The Challenger Learning Center - St. Louis provides simulated space missions and other "out of this world," hands-on educational programs that emphasize teamwork, communication, and creative problem-solving skills. Programs are available for schools, community groups, corporations and the general public.
The Challanger Learning Center is part of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, an international not-for-profit education organization founded in April, 1986, by the families of the astronauts tragically lost during the Challenger space shuttle mission. It is locally operated through a partnership of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, the Saint Louis Science Center and Education Plus.
Visitors will find lots of learning (and fun!) opportunities at the Challenger Learning Center, such as unique summer camps (Astronaut Training camp, Aquatic Robotics, Mars Camp, Innovators TechShop, just to name a few), STEM-based school programs, Simulated Space Missions for all ages, including Voyage to Mars, Return to the Moon, Jr Astronauts: Mystery in Space and many more.
Find your mission and spark your child's imagination at the Challenger Learning Center! Visit challengerstl.org to start planning your out-of-this-world fun!
Explore the Saint Louis Zoo in the evenings at the Chinese lantern festival Animals Aglow! Animals Aglow returns to illuminate the Saint Louis Zoo for the second year with dozens of new, towering lanterns and light displays.
Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!
Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym is an opportunity for any child to have supervised free play in the gym. They can work on existing skills, try something new, or simply play around. It is completely up to them! Open Gym is open to both members and non-members ages 12 and under.
The Gateway to Reading program is a parent-child workshop that focuses on strengthening reading skills while engaging in fun, literacy-based activities. Participants will receive a free toolkit of materials to help children in their reading journey.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
