Launching Futures
One Mission at a Time

CHOOSE YOUR STEM EXPERIENCE

Immersive STEM experiences that inspire teamwork, creativity, and future-ready skills

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13,000+ Students
Served Each Year

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6,100+ Programs Delivered
Since 2024

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1 of 40 Challenger Centers Around the World

Bringing STEM to Life Across Maine

From mission control to the surface of Mars, students tackle real‑world STEM challenges in engaging, collaborative simulations — building skills and confidence they’ll carry into any future they choose.

Experience

Bring your class, group, friends, or colleagues for an unforgettable hands‑on STEM adventure. Immersive NASA missions, camps, and events.

Inspire

We inspire Maine students to explore STEM careers, build workplace skills, and prepare for high-growth jobs – 85% of participants report a greater interest in STEM.

Remember

Born from the 1986 loss of the Challenger STS‑51‑L crew, we honor their legacy by inspiring and preparing future generations through transformative STEM education.

Donate

Help us bring transformative STEM learning experiences to students across Maine! Your gift funds school scholarships and outreach that open doors for every learner.

Upcoming Events at Challenger Maine

Events
40th Anniversary Patch Contest
Dec 23

Calling all students! Design an original mission patch to honor the 40th anniversary of the Challenger space shuttle.

Festive Rockets!
Jan 2

Bring the whole family for a festive morning of hands-on crafts and rocketry fun. Suitable for students in grades 2-8.

Girls Who Code: Intro to Coding Club
Jan 5

This is a free, beginner-friendly club for grades 3-5. We meet in-person on Mondays at Challenger Maine!

Celebrate Our 40th Anniversary!
Jan 28

As we celebrate 40 years, we’re not just looking back—we’re launching forward. Join us as we launch the next era—together.

SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTS

Find Your Challenger Experience

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Join a Camp or STEM Activity

VIEW CAMPS & ACTIVITIES

Hands-on STEM camps, homeschool days, afterschool programs, and special collaborations that spark curiosity and build real-world skills.

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Experience our NASA Mission Simulator

Engaging in-person, virtual, or traveling space missions for schools, youth groups, and employee team-building that inspire problem-solving and collaboration.

VIEW MISSION OPTIONS
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Host Your Own Event

Rent our facility for birthday parties, corporate retreats, and private events that bring your people together for an out-of-this-world STEM adventure.

VIEW PRIVATE RENTAL OPTIONS

STEM Impact in ACTION

Students, parents, educators, and community voices share how Challenger Maine is shaping tomorrow’s innovators.

  • “Camp was the highlight of my summer! Landing on the Moon and using the Rover to explore was so much fun. I learned so much about space and how astronauts work with scientists and engineers to solve problems. It made me want to study harder in school so I can maybe work in space exploration someday.”

    – Quinn, 6th grade student

  • “My students left Challenger Maine buzzing with excitement. They collaborated, problem-solved, and saw themselves in STEM careers for the first time. It’s an experience they’ll never forget.”

    — 6th Grade Science Teacher, Bangor, ME

  • “Our middle schooler loves the Challenger Learning Center, especially making new friends and learning.”

    — Parent of Visiting Camper

  • “A visit is not a typical field trip. I receive training and materials to use in my classroom so students benefit before, during, and after the missions. The most rewarding parts are the team building, perseverance, and problem-solving strategies my students learn.”

    — Katie Miller, 5th Grade Teacher at Brewer Community School

  • “Because of the Challenger program, my love of STEM blossomed. Even now, years after I’ve completed the programs, I continue to return as a volunteer. I observe the same joy I felt all those years ago on the faces of children today.”

    — Katherine Lake, former participant and current volunteer

  • “Challenger Learning Center of Maine offers families and teachers something they can get nowhere else: a chance to immerse kids from across the state in the thrill and wonder of space exploration and to catalyze new ideas about who they can become.”

    – Kirsten Hibbard, Executive Director, Challenger Learning Center of Maine

Inspiring.
Exploring.
Learning.

It’s our mission.

Challenger Maine offers dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities to inspire a lifelong passion for science, technology, engineering, and math.

In 2025, we completed a $3.7 million NASA- and community-funded facility and technology upgrade, becoming one of only five Challenger Centers worldwide with a next-generation mission simulator.

We deliver immersive, simulation-based STEM programs that ignite curiosity, build critical skills, and prepare the next generation of innovators.

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