Staff Reports news@times-journal.com
RAINBOW CITY -- Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Alabama Power Foundation to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for students in northeast Alabama.
This generous funding will allow the center to expand its innovative STEM programs and hands-on learning opportunities for middle-school students from the 12-county service area. Working with the school systems to address learning gaps, Challenger Learning Center experiences ignite students’ interest in STEM learning and encourage the pursuit of STEM careers. With the support of the Alabama Power Foundation, Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama aims to create engaging and interactive educational opportunities that will inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, inventors, and leaders.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Alabama Power Foundation for their support,” said Tony Smith, Chair of the Advisory Council for Challenger Learning Center. “This grant will enable us to further our goal of making STEM education accessible and exciting for all students. We are committed to fostering curiosity and a love for learning, and this funding will help us achieve that goal.”
"The local support of this unique STEM education facility and its mission makes Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama an ideal partner for the Alabama Power Foundation. We are committed to assisting with developing a highly qualified workforce that will be the foundation of the economic development efforts throughout this area,” said Terry Smiley, Vice President, Eastern Division, Alabama Power. “This Center will serve as a regional STEM resource for all students in northeast Alabama.”
Challenger Learning Center is dedicated to engaging and empowering the next generation of thinkers and innovators in STEM possibilities who will shape our world. The Center will implement new programs to make a lasting impact on the communities future STEM workforce
The future Challenger Learning Center will join a network of more than 30 Challenger Learning Centers across 24 states that has reached more than 6 million students worldwide. Challenger Learning Centers offer a variety of hands-on STEM programs, with the core being its simulated space-themed missions in the fully immersive learning environment. Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama will serve students in Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Marshall, Randolph, St. Clair, Talladega, and Jefferson counties and surrounding areas.
