Challenger Space Center of Arizona – Peoria, Arizona
Do you remember the tragic end of the Challenger mission from NASA? Because of this tragedy the Challenger Space Center of Arizona was built to memorialize these brave souls and yet continue with the excitement, education and inspiration of those interested in the space program and all it has to offer.
The affiliation the Center has with the Smithsonian Institute offers access to national quality museum exhibits that would not otherwise be available in Arizona.
The Center has educational classes available for those that reserve a space. The courses encompass such things as how to track a hurricane, predict volcanic rock fall and determine how these conditions impact the surrounding areas. There are three-hour mission simulations that you can participate in with each mission designed to hold a class of 16 to 32 students. There is education for each lass lead by a teacher who has attended a half-day teacher orientation program at least two months before the date of the mission.
There are opportunities for field trips for the pre-K students and beyond to learn about space with age-appropriate activities to keep them interested and excited. There are also programs for the public to attend and learn about space.
A fabulous opportunity for students is to attend one of the Space Camps. These are held during the summer, and holiday school breaks. These camps offer elementary and middle school students a chance to learn how astronauts live and work in space, launch rockets and explore adventures related to the history of flight. These are full day or half day camps.
The programs at the Center are focused on meeting and exceeding the educational standards set by Arizona for Math, Science, Technology and Workplace Skills.
You can join with others at the Center to stargaze, use the indoor planetarium, hear the lectures, take telescope classes, hear space storytelling and more.
Public Admission
Adults $6
Students (6-18 yrs) $4
Seniors (55+ yrs) $4
Ages 5 & Under Free
Challenger Members Free
Hours of Operation
Monday 9a – 4p
Tuesday 9a – 4p
Wednesday 9a – 4p
Thursday 9a – 4p
Friday 9a – 4p
Saturday 10a – 4p
Sunday Closed
Guided Tours Monday thru Friday
Saturday
10a, 11a, 1p, 2p and 3p
10a, 11a, 12p, 1p, and 2p
Tours are conducted daily. Due to occasional special engagements and/or the availability of a tour guide please call in advance to ensure a tour guide is available that day. Self-guided tours are available with paid admission to the center. In order to ensure a quality experience, if you are planning to bring a group of ten or more, or if you have special needs, please call 623.322.2001 to make a tour reservation.
Closed on the
following Holidays
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Years Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Directions:
Coming from the West (Sun City/Sun City West/Surprise)
• Go East on Bell Road
• Turn left onto 91st Avenue
• Turn Right onto Lake Pleasant Parkway
• Turn Left onto 83rd Avenue
• The Center is the large white building on the left
• The Challenger Space Center is adjacent to the Sunrise Mountain High School campus
Traveling West on Loop 101 (From the East Valley)
• Exit onto 75th Avenue
• Turn Right off the exit ramp, heading North on 75th Avenue
• Turn Left onto Deer Valley Road
• Turn Left onto 83rd Avenue
• The Center is the large white building on the right
• The Challenger Space Center is adjacent to the Sunrise Mountain High School campus
Traveling North on Loop 101 from the I-10
• From the I-10, take the Loop 101 North
• Travel 12 miles
• Exit onto Union Hills Drive
• Turn Left at the light onto Union Hills heading West
• Turn Right onto 83rd Avenue
• Turn Right at the 5th stop light to continue on 83rd Avenue
• The Center is the large white building on the left
• The Challenger Space Center is adjacent to the Sunrise Mountain High School campus
Valerie Bontrager Education Lead / Scheduler
623.322.2015 / 623.322.2033
vbontrager@azchallenger.net / scheduler@azchallenger.net