Kick off the fall homeschool season with the Challenger Learning Center of Maine!
Exploration Lab
Join the Challenger Learning Center crew for an opportunity to explore the science and engineering that make human space exploration possible. Students will rotate through hands-on activities exploring topics such as electronics, renewable energy, materials science, geology, physiology, robotics, and more.
Students will also venture into our Mission Control and Space Lab simulators, working alongside their peers to collect data, conduct experiments, and then discuss and analyze what they discover.
This program is designed for students in grades 1–5 and is free to attend. Space is limited to 30 students.
Make It a Full Day of Discovery
This homeschool event is happening in partnership with the Cole Land Transportation Museum's Junior Curator Program!
Start the morning at the Cole Museum from 9:30–11:30 AM, then grab some lunch before heading over to the Challenger Learning Center for Exploration Lab from 12:30–2:30 PM.
Junior Curator Program at Cole Land Transportation Museum
Step into the role of a museum professional! Students in grades K–5 become junior curators, complete with white gloves and the opportunity to examine real artifacts from the museum's collection.
Working in small groups, students use observation, clues, and teamwork to figure out what each artifact is and how it was used. Groups rotate to a new artifact every 10 minutes before sharing their discoveries and explaining the clues that led them to their conclusions.
It's a fun opportunity to investigate history, think like a curator, and explore the past through real objects.
Parent Information
Drop-off is encouraged! Parents and guardians are welcome to drop off their students and make the most of the two hour program. Need to run a few errands? Go for it. Want a little quiet time? We won't tell anyone.
During the morning Junior Curator Program at the Cole Land Transportation Museum, parents can also explore the museum or enjoy some time to themselves. For the Exploration Lab at Challenger, parents who choose to stay can hang out in our Multipurpose Room while students are participating in the program.
If your student needs reading assistance or additional support, you're absolutely welcome to stay and participate with them.
This event is free, but registration is required. Space is limited to 30 students.
Come for the artifacts, stay for the rockets, robots, experiments, and space exploration, it's a pretty great way to spend a Thursday!
**Note: Transportation: Families are responsible for transportation between the Cole Land Transportation Museum and the Challenger Learning Center of Maine. The two programs are separate locations, so please plan accordingly.
Cost: Free!
Age: Grades 1st-5th (Max 30 students)
Date: Thursday September 10th
Time: 9:30-11:30AM (at Cole) and then 12:30-2:30PM (at Challenger)
Location: **Note: Families are responsible for transportation between the Cole Land Transportation Museum and the Challenger Learning Center of Maine.
1st Location
Cole Land Transportation Museum
405 Perry Rd, Bangor ME
2nd Location
Challenger Learning Center of Maine
30 Venture Way, Bangor ME
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