A Summer of Exploration is in store for students entering grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 at the Challenger Learning Center of Maine!

Astronaut Academy provides students entering grades 6-8 with the opportunity to test their skills, as they train to live and work in space during the week of August 3-7. Challenger's astronaut cadets will practice agility, build shelters, conduct scientific experiments, work through emergencies, learn about launch systems, see how space suits work, and meet food intake requirements using only space-approved food. Their week-long training will prepare them to fly a space mission where they will work together as mission controllers and astronauts, using Challenger's mission control, spacecraft, and space lab simulators. Special NASA guest speakers and offsite trips help to create an out of this world experience for Challenger's 6-8 grade astronauts in training!

Machias Savings Bank recently awarded $5,000 to the Challenger Learning Center of Maine to provide Washington County students with the opportunity to fly space science missions at the Challenger Center.

"Because of Machias Savings Bank's continuing dedication to the Challenger program, thousands of students have now had the opportunity to become inspired to pursue higher levels of science and math education. We appreciate their investment in the future by making this possible for so many of Maine's students," stated Susan Jonason, Executive Director.