Ohio County, West Virginia — It is one of the most well-known Challenger Learning Centers in the nation, and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito has played a key role in rebuilding it for continued success.
The center, built at Wheeling University in 1994, had not been updated until now.
The simulator is now packed with a brand new transporter, a new space station, and includes an accurate model of Blue Origin’s mission control room.
“Students here are getting real-world experience. This is real hardware being used in programming,” said Lance Bush, Challenger Center President and CEO.
We are also introducing a new distance learning program replatformed with local company Technology Services Group to encourage more women to join STEM majors.
But to accomplish all of this, Capito helped raise nearly $3 million in Congressional-directed spending to advance student success in STEM.
“This Challenger Center is really focused on space exploration and future communications technology. It’s like lighting a fire under young people because the jobs will be here,” Capito said.
Modernizing the facility was essential for the continued preparation of students.
“Space exploration is going to be critical to national security, which is another reason I think it’s important to get young people excited about space exploration,” Capito said.
“Having this immersive environment is really important to what we do with our students, because there are certain students who come to experience this, and they actually go to space that day. You can’t deny that,” Bush said.
The Challenger Learning Center is one of 35 in the country.