robot arm to release the Wake Shield satellite and later grapple it from orbit. Dr. Jones' latest space flight was aboard Atlantis on STS-98, in February 2001. Dr. Jones and his crew delivered the U.S. Destiny Laboratory Module to the Space Station, and he helped install the Lab in a series of 3 space walks lasting over 19 hours. The successful addition of Destiny gave the first Expedition Crew the largest space outpost in history and marked the start of onboard scientific research at the ISS. A veteran of four space flights, Dr. Jones has logged over 52 days (1,272 hours) in space, including 3 space walks totaling over 19 hours. Dr. Jones graduated from Kenwood Senior High School, Essex, Maryland, in 1973; received a Bachelor of Science degree in basic sciences from the United States Air Force (USAF) Academy in Colorado Springs in 1977, and a doctorate in planetary science from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1988. He was also an Eagle Scout.
About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and its international network of 48 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students' expectations of success, fosters a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspires students to pursue studies and careers in these areas. Challenger Center's network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea reach more than 400,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs, and engage over 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops and other programs. To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education, visit www.challenger.org.
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Live Astronaut Webcast Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 2:00 pm EDT
News Release
For immediate release
Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Steve Kussmann
300 N. Lee St., Suite 301
Alexandria, VA 22314
info@challenger.org
+1-800-969-5747
Live Astronaut Webcast Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 2:00 pm EDT
Exciting interactive series features astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris
ALEXANDRIA, VA - Join Challenger Center for Space Science Education on Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 at 2:00pmEDT for a talk with former NASA Astronaut, Dr. Bernard Harris.
The live interactive webcast is open to the general public and is part of an exciting series of interactive webcasts celebrating the 25th anniversary of Challenger Center's educational programs. Each month during the 25th anniversary year, Challenger Center features an astronaut, as the guest of a live webcast, with an opportunity for the public to ask questions. Dr. Harris will discuss his experiences as a Shuttle astronaut, his work with The Harris Foundation, and will answer questions during the live webcast. No registration is required and the webcast is free. To join the live webcast, or view archived webcasts, visit http://webcast.challenger.org.
Anyone may submit questions ahead of time at: http://www.challenger.org/25 or by sending an e-mail to25@challenger.org, or just use theinstant message feature during the live webcast. Adobe Flash Player is required to participate and view the webcast (a new web environment will open on your computer with a chat interface to ask questions).
September Featured Astronaut Background:
Dr. Bernard Harris completed his residency training in 1985 at the Mayo Clinic and then received a National Research Council Fellowship at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California. Dr. Harris was selected by NASA to be an astronaut in January, 1990. He served as the crew representative for Shuttle Software in the Astronaut Office Operations Development Branch. A veteran of two space flights, Dr. Harris has logged more than 438 hours in space. He served as mission specialist on STS-55 (April 26 to May 6, 1993), and was the Payload Commander on STS-63 (February 2-11, 1995). Since Dr. Harris left NASA in April 1996, he founded The Harris Foundation, a Houston, Texas-based non-profit organization, whose stated mission is to invest in community-based initiatives to support education, health and wealth. The Harris Foundation supports programs that empower individuals, in particular minorities and other economically and/or socially disadvantaged, to recognize their potential and pursue their dreams.
About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and its international network of 48 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students' expectations of success, fosters a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspires students to pursue studies and careers in these areas. Challenger Center's network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea reach more than 400,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs, and engage over 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops and other programs. To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education, visit www.challenger.org.
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Organizations Win CILC Pinnacle Awards for Content
Thirty-three providers across the United States and beyond earned a coveted Pinnacle Award for the 2010-2011 school year from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC), which helps schools by advancing learning through videoconferencing and other collaborative technologies.
The awards are presented annually to providers who post top-ranking programs to www.cilc.org for K-12 students or professional development of educators. These awards are based exclusively on feedback from teachers who have used the content in their classrooms or for their own professional advancement.
K-12 STUDENT CONTENT PINNACLE AWARDS
Recipients received a 2.85 average score out of a possible 3 on their program evaluations submitted by teachers and other end-users. The evaluation assesses seven areas: two related to the effectiveness of the presenter and five related to the educational content of the program. All content posted to www.cilc.org by Pinnacle Award winners is marked with the CILC flame to convey Pinnacle status.
“The number of providers earning the Pinnacle designation increased more than 15 percent over last year,” said Ruth E. Blankenbaker, CILC CEO. “It is exciting to see the momentum continue as the quality of videoconferencing programs for K-12 continues to get better and better.”
The award began in 2007-2008. Cultural organizations receiving a 2010-2011 CILC Pinnacle Award are:
Adventures In Medicine & Science (AIMS) Program of Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO - USA
Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, AK - USA
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor, MI - USA
Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta, GA - USA
CESA 7 Educational Technology Services, Green Bay, WI - USA
Challenger Learning Center, Brownsburg, IN - USA
Challenger Learning Center, Rochester, New York - USA
Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, OH
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, The Dalles, OR - USA
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH - USA Durham Museum, Omaha, NE - USA
East Central Ohio Educational Service Center, New Philadelphia, OH - USA
Frazier international History Museum, Louisville, KY - USA
Hank Fincken: A National Theatre Company of One, Indianapolis, IN - USA
Kigluait Educational Adventures, Talkeetna, AK - USA
Kings County Office of Education, Hanford, CA - USA
Lower East Side Tenement Museum, New York, NY - USA
Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN - USA
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Ft. Worth, TX - USA
Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH - USA
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, OH - USA
Reef HQ Aquarium (Australia), Townsville, Queensland - Australia
Roper Mountain Science Center, Greenville, SC - USA
Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario - Canada
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Drumheller, Alberta - Canada
Stark Parks, Canton, OH - USA
The Bathysphere Underwater Biological Laboratory, Rochester, NY - USA
The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts, Minneapolis, MN - USA
The Sheffield Museum of Rural Life, Sheffield, Ontario - Canada
An additional 25 content providers received Honorable Mention, which requires an average score of 2.8-2.84 out of a possible 3 on their program evaluations. Recipients of the award are:
Brad Tassell, Bowling Green, KY - USA
Born 2 Move Movement Adventures, Green Bay, WI - USA
Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH - USA
Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills, MI - USA
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Fort Worth, TX - USA
Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center, Glen Cove, NY - USA
Inner Asian & Uralic National Resource Center, Bloomington, IN - USA
InterLingo Spanish, Manizales, Caldas - Colombia
LEARNnco, Tiffin, OH - USA
Manhattan School of Music, New York, NY - USA
Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI - USA
Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL - USA
Mount Washington Observatory, North Conway, NH - USA
NASA’s Digital Learning Network (Ames Research Center), Moffett Field, CA - USA
NASA's Digital Learning Network, Kennedy Space Center, FL - USA
Oiada International, Newark, NJ - USA
Orange County Department of Education, Costa Mesa, CA - USA
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA - USA
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland, OH - USA
Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO - USA
Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, TN - USA
The National WWII Museum, New Orleans, LA - USA
The Paley Center for Media - New York, NY - USA
Valerie Marsh, Carmel, IN - USA
Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH - USA
“Because the Pinnacle is based on direct input from teachers who have experienced the programs first hand, it is highly credible,” said John Ittlelson, CILC board member and professor emeritus at Cal State University Monterey Bay. “When teachers are choosing content to use in their own classrooms, the Pinnacle designation is a helpful tool to aid in the selection process.”
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PINNACLE AWARDS
Four providers of professional development programs for educators have earned the coveted Pinnacle Award for the 2010-2011 school year from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC). The award is presented annually to providers who post top-ranking professional development content to www.cilc.org.
CILC Pinnacle Award-winning recipients received a 2.8 average score out of a possible 3 on their program evaluations submitted by teachers and other end-users. The evaluation assesses seven areas: two related to the effectiveness of the presenter and five related to the scope and effectiveness of the professional development program.
“We congratulate these professional development providers who are at the top of the list when it comes to presenting content via videoconferencing,” said Ruth E. Blankenbaker, CILC CEO. “Educators and school systems appreciate being able to access high-quality professional development programs through videoconferencing. The cost-savings and time-savings are very real.”
The award for professional development providers began in 2008-2009. Professional development providers receiving a 2010-2011 CILC Pinnacle Award are:
Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH - USA
Collaborative For Teaching and Learning (CLT), Louisville, KY - USA
Digital Journey-Howie DiBlasi, Georgetown, TX - USA
The National WWII Museum, New Orleans, LA - USA
An additional four professional development providers received Honorable Mention, which requires a score of 2.6-2.79 out of a possible 3 on their program evaluations. Recipients of the award are:
CILC Professional Development, Indianapolis, IN - USA
Jeff Harker, Greenfield, IN - USA
SOITA Learning Technologies, Franklin, OH - USA
NORT2H (Northern Ohio Research & Training Technology Hub), Elyria, OH - USA
“The CILC Pinnacle Award is based on direct input from teachers who have experienced the professional development programs first hand,” said Bernice Stafford, CILC board member and VP - Implementation & Education Partnerships at Evans Newton Incorporated. “When fellow teachers affirm the quality of a program by giving a top score, other teachers are sure to take note.”
About CILC
The Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC), established in 1994 as a not-for-profit, specializes in the access to applications and the utilization of video conferencing for live interactive content and professional development as well as web-based collaborative learning environments for K-20 education. CILC provides consulting expertise in video conferencing, integration, problem-based learning projects, school-community partnerships, and effective techniques for the delivery and development of quality programs. Visit www.cilc.org to explore the various providers of content and diversity of programs and trainings available.
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Davis Receives National Challenger Center Award
PADUCAH, KY - Ballard County native Sarah Davis recently was one of three recipients receiving 2011 Shining Star Awards at the Challenger Center’s Annual National Conference in Alexandria, VA.
Nearly 100 people attended the conference including personnel from over 30 Challenger Learning Centers, Challenger Alumni, donors and supporters, including Adm. Craig Steidle, President, Commercial Spaceflight Federation and Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger Space Shuttle Commander Dick Scobee.
Davis, an Administrative Assistant and gift shop manager at the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah, was recognized for her exemplary service and dedication for the betterment of the Challenger Learning Center. Davis has worked at the center located on the West Kentucky Community and Technical College campus since its opening nine years ago.
Mellisa Duncan, director of the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah, nominated Davis for the award noting her length of time at the center and how she has improved the process of registration of students, maintained contact with the school districts and other interested groups, developed the gift shop into an excellent facility, and assisted other staff members to make the center the success it is.
Davis graduated from WKCTC with an Associate in Applied Science degree in 2001.
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