Community Programs
Summer camp 2023
Registration begins February 13, 2023!
These hands-on camps are centered around each topic listed below.
Space Animals
June 15, 2023
Space Art
June 22, 2023
Space Chef
July 13, 2023
Science Lab
July 20, 2023
*choose any number of sessions, either morning or afternoon
Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m. OR 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Cost: $20/session
This one-day camp includes many hands-on space and science activities centered around stars and constellations and includes a visit to our STARLAB.
June 13, June 20 or July 11, 2023
*choose only one date
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $35
This one-day camp includes many hands-on space and science activities centered around the planets and includes a visit to space in our simulator.
June 14, June 21 or July 12, 2023
*choose only one date
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $35
Using life, physical, earth and space sciences, participants will use LEGOs as they journey through building and programming robotic 3D models. This is the perfect first step for young robot experts in the making!
June 5-7, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $140
At secret agent training you will develop a disguise for cover, make and break codes, discover escape and evasion techniques, create and use spy gadgets and uncover the science behind spying.
June 20-21, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $100
Young Jedi will want to attend this special camp created just for them! Participate in activities and experiments, including light sabers and carbonite, based on the popular movie series.
June 12-13, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $100
Be the first human on Mars! Campers will travel to the Red Planet during a Voyage to Mars™ mission in our hands-on simulator. After arriving on Mars, they will build a life-size colony where they will live, work and train like real planetary astronauts.
June 6-8, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $140
Using space as a theme, master robotics systems created by LEGO! Campers will design, build and program their robotic creations to maneuver various space themed challenges on places like Mars!
July 10-12, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $150
Become a Challenger Special Investigator (CSI). Read the ransom note and follow the fingerprints, fibers and other clues. You will use your powers of observation and conduct scientific tests to help solve the mystery of the missing Mars rocks.
June 28-29, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $100
What makes an airplane fly? Learn the basics of flight and apply them in different hands-on activities and simulations. After you have shown the right stuff, take a flight in a real airplane departing from Midwest Aviation. While in the air you will become an actual pilot when you get to take the yoke and fly the plane.
July 17-19, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $195
Learn all about how astronauts train underwater to simulate working in space! Participants will learn the basics of astronaut training, neutral buoyancy, density and SCUBA. On the second day of camp we will travel to Mermet Springs where trainees will experience SCUBA one on one with a certified instructor. Participants must be able to swim and medically fit to dive. Scuba gear is provided.
June 26-27, 2023*
*Mandatory Meeting
Monday, May 15, 2023
Challenger Learning Center
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $150
Code a drone of your own! Drones are ever increasing in popularity for private use, but have you ever thought of all the things they are used for? Come join us to explore not only the fun side of drones, but also many other uses as well. Become a drone expert as you learn to program and fly drones!
7th-8th grade
May 31, 2023
9th-12th grade
June 1, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $40
Campers that attend full day camps must bring a lunch and drink from home. Snacks will be provided to those campers attending full day camps.
Camp t-shirts are $16.96 and must be ordered by April 24, 2023.
These shirts are available for purchase during the online registration process.
At this time, we do not have any camp scholarships available.
Click here.
General Refund Policy
- 100% refund - cancellations received at least 30 days prior to program start date
- 50% refund - cancellations received within 30 days of the program start date
- No refunds on camp t-shirts after 4/23/23.
- No refunds on registration process fee.
- If your child is sick and cannot attend camp, a doctors note must be provided for a full refund.
- Refunds are issued to the original form of payment.
- Refunds are issued within 5-10 business days.
Club Challenger
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.
February 7, 2023
Space Launch System
March 7, 2023
Marvelous Moon
April 11, 2023
Mysterious Mars
May 9, 2023
It's Electric!
Membership fee $50
Each session runs from 4:15 - 5:45 p.m.
February 14. 2023
Space Launch System
March 14, 2023
Marvelous Moon
April 25, 2023
Mysterious Mars
May 16, 2023
It's Electric!
Membership fee $50
Each session runs from 4:15 - 5:45 p.m.
Registration for Spring 2023 is now closed.
General Refund Policy
- 100% refund - cancellations received at least 15 days prior to the program start date
- No refund - cancellations received within 15 days of the program start date
- No refund - for missed sessions
- No refund - of online registration process fee
- Refunds are issued in the original form of payment.
- Refunds are issued within 5-10 business days.
Trivia Night
February 3, 2023
Online registration will begin January 9, 2023!
Click here to register!
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.
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.
- 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
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.
West Kentucky
RCX Regional Tournament
March 11, 2023
Questions? Contact Mellisa Duncan • (270) 534-3097 • mellisa.duncan@kctcs.edu
