Category: Learning

Cros-Lex seventh graders launch to the moon thanks to Eastern Michigan Bank support

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 recently welcomed 145 seventh-grade students from Croswell-Lexington Community Schools thanks to generous support from Eastern Michigan Bank, which provided funds to cover mission fees for all the students.

“We are so fortunate to have access to such a unique opportunity as the Challenger Learning Center right here in our own backyard,” said Eastern Michigan Bank President and CEO Will Oldford. “Being able to introduce our local students to the vast array of opportunities in STEM that are available to them as possible career choices is a terrific benefit, and Eastern Michigan Bank is proud to be able to sponsor this experience for a number of our local youth.”

The students were divided into four missions at the Challenger Learning Center, with each group launching to the moon in a fully immersive, space-themed experience to learn more about STEM careers and topics and build communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills. While there, they commanded and assisted in Mission Control, boarded the Spacecraft as astronauts, and served on teams like biology, geology, weather, robotics, life support and more.

Croswell-Lexington Middle School Principal Brad Robbins says the students were grateful and eager to have the opportunity to go on a field trip as many of those opportunities had diminished during the recent pandemic.

“The Challenger Center was the perfect trip for our 7th graders to experience as a welcome back type event,” Robbins said. “They were busy and engaged in their work, but it was fun and had a sense of purpose. The staff did a great job and it was very easy to set up. The communication with the Challenger team was top-notch, and the overall experience was first class.”

For students Jaxon Stacer and Kendell Freiberg, the trip to Challenger Learning Center at SC4 provided an opportunity to learn about STEM concepts in a fun, hands-on manner.

“I really liked all of the tech stuff that they had us do during the mission,” Stacer said. “It kept us really busy, and we had a lot of fun. I also liked how we went around and toured the nature center [in the Experience Center].”

Added Freiberg, “I had a good time as a member of the medical team. We had a lot of jobs, and I didn’t know that there were so many things happening on the ground while astronauts were in space.”

Since its launch in April 2022, more than 2,500 students, visitors, educators, business employees, community residents and friends from close to 100 zip codes have visited Challenger Learning Center at SC4.

The Center now offers two missions for visitors to enjoy. In Mission Lunar Quest, which is available for learners in fifth grade and beyond, mission participants deploy a Lunar Exploration Rover to investigate areas of the lunar surface and make critical decisions to turn a potential catastrophe into NASA’s finest hour. In Operation Comet, which is new to Challenger Learning Center at SC4 as of January 2023 and expands programming to third-grade and above learners, the mission crew must quickly reengineer a robotic probe so that it can stop a comet from a direct collision with Earth.

“We’ve had many visitors from right here in the Blue Water area but also from well beyond in counties across Southeast Michigan,” said Kristin Copenhaver, chief marketing officer. “We’re finding that many visitors are rebooking new missions right after they visit, and we anticipate Operation Comet will bring even more learners from across Michigan and Ontario to Port Huron.”

Robbins agrees. “We have already reserved our dates for 2023, and the kids are excited to go!

To learn more or schedule a group mission, visit challenger.sc4.edu/visit/. Contact the Challenger Learning Center with questions at experiencecenter@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5789.


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Eastern Michigan Bank
Eastern Michigan Bank is a locally owned community bank headquartered in Croswell, Michigan, with eleven full-service branches in the Thumb and Blue Water communities of Croswell, Deckerville, Fort Gratiot, Lakeport, Lexington, Port Huron, Marysville, Ruth and Sandusky. It provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking services to a wide range of clients and continually demonstrates a strong commitment to the communities it serves, supporting numerous local civic and charitable organizations through corporate donations and sponsorships, as well as through staff volunteer time to local boards, committees and organizations. 

St. Clair County Community College
St. Clair County Community College prepares students for rewarding careers through associate degrees, certificates and transfer pathways with four-year institutions. Founded in 1923, SC4’s commitment to providing access to a college education and meeting community needs is unwavering and contributes greatly to the economic vitality of Michigan and beyond.

Alumni Spotlight: Elizabeth King

Current or most recent title and employer?
Director – Health Officer

How did SC4 help prepare you?
It allowed me to find nursing as a profession while being close to home and my family. I was a mother of two when I graduated with my ADN. I continue to be an advocate for the nursing profession, emphasizing how broad this path is. Passing my NCLEX was a breeze with the preparation I had both academically and clinically at SC4, allowing me to secure a full-time job quickly after graduation.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
Prevention and wellness as it relates to not just the science of health but to our community and social determinants of health.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
Yes. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from U-M Flint.

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 expands mission programming with Operation Comet

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 is pleased to announce the addition of Operation Comet, a new mission that expands Center offering options to learners as young as third grade. Current Lunar Quest mission programming is available to learners in grades five and beyond.

“We’re thrilled to add more fun and exciting STEM learning opportunities at SC4,” said Kristin Copenhaver, chief marketing officer. “When we first launched the Challenger Learning Center in April 2022, there were many requests to bring in younger elementary groups. Many of those groups were able to take advantage of Experience Center programming, but Operation Comet helps us address the growing needs of STEM learning at this younger age level in additional new ways.”

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 is the only Center of its kind in Michigan and one of 40 Challenger Learning Centers nationwide and around the world. It is a fully immersive, space-themed experience aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of STEM careers and topics and building critical 21st-century skills. It offers unique learning and team-building opportunities for students, educators, corporations and community residents.

In Operation Comet, the mission crew must quickly reengineer a robotic probe so that it can stop a comet from a direct collision with Earth. In Mission Lunar Quest, mission participants deploy a Lunar Exploration Rover to investigate areas of the lunar surface and make critical decisions to turn a potential catastrophe into NASA’s finest hour. Both missions meet national science standards for recommended grade levels and are scalable for older learners.

Since its launch in April 2022, more than 2,500 students, visitors, educators, business employees, community residents and friends from close to 100 zip codes have visited Challenger Learning Center at SC4.

To learn more or schedule a group mission, visit challenger.sc4.edu/visit/. Contact the Challenger Learning Center with questions at experiencecenter@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5789.

Black History Month Read-in event planned Feb. 4

The SC4 Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will host a Read-in event featuring Detroit-raised artist and guest author Solomon Johnson to honor Black History Month on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10:30 a.m. to noon in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre. This event is open to the public and K-12 students, SC4 students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are invited to attend.

The National African American Read-in was created in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by bringing together community members to listen to the reading of poems, stories and book excerpts by Black authors.

“Black History Month is a celebration of achievements and contributions to human development. And the fact that Black history is part of American history is essential for all Americans to know, learn about and understand,” said Jessica Brown, Vice President of SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Student Recruitment, Advising & Admissions. “The Read-in event reflects groundbreaking efforts to encourage communities to read together, centering on African American books and authors and celebrating the beautiful legacy together.”

The mission of SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is to advance the college’s efforts in providing educational access and support for all. The office hosts national speakers, podcasts, guided book discussions, events and programs to make SC4’s campus an inclusive environment for students, faculty, staff and the community.

Attendees are asked to register in advance for the free Read-in event by filling out the event registration form or by sending an email to dei@sc4.edu. To read more about SC4’s DEI Office, visit sc4.edu/dei.