Challenger Learning Center of Maine

Looking for a birthday party that's truly out of this world?

Skip the same old party venues and celebrate with an unforgettable STEM filled adventure at the Challenger Learning Center of Maine! From hands-on activities to exciting space themed experiences, our birthday packages make it easy to create a celebration your child and their friends will be talking about long after the candles are blown out.

Explore our unique party spaces
Choose from a variety of birthday packages
Let us help make your child's special day one to remember

Learn more and take a virtual look at our birthday party packages and spaces here:
https://www.astronaut.org/programs/birthdays

Know someone planning a birthday party? Share this post and help them discover Bangor's most unique birthday destination!

The countdown is on!

We're just a few weeks away from bringing our Blast Off Rocket Program to the Margaret Chase Smith Library, and there's still time to reserve your spot for this high-flying, and FREE STEM adventure.

Young explorers ages 5+ will build their own rockets, learn the science behind how they fly, and then put their creations to the test during an exciting launch session. It's hands-on learning, teamwork, and plenty of rocket-powered fun all rolled into one event.

56 Norridgewock Avenue, Skowhegan
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Session 1: 10:00–11:00 AM
Session 2: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Space is limited to 30 participants per session, so don't wait too long to claim your launch pad!

Learn more and register: https://www.astronaut.org/events-hidden/mcs-rockets

Challenger Blast-Off Rocket Program | Margaret Chase Smith Library Event — Challenger Learning Center of Maine Join the for the Challenger Blast-Off Rocket Program at the Margaret Chase Smith Library. Students will design, build, and launch rockets while exploring STEM concepts including flight, engineering, and space science through hands-on learning and teamwork.

Summer camp season is almost here!

On June 23rd, the Challenger Learning Center of Maine will welcome the first campers of the summer, and we're pretty sure our educators are almost as excited as the kids. (Almost.)

Over the next few months, we'll be launching rockets, solving challenges, building robots, exploring science, and probably answering at least a few hundred questions that start with, "What would happen if...?"

If you missed out on a camp spot this year, don't worry. The best thing you can do is sign up for our email notifications so you'll be first in line when future camp registrations open:
https://www.astronaut.org/notifications

And while we're definitely not wishing away summer, it's never too early to keep an eye on our upcoming February and April Vacation Camps. Before you know it, Maine winter will be back, and we'll be ready with some STEM powered fun to help break up the cold.

For now, though, we're focused on summer and counting down the days until camp begins. See you on June 23rd!

Science in Transit: Dragon Readies for Return to Earth

The Expedition 74 crew aboard the International Space Station is preparing a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft for its return to Earth, packing it with valuable research samples and equipment that could help advance medicine and human health.

Maine's own astronaut, Jessica Meir, played a key role in Monday's cargo operations, transferring scientific samples, helping prepare research freezers for their journey home, and inspecting the station's docking port ahead of Dragon's departure. She also spent part of the day inspecting safety tethers for an upcoming spacewalk planned later this month.

Check out NASA's latest update from orbit!

Crew Packs Dragon for Tuesday Departure and Preps for Spacewalk - NASA The Expedition 74 crew members packed a U.S. cargo spacecraft on Monday with sensitive science experiments and lab hardware for return to Earth. The orbital residents also configured spacewalking tools and conducted cardiac research to kick off the week aboard the International Space Station.

School is wrapping up, summer is getting ready for liftoff, and we've got a full schedule of STEM adventures waiting at the Challenger Learning Center of Maine!

From Family STEM Nights and rocket launches to community events and awesome STEM experiences, there's plenty happening this summer for curious minds of all ages.

Looking for a fun family outing? Want to keep your young scientist, engineer, or astronaut in training engaged over the summer months? We've got you covered.

And while you're exploring our summer lineup, take a peek at what's already appearing on our fall calendar. We're adding new events regularly, including Family STEM Nights, special programs, and other exciting opportunities to learn, explore, and be inspired.

See everything coming up:
https://www.astronaut.org/events

Summer may just be getting started, but the countdown to your next STEM adventure starts now.

Upcoming Events & Venue Rentals | Challenger Learning Center of Maine in Bangor — Challenger Learning Center of Maine Plan unforgettable events at the Challenger Learning Center of Maine in Bangor. Explore STEM events, birthday parties, corporate team-building programs, group experiences, private venue rentals, and educational activities in a one-of-a-kind space-inspired setting for all ages.

Looking for an event venue that's anything but ordinary?

Whether you're planning a corporate gathering, family celebration, community event, or a birthday party that's truly unforgettable, the Challenger Learning Center of Maine offers a one of a kind setting where imagination and exploration take center stage.

Our unique space combines flexible event areas with immersive, space-themed environments designed to inspire curiosity, collaboration, and fun. From private celebrations to team events, every gathering at Challenger is an opportunity to create lasting memories.

Planning a birthday party? Our newly revamped birthday experiences feature hands on STEM activities, rocket launches, interactive science challenges, and even simulated space missions. It's the perfect way to celebrate aspiring astronauts, scientists, engineers, and explorers of all ages!

Want to see the space for yourself? Visit our website to explore our event spaces, learn more about private rentals and birthday packages, and take a virtual look around the Center before you book.

Private Rentals: astronaut.org/programs/private-rentals

Birthday Parties: astronaut.org/programs/birthdays

Your next event deserves a launchpad that's truly out of this world.

Get ready to BLAST OFF this August!

One of the highlights of our upcoming Blast Off Bash is the rocket we'll be launching: the Estes Cosmic Ray Rocket Kit!

Perfect for first-time flyers and experienced rocketeers alike, the Cosmic Ray features easy snap-together assembly, a colorful teal and gold design, and a real parachute recovery system. As you build and launch your rocket, you'll explore the science of aerodynamics, propulsion, and flight while watching it soar hundreds of feet into the Maine sky!

For more info visit: https://www.astronaut.org/events-hidden/blast-off-bash

Launch Days:
• Wednesday, August 19 | 3–7 PM
• Saturday, August 22 | 9 AM–12 PM

Cole Land Transportation Museum
405 Perry Road, Bangor, ME

Cost: $15
All ages welcome!

More details and registration information are coming soon, so keep an eye on our page and get ready for an unforgettable day of rocket powered fun!

NASA has officially announced the crew for Artemis III, the critical 2027 mission that will test the systems needed to return humans to the lunar surface and pave the way for future Moon landings.

The Artemis III crew includes Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano. Their mission will help validate the technologies and procedures that future lunar explorers will rely on.

While we're excited to see Artemis continue moving forward, here in Maine we'll admit we're keeping our fingers crossed for one more announcement down the road.

Could Maine's own Jessica Meir be selected for Artemis IV and become one of the next humans to walk on the Moon? Artemis IV is currently planned as the mission that returns astronauts to the lunar surface following Artemis III's demonstration flight.

We'll be cheering on the entire Artemis program, and hoping to see a familiar Maine name on a future crew roster!

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-marches-toward-artemis-iii-mission-in-2027-names-crew-members/

NASA Marches Toward Artemis III Mission in 2027, Names Crew Members - NASA Taking another step toward one of the most complex human spaceflight missions in recent history, NASA on Tuesday provided new Artemis III details and

We know summer is just getting started, and we're certainly not wishing it away, but we're too excited to wait to share this announcement!

Mark your calendars for a very special Family STEM Night coming to the Challenger Learning Center of Maine this fall.

On September 24, we'll be welcoming Maine author Suzanne Buzby Hersey, with McSea Books, for a live reading of her new children's book, Space Girl: An Astronaut's Dream Takes Flight, which tells the inspiring story of Maine astronaut Jessica Meir and her journey to becoming a NASA astronaut.

The event comes just a few weeks after the book's official release on September 1, making it a wonderful opportunity for families to celebrate a brand new story that highlights curiosity, perseverance, and the power of dreaming big.

There will be hands on STEM activities for the entire family throughout the Center focused on science, engineering, and space exploration inspired by the book!

September 24
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Challenger Learning Center of Maine
Free!

While we have plenty of summer fun ahead of us, we're thrilled to give everyone an early look at one of the exciting events coming this fall. Stay connected and sign up for event updates so you'll be the first to know about registration details and additional announcements. To register and find out more visit: https://www.astronaut.org/events-hidden/fsn-september

Help Inspire the Next Generation of Explorers!

The Challenger Learning Center of Maine is growing, and we're looking for passionate individuals to join our mission of bringing high quality STEM education to students across Maine.

We're currently hiring for:

Lead STEM Educator
A leadership role focused on overseeing educational programming, summer camps, simulated space missions, staff training, and STEM outreach efforts that impact thousands of students each year.
https://www.astronaut.org/volunteering -stem

Part-time STEM Program Facilitator
Perfect for someone who enjoys working directly with students! Facilitators lead simulated space missions, assist with camps and public programs, and help create exciting hands on STEM experiences.
https://www.astronaut.org/volunteering -facilitator

We're also seeking High School Summer Camp Volunteers who want to gain leadership experience, work alongside STEM educators, and help make summer camp an unforgettable experience for younger students.
https://www.astronaut.org/volunteering -volunteers

Know someone who would be a great fit? Please share this post with friends, family, educators, recent graduates, and STEM enthusiasts!

Learn more and apply:
https://www.astronaut.org/volunteering

Together, we can spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire future scientists, engineers, and explorers.