Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College

10/09/2026

There’s something special about welcoming a school for the very first time, and this week we got to do just that! 🚀

Nearly 130 students from East Peoria Central Junior High School came through our doors for their first Challenger mission. Their Mars mission took a turn when an asteroid nearly derailed everything. The teams used data and their own calculations to make tough decisions, and they turned an impossible situation into MISSION SUCCESS! 🔴

A huge shout-out to the teachers, administrators, and staff who joined them. Teachers, staff, and administration from across the school took turns joining their students throughout the week and experienced every moment alongside their students. Thank you for all your planning and bringing so much energy to Mission Control this week!

We love our returning schools, and we want to keep opening our doors to new ones, too.
Sign up your class at Heartland.edu/CLC
If you would like to donate to make these experiences possible for new and returning students, call our office at 309-268-8700 and we'll connect you with the right people!

10/07/2026

School visits continue at our Challenger Learning Center. Check out the action from St. Patrick School, Washington, IL last week where 6th- and 7th graders took on the Mars challenge!
Teachers: Consider signing your classes up for this out-of-this-world adventure at Heartland.ed/CLC.

10/07/2026

🚀 Come soar with us!
Do you love making science and space come alive for students? We are looking for a part-time STEM facilitator to lead exciting hands-on learning experiences for students grades 5-8. Lead simulated space missions and guide crews of student "astronauts" through their objectives, walk them through mission stations, and create a positive classroom environment to build STEM confidence in all our crew members.
What you need:
✔️ Associate degree or relevant experience
✔️ Teaching, presentation, or performance experience
✔️ Strong verbal communication skills
✔️ Comfort learning and using technical software

Apply by Oct. 16 for priority consideration! Applications will continue to be reviewed after that date. https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/heartland/jobs/5502673/stem-facilitator

09/25/2026

Another great day of STEM education with a group of fifth graders from Banner Elementary School 📷 ⬇️

Teachers: Check out all we have to offer at Heartland.edu/CLC or call 309-268-8700 to schedule an out-of-this world experience for your class.

Or join us for a corporate or social mission to build team skills and promote collaboration.

For homeschool students, we have Learn & Engineer Wind Power classes starting Oct. 22.
Sign up here ~ https://heartland.augusoft.net/connect/ClassInfo/ClassInformation?int_class_id=1270&int_category_id=0&int_sub_category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0

09/24/2026

🌬️ Registration is now open for the 2027 Central Illinois KidWind Project Challenge!

TEACHERS: Students in grades 4-12 from schools, Scout groups, and homeschool programs are invited to join us at the Challenger Learning Center on Friday, Feb. 26, 2027.

Teams will design and build their own wind turbines, then test them in the KidWind wind tunnel to see how much power they can generate. Judges will evaluate both performance and design.

🚀 Challenger Learning Center
⏰ 9:15AM to 2PM
⚡ Limited to 150 students

Registration closes when spots are filled or by Jan. 30.
Sign up here ~
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYo0cWKzIKcVhTmIO4q4fGv7CwqpoRIrNE8MiDujVIm0y8MQ/viewform

A big thank you to Enel, Apex Clean Energy, EDP Renewables, and a CREATE grant from the National Science Foundation for supporting this exciting STEM event!



Bement CUSD 5 Metcalf School DeLand-Weldon CUSD #57 Normal Community Tech Dept

09/21/2026

We've had schools engaged in our STEM missions since the first of September. Take a look at these awesome fifth-graders from Ridgeview Elementary School during their visit last week.⬇️
We're offering missions for school and corporate groups this school year so check it out at Heartland.edu/CLC, fill out this form https://www.heartland.edu/clc/mission.html or call 309-268-8700 to join us for a day of fun!

For homeschool kids, we have a great opportunity coming up Tuesday, Sept. 29. We still have a few seats available so sign up today!
https://heartland.augusoft.net/connect/ClassInfo/ClassInformation?int_class_id=1269&int_category_id=0&int_sub_category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0

09/11/2026

Homeschool kids!
There's still time to sign up for series of wind energy classes, starting Oct. 10. Take over our Renewable Energy labs for a one-of-a-kind engineering challenge. Before that, join us for our Mission to Mars on Sept. 29.
Check our both opportunities at
https://heartland.augusoft.net/connect/ClassListing/ClassListingDisplay?int_category_id=3&int_sub_category_id=26&int_catalog_id=3

09/08/2026

Step out of the office and into Mission Control for a corporate or social mission with your work team. Our recent visitors at the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Business Before Hours visited and tested our spaces to find out what our center has to offer⬇️

Our corporate mission is perfect for:
~ Corporate team building
~ Board and leadership retreats
~ Strategy and planning meetings

Our social missions are perfect for:
~ Staff and employee appreciation events
~ Incentive and sales meetings
~ Client and company celebrations.

Call our office today at 309-268-8700 or email us at [email protected] to book a challenging and rewarding mission for your team! 🚀⭐

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/03/2026

Sixteen educators from across the region joined us Wednesday for a free day of STEM professional development at our center.
Teachers kicked off the day with either Wind Basics or Space Missions, where they explored our new Crop Science station and upgraded Space Station. In the afternoon, they continued their learning with Wind Advanced with Gears to prepare for the KidWind Challenge in February; or Mission Basics, experiencing a Challenger mission, trying STEM activities, and connecting with fellow educators.
Check out the photos below for a look at their day!📷⬇️

08/27/2026

We are less than one week away from our Wednesday, Sept. 2, FREE professional development teacher training event. It's never too early in the year to investigate STEM opportunities and share ideas (even though we can't believe September is already here!). Sign up today for remaining seats!

https://forms.gle/UWp97X9x9jZVrh9L8

🌟 FREE STEM WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS!🌟
Teachers join us from 9AM-2PM on Sept. 2 for a FREE hands-on STEM professional development workshop! Start the day with Wind Basics or Space Missions (featuring our new Crop Science station and upgraded Space Station). After a provided lunch, continue with Wind Advanced with Gears to prepare for the KidWind Challenge, or Mission Basics to experience the mission as a student, explore STEM experiments, and connect with fellow teachers.

Sign up today to earn 5 CEU credits! Seats are limited ~
https://forms.gle/UWp97X9x9jZVrh9L8