Community Programs
Looking for summer camp information?
Registration begins February 1, 2023!
STEM Squad
About
In an effort to expose rural area students to more NASA education programming, the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah (CLC) has received a TEAMII-CAAT grant award. This award designates the CLC as a NASA Community Anchor. The award enabled the CLC to create a new program called STEM Squad, targeting all area students in 5th-7th grades (any student in our area would be considered a rural student). STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. These students will be introduced to various NASA educational themes, programs and STEM curriculum. Thirty members were selected through an application process in September 2022.
Requirements
Challenger STEM Squad members are required to attend monthly meetings called Squad Summits (one virtual/one in-person, monthly) October 2022 through May 2023. Squad Summits include hands-on STEM lessons, NASA speakers, information and other thematic activities. In the summer of 2023 participants will choose a project to work on and present this project in August 2023 to the Squad.
If all requirements of assignments and attendance are met, members will attend the US Space & Rocket Center's Space Camp Titan Program* in September 2023. CLC Staff will be attending with participants and will sleep off-site. Participants will sleep in the Space Camp Habitat with Space Camp staff like all other students attending a program at Space Camp. The only cost to participants will be extra spending money. Room, board and travel are all provided through the grant and by CLC. After completion of the Titan Program, alumni will share out their experiences and be looked upon as leaders in STEM at the CLC. Alumni will be given opportunities to volunteer, help prepare for programs and other opportunities as they arise.
Summit Dates
- Space History
- October 13, 2022 (virtual)
- October 20, 2022 (in-person)
- Astronomy
- November 10, 2022 (virtual)
- November 17, 2022 (in-person)
- James Webb Space Telescope
- December 1, 2022 (virtual)
- December 15, 2022 (in-person)
- NASA Careers
- January 12, 2023 (virtual)
- January 26, 2023 (in-person)
- Mars
- February 9, 2023 (virtual)
- February 23, 2023 (in-person)
- International Space Station
- March 9, 2023 (virtual)
- March 23, 2023 (in-person)
- Earth Day
- April 13, 2023 (virtual)
- April 27, 2023 (in-person)
- Artemis Program
- May 11, 2023 (virtual)
- May 18, 2023 (in-person)
- Space Camp - Titan Program
- September 14-17, 2023 (USSRC)*
*The final decision of member eligibility to attend the Space Camp Titan Program is at the discretion of the CLC Director/Grant Principle Investigator.
Club Challenger
Registration for Fall 2022 is now closed! Check back in January for Spring 2023 details!
Explore the amazing wonders of science during our after school program, Club Challenger. Students will join us at the Challenger Learning Center once a month to participate in exciting, hands-on activities related to space and science.
September 13, 2022
Our Solar System
October 11, 2022
Halloween STEM
November 15, 2022 (joint w/Club B)
Turkey Challenge
December 6, 2022
Astronaut in Training
Early bird membership fee $40 (available 8.1.22-8.7.22)
Membership fee $45 (after 8.7.22)
Each session runs from 4:15 - 5:45 p.m.
September 20, 2022
Our Solar System
October 18, 2022
Halloween STEM
November 15, 2022 (joint w/Club A)
Turkey Challenge
December 13, 2022
Astronaut in Training
Early bird membership fee $40 (available 8.1.22-8.7.22)
Membership fee $45 (after 8.7.22)
Each session runs from 4:15 - 5:45 p.m.
Registraiton is now closed for Fall 2022.
Check back in January for Spring 2023 details.
General Refund Policy
- 100% refund - cancelations received at least 15 days prior to the program start date
- No refund - cancelations received within 15 days of the program start date
- Refunds are issued in the original form of payment.
- No refund on registration process fee.
- Refunds are issued to the original form of payment.
- Refunds are issued within 5-10 business days.
Summer Camp
Check back soon, registration for summer 2023 begins Ferbuary 1, 2023!
Scout Workshops
We offer programs for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts and customize programs for Bear Scouts, Webelos and Boy Scouts. Programs are geared towards earning space and science related badges. Customized program offerings and cost vary depending on the group.
Earn your Space Science Adventurer badge as you explore our solar system and beyond! Your session will include many hands-on activities about the planets, moon and the stars including a trip to our STARLAB planetarium. Fee includes badge. *This program will fulfill steps 1-4 of the badge requirements.
No events scheduled at this time.
Earn your Space Science Investigator badge as you travel through our solar system and beyond! Take a journey through the stars in our STARLAB planetarium and be a mission specialist during a Voyage to Mars in our hands-on space simulator. Fee includes badge. Evening snack and breakfast provided. *This program will fulfill steps 1-4 of the badge requirements.
No events scheduled at this time.
Check back again soon, no events scheduled at this time!
General Refund Policy
- 100% refund - cancelations received at least 15 days prior to the program start date
- No refund - cancelations received within 15 days of the program start date
- Refunds are issued in the original form of payment.
- No refund on registration process fee.
- Refunds are issued to the original form of payment.
- Refund are issued within 5-10 business days.
Programs and Presentations
The Challenger Learning Center at Paducah offers a variety of programs and presentations for people of all ages! Bring your group to the Challenger Learning Center, or let us come to you. Average fee is $75/hour for up to 30 students. Off-site programs may incur a travel fee.
- Library story hours
- Youth groups
- School clubs
- Scout groups
- Daycare programs
- Summer programs
- Community groups
- School presentations
- Living in space
- Rocketry
- Constellations
- Planets
- Planetarium show
- Anything space or STEM related!
Give us a call at (270) 534-3101 or send us an email at sarahj.davis@kctcs.edu
Trivia Night
February 3, 2023
Registraiton will begin January 3, 2023!
All proceeds benefit the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah. The Challenger Learning Center, located on the campus of West Kentucky Community & Technical College, is a non-profit organization that offers simulated space missions and hands-on STEM education to schools, corporations and community organizations.
West Kentucky
RCX Regional Tournament
March 10, 2023
Questions? Contact Mellisa Duncan • (270) 534-3097 • mellisa.duncan@kctcs.edu
