Teacher Training Videos
Learn everything you need to prepare your class for a successful Challenger experience
Teacher Training Videos
Pardon our dust! Teacher Training is under construction. More will be added soon.
A successful mission to the Challenger Learning Center depends on students feeling well-prepared for the day ahead, and THAT requires teachers to be well-prepaired. In place of coming to our center for an in-person training, you can work through this series of videos to prepair for your mission. Still have questions? Call us at 314.521.6205 and we can talk through details.
About the Challenger Learning Center - St. Louis
Watch this short video for a general overview of the Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis. You can learn more at our About page .
First things first: Confirm what programs you're doing.
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How to give students the best experience possible? Become a Mission CAPTAIN
We’ve talked to Flight Directors and experienced teachers to find out what it takes to give students the best missions possible. Teachers who complete all the listed items below will receive a flight wings pin!
Even if you can’t “earn your wings” this year, we strongly encourage teachers to do as many of these elements as possible so that your students will have a great experience.
Crew Manifest
Arrive with correct Crew Manifest(s) already filled out. Assignments should be based on student strengths. If possible, make two extra copies for the flight directors.
Arrive on time
Plan to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled mission. If this will not be possible, please call in advance to change your start time (and call the morning of if you are running late).
Patch
Bring — or email us — a student-created Mission Patch to represent your class. (This could be a classroom activity, extra-credit project, etc.)
Training
Before your mission, attend a Mission-Ready Teacher Workshop. Workshops are available for new and returning teachers, and will earn you professional development credit.
Adult Chaperones
Bring at least 2 to 4 adults/chaperones depending on your programs.
In-Class Activity
Do at least one in-class activity to prepare students for their mission. (We recommend a combination of communication practice and mission overview.)
Needs Noted
Inform Flight Directors of any relevant student special needs, such as reading disabilities, hearing impairments, or sensory issues. You can note these on the crew manifest. Contact us in advance to discuss any special accommodations, such as leaving early, oversized classes, or lunch after a half-day program.
Review program overview from student perspective
Sometimes we visit classrooms (in person or virtually) to prepare students ourselves. Please review these slides yourself as a review of what students should expect. You are also welcome to use/modify these slides to use with your own class.
A preview is below, but additional speaker notes and self-pacing are available in the Google Slides version of Student Preparation.
K-5: Get an overview of Jr. Astronauts program
The vast majority of programs for elementary school students are two-hour programs that involve a one-hour mission and 1-hour rocket workshop.