by Alan Haskvitz

On Jan. 28, 1986, the Challenger shuttle exploded and crashed into the ocean, shattering plans to follow lessons by charismatic teacher-astronaut Christa McAuliffe, but not ending her quest to motivate others to learn about space. The lessons she planned are listed here as well as others.

My students had set up a telephone interview with Christa’s back-up, Barbara Morgan, who was going to talk to them about her training and goals. Obviously, this did not happen.  But the students did create a monument to Christa, hold an impressive ceremony -- including a fly over, and raised money to purchase the rights to name a star after all the Challenger astronauts.

Before the flight, Christa said, "One of the things I hope to bring back into the classroom is to make that connection with the students that they too are part of history;  the space program belongs to them and to try to bring them up with the space age."  Hopefully these lessons will continue that legacy.

Challenger Tragedy (video)

Space-related lessons

Amazing Space – Myths vs. Realities
Interesting information about black holes, comets and more

Astronaut Biographies

Challenger Center Lessons
Plan database

Challenger Center Podcasts and Vodcasts

Challenger Center Programs
Challenges for students

Challenger Center Webcasts

Challenger Learning Center Network

Challenger Learning Edventures
This site has podcasts, lesson plans, videos and more about science from the Challenger Learning Center dedicated to the memory of those killed in the shuttle tragedy, including Christa McAuliffe. Such Learning Centers are located throughout the United States.

Challenger’s Lost Lessons
Christa McAuliffe’s six science lessons were prepared for the nation’s children, but never performed.

Countdown to Learning with Astronomy and Space
Very large collection includes a variety of resources from tracking satellites to Ask an Astrophysicist -- for all levels.

Explore the Final Frontier
A huge selection from planets to weather

Global Aircraft – Shuttle Challenger
Photos, data on shuttle craft

Learn with the Explorers

Life from Earth and Mars Lessons

Lockheed Martin Space Day
Downloadable Space Day Tool Kit, including games and more for Space Day, May 2, 2009

NASA Educators

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
JPL home page for teachers offers several activities on site as well as downloadable lessons.

NASA’s Imagine the Universe
Lessons for older students

NASA’s Mars Exploration Site
With lessons for teachers 

REC Space 

Remember the Wright Brothers’ Historic Flight
Very complete and a great site for finding aviation related materials

Robots in the Classroom

Science Education Gateway
An impressive listing of resources for teachers, including web-based and hands-on, inquiry based-lessons

Space Exploration
Pros and cons of space travel -- a critical thinking lesson for students

The Space Place Teacher’s Corner 
Get activities and lessons -- all downloadable and great for challenging students. Check the animations.

Star-Brite Learning Program
Printable shuttle for coloring   

Teachers’ Center
Ideas to create StarChild lessons for younger students

Windows to the Universe – Lesson Plans & Activities
Find a huge variety of lessons about space and its implications, including the Jupiter Galileo mission; well worth a visit.