Space enthusiasts at the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana, which inspired generations to love science and space, said Tuesday the organization couldn’t continue operations because it couldn’t raise enough money to cover its relocation from Purdue University Northwest.
Its departure after 27 years leaves Indiana without a Challenger Learning Center, established to honor the memory of the Challenger crew which included the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe. The Challenger space shuttle exploded after liftoff Jan. 28, 1986, killing all seven crew members.
“It’s pretty devastating,” said Cynthia Prieto, board chairman. “We just were not able to get anybody to invest in the remainder of the funds we needed,” she said.
She said the group raised about half of the $1 million needed.
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A release stated: “Despite significant outreach, fundraising efforts, and the exploration of multiple opportunities for relocation and long-term sustainability, the organization was ultimately unable to secure funding.”
Since its inception, the center has been based at Purdue University Northwest in a 15,000 square-foot building constructed on the Hammond campus.
In 2024, PNW granted a two-year lease extension to the Learning Center. The lease expires Dec. 31, 2026.
The university has been working to repurpose the building to serve student and academic needs.
Following the announcement, fundraising activities got underway late last year.
Established to honor the memory of the crew of the 1986 Challenger fatal explosion, the Learning Center provided STEM programs for students ages 3 to 15. Fifth and sixth graders took journeys into space in two space simulators. Most recently, they flew to Mars.
The space missions included insight into interactive science, technology, engineering and math programming to encourage science studies.
Prieto said the center served students primarily in Indiana but also in neighboring Illinois and Michigan. About 20,000 students participate in its programs annually.
“To every student who walked through our doors and discovered something new about themselves, every teacher who trusted us with their students, every school district that made Challenger part of the educational experience, and every partner who invested in our mission: thank you,” said Prieto in the release.
Prieto said the center began notifying school districts Monday of the dissolution.
She said a key challenge in the fundraising effort was the high cost of moving the center’s two space simulators and other technical equipment from PNW to a new site.
Now, Prieto said the two simulators will be sent back to the nonprofit Challenger Learning Center’s national headquarters in Washington. The Northwest Indiana center was one of 32 in the nation. Its website is bare bones now, with just a notice announcing its dissolution.
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If possible, Prieto said other equipment and furniture would be donated to other nonprofits.
Board members are wrapping up the center’s finances and preparing to file dissolution papers with the state, Prieto said.
She still holds a shred of hope.
“The door is closed but not locked. Maybe hitting the news might inspire someone,” she said.
“It’s still kind of a shock. We’ll just work through the end of the year to try to close the center with as much dignity as we can.”
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.