Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College

08/20/2026

This is one of those awesome "how did you spend your summer" stories. The Western Avenue Community Center's Willie Brown Leadership Program took 30 students through a six-week summer program to grow, learn and make memories. And make memories is what they did! Check out this reel filled with some of the challenges they engaged in at our Challenger Learning Center.

08/19/2026

🌟 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

08/07/2026

Fall homeschool STEM classes coming up! 🚀🌬️
We're excited to begin a new season of hands-on STEM learning with classes designed especially for homeschool students. Our fall programs will encourage curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and exploration through engaging science, technology, and engineering.
We're also celebrating an amazing summer of STEM learning! From kindergarten through 12th grade, students spent their summer exploring new ideas, tackling challenges, conducting investigations, and discovering the world around them through interactive, hands-on experiences.
A huge thank you to all of the students and families who joined us this summer.
Check out the fall classes now and save 10% through Sept. 4.
Learn & Engineer Wind Power
https://heartland.augusoft.net/connect/ClassInfo/ClassInformation?int_class_id=1270&int_category_id=3&int_sub_category_id=26&int_catalog_id=3
Mission to Mars
https://heartland.augusoft.net/connect/ClassInfo/ClassInformation?int_class_id=1269&int_category_id=3&int_sub_category_id=26&int_catalog_id=3
Check out our other Kids@Heartland offerings at Heartland.edu/Kids
Meanwhile, enjoy some of our scenes from summer! 📷

08/04/2026

🚀COME FLY 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 Aug. 8 for priority consideration! Applications will continue to be reviewed after that date. (https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/heartland/jobs/5426472-0/stem-facilitator)

07/02/2026

25% off!
Last day Friday, July 3, to save on new online registrations for the last few weeks of Kids@Heartland!

Save on STEM at Kids@Heartland!
We've still got some fun ahead at our seven weeks of summer classes wind down and if you sign up for new registrations by Friday, July 3, you'll save 25%!

For the younger learners we have:
🌞 My Mini-ville: Grades K-2
Create your own extraordinary village! Whether it's a magical fairyland, a dinosaur-filled prehistoric world, or any theme you dream up, you're the master builder. Learn how to construct sturdy structures that can withstand the elements and explore creative solutions for your village's layout and infrastructure. Through hands-on experimentation and problem-solving, you'll bring your Mini-ville to life, combining imaginative design and engineering fun!
https://heartland.augusoft.net/connect/ClassInfo/ClassInformation?int_class_id=1089&int_category_id=0&int_sub_category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0
For Grades 6-8, take a thrilling ride:
🌞 Roller Coaster Fest 2026
Come catch the ride of your life at Roller Coaster Fest 2026! This hands-on camp encourages students to become engineers, designers, and thrill-seekers all in one. Throughout the program, campers explore the science and creativity behind roller coasters by designing, building, and testing their own original models. This camp emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. The more twists, turns, and loops, the better! Will your design win Roller Coaster Fest 2026?
https://heartland.augusoft.net/connect/ClassInfo/ClassInformation?int_class_id=1095&int_category_id=0&int_sub_category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0

06/30/2026

SUMMER SALE!

Take advantage of our summer flash sale for new registrations only for available seats in Kid@Heartland classes now through Friday, July 3, for classes starting July 6 and after. Go online to Heartland.edu/Kids and save now!

06/25/2026

STEM JOB ALERT 🚀🔬
We’re looking for a talented educator to soar with our staff as a teaching and training specialist! Become a part of our 20-year legacy, leading students in NASA-inspired simulated training missions and supervising part-time staff. Join us on the HCC campus! Learn more and apply ~ https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/heartland/jobs/5387828-0/teaching-and-training-specialist-challenger-learning-center

06/17/2026

ATTENTION:
This affects Kids@Heartland and Continuing Ed classes for today, Wednesday, June 17.

Due to severe weather ALL Heartland Community classes at Normal, Pontiac, and Lincoln campuses are canceled beginning at 1 PM today (6/17). This includes Continuing Education and Kids@Heartland classes as well as the Child Development Lab. The Fitness and Recreation Center will also suspend operations at that time.

06/04/2026

STEM energy at Heartland! ⚡️
Heartland Community College just wrapped up the 2026 STEM Educator Institute: Energy Systems & E Rides, and WOW — what an incredible three days!
21 STEM educators from across the region and as far away as Colorado came together to dive into the future of energy.
Led by HCC’s Career and Technical Education Professor Chris Miller and team, participants, including our amazing Challenger Learning Center STEM experts, explored: 🔋 battery technology 🛴 E rides ⚡ modern energy systems 🔧 hands on labs and interactive training.
The group also took a field trip to the Panther Grove 2 wind facility in Livingston County where educators got to see a full-scale turbine up close.
🌟 Want in next year? HCC is expanding to 25 seats for 2027 — and trust us, you won’t want to miss it. Registration info coming soon.
This event was sponsored by HCC, CREATE, and a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Program.
The energy was high, the learning was powerful, and the impact will ripple into classrooms across Illinois and beyond. 💡✨

05/29/2026

Sound on! 🔊
Space Engineers: Grades K-2 • July 30
Can you hear me now? As a spacecraft engineer you will design a communication device that can send messages across the space station! Experiment with different materials to build and refine your device, testing how sound waves travel through each. Work with your teammates to create the clearest connection for sharing critical messages in space!

👉 tinyurl.com/bdezbmyx
Sign up by Sunday, May 31, to get a 10% discount on each class. Need-based scholarships are available.
Explore all summer offerings at Heartland.edu/Kids or call 309-268-8160 to learn more.