Challenger Learning Center at Paducah Hits Milestone with 50,000^th Student to Fly Mission.

Wells Purdom from Lone Oak Middle School received a big surprise as he walked through the doors of the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah on Wednesday, February 3.  He received balloons and shouts of congratulations as he became the 50,000^th student to fly a mission at the center.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” Purdom said.  “I have never been here before!  I am excited to get in there and see what everybody is talking about! ”

The countdown began as the students entered the Center for the day’s space mission activities unaware of the upcoming celebration. Mellisa Duncan, Challenger Learning Center Executive Director, also presented Purdom with a special certificate to commemorate the occasion.

 “We are over the moon that we have touched the lives of 50,000 school students in the local area”, said Duncan.  “By continuing the mission of the Challenger crew, the center has been the start of many students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” she added.

The Challenger Learning Center at Paducah, located on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, officially opened on August 16, 2002, as the 44th member of the national Challenger Center for Space Science Education network. Since the inaugural mission, Rendezvous With a Comet™ on September 16, 2002, the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah has flown over 1,750 missions and added programming such as summer camps, scouting workshops, e-Missions and professional development for area teachers.

Serving 19 school districts in Kentucky and Illinois, the Challenger Learning Center continues to promote the importance of science, math, and technology by providing hands-on space missions for educators, students, businesses and the community.