Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College

Exciting FREE opportunity for educators🚀

We’re two weeks away from our professional development session Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Challenger Learning Center. Join us from 9AM-2:30PM that day. Be among the first to explore upgrades, discover engaging ways to teach renewable energy, and learn all about the KidWind Challenge! Teachers will receive substitute pay, travel reimbursement, coffee bar, 5 CPDUs, lunch, and classroom supplies. We only have a few spots remaining, so don’t miss out on these great perks!

For more information or to register, call 309-268-8700.

Welcome back, teachers!👋
Good luck to all the teachers and students heading back to school this week! We’re thrilled to welcome you to the Challenger Learning Center and can’t wait for you to explore the changes we’ve made this summer.

This year, we’re blasting off with:
⭐ A brand-new classroom and lunch space
⭐ A new briefing room
⭐ An amazing new mission for 5th-6th
⭐ Immersive new STEM challenges for 5th-6th

We look forward to seeing you soon! Contact CLC to schedule your adventure of innovation and exploration! And, watch our posts for amazing PD opportunities for teachers.

[email protected] (309) 268-8700

Under construction!🚧🚧

This summer we have been busy giving some of our spaces an out-of-this-world upgrade! We’re transforming these rooms into TWO brand-new multipurpose classrooms that will be perfect for missions, camps, and more!

Stay tuned for updates, the grand reveal, and an open house this spring! 🎉

Calling all teachers!📢📢

We are hosting a FREE professional development session Wednesday, Sept. 11, at our Challenger Learning Center, Heartland Community College. Be the first to see our upgrades, discover new ways to make renewable energy engaging for your students, and get details about the KidWind Challenge! Teachers receive substitute pay, travel, coffee bar, 5 CPDUs, lunch, and supplies for your classroom.

Registration open now!

Call 309-268-8700 for more information!

JOB ALERT‼️
We’re looking for a talented educator to 🚀 soar with our staff as a STEM facilitator! Become a part of our 20-year legacy, leading students in hands-on experiments. https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/heartland/jobs/4603075/stem-facilitator

Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College One of fewer than 50 Challenger Learning Centers around the world, our mission is to inspire generations in STEM.

What a great 7 weeks!👏
We hope our campers enjoyed our classes as much as we did! This summer was filled with brainstorming, experiments, research, and STEM.🔬🚀 Thank you to all who joined us, we hope to see these familiar faces again next summer!☀️
Make sure to stay up to date with fall Kids@Heartland classes. Check out our new registration system ~

https://heartland.augusoft.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=1010&

Blast off with our future astronauts!🚀

Our young space explorers recently tasted life as a real astronaut in Astro Adventures: K-2 summer camp. Campers suited up and explored realistic spacesuits, learning how each design element helps astronauts survive in the harsh elements of space! On day two, they built custom prototypes using balloons and weights to hover, travel slowly to the ceiling, and land on the floor without losing their “passengers.” On day three, they trained like astronauts, monitoring their heart rates to understand the physical demands of life in orbit.

Astrobiologists in training!🔬

Young campers became astrobiologists Tuesday and Wednesday in It’s Alive!: Grades K-2. They learned about the differences between micro- and macro-organisms. Then after exploring Birky Pond on our campus, they headed back to the lab to focus on the chemical reactions that make organisms grow. They even blasted off to space and observed objects that have organisms! Great job future astrobiologists!

Our Lil' Farmers had a big day for their last day of camp!🚜

Campers started their week by investigating farm animal adaptations such as teeth and diet. They used their knowledge to design and construct a model barn tailored to meet the needs of the animals. On their last day of camp, campers met real sheep from Mohr Four Season Farm. To the delight of campers, farmer Jill shared insights about caring for livestock and farm life. We’re proud of our Lil' Farmers curiosity and teamwork!🐑

Calling all future astrobiologists!

There's still time to sign up for It’s Alive!: Grades K-2, running July 16-17! Campers will explore all of the ways NASA scientists test for signs of life by using habitats we have right here on Earth! Students conduct experiments used to find organic life, compare scale sizes of living organisms, and describe celestial objects that may contain life. Look beyond what the eye can see with us!

Register here ~
https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=4594

The rain didn’t keep our rooftop farmers down!🚜🌽🔬
Our Crop Quest crew of 3rd-5th graders took on the mission of turning a rooftop into a thriving farm this week! The STEM learners explored the HCC fields, collecting soil to analyze its health and structure. Students tested samples for levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and documented their observations to determine crop rotation. Then, they focused on water systems, conservation, and other data. Finally, they created a five-year business plan for their rooftop farms, keeping a close eye on their budgets. Our farmers reached the rooftops with their teamwork and creativity!
See how you can join in our STEM and other learning adventures ~
https://www.campusce.net/heartland/category/category.aspx

🧪 Become science explorers with these hands-on Kids@Heartland STEM challenges.

Crop Quest: Grades 3-5
https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=5073

Play With Physics!: Grades 3-5
https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=5271

Playgrounds aren’t just for playing: They’re also great physics laboratories! Discover basic physics properties as you 🌀 Play With Physics!: Grades 3-5. 🌀 https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=5271

☀️ Sign up for classes taught by our STEM experts at the Challenger Learning Center 🐛 🧪 🔬

Coming up next week is:
Bug Safari for Grades K-2:
Embark on an adventure on our campus to discover the tiny, buzzing world of bugs. Learn to spot the superhero bugs that help our environment and the sneaky ones that cause a bit of trouble.
~ https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=4539
Bug Detectives for Grades 3-5
Solve the crime of the century — who stole Hunter Hawk's sandwich! Gather evidence from our usual six-legged suspects at Birky Pond. Examine different insects using catch-and-release methods, pitfall traps, nets, and migration models to help you identify the culprit and wrap up the case.
~ https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=4540

Can you transform your school’s rooftop into a thriving farm? Unearth the answers as you carry out hands-on chemistry and ecology experiments!

🌾 Crop Quest: Grades 3-5! 🌾 https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=5073

🎇 We're excited for the adventures to begin!☀️

With all the devastating weather we had this weekend across the country, this class could not be more timely. Learn how all this occurs from a veteran meteorologist.
Sign up below⬇️

Meet WMBD/WYZZ chief meteorologist Chris Yates and unearth the science behind tornadoes in 🌪️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀: 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝟲-𝟭𝟮. https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=5267

🌟 Welcome to our two amazing summer interns! 🌟
Joining us are Marissa Hagler from Bloomington, and Maura Coughlin from Normal. Both just wrapped up their orientation with CLC and are starting with our Grades K-2 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 camp in June!
Marissa is an Illinois Wesleyan University student and she will be student teaching at Unit 5’s Oakdale Elementary this fall, and finishing her degree in spring 2025, Maura just graduated from the University of Illinois and is gearing up to teach fourth grade at Field Elementary in Park Ridge.
Over the summer, Marissa and Maura will be getting hands-on experience assisting with camps, and working toward teaching STEM lessons drafted by our staff.
❗We're thrilled to have Marissa and Maura on board❗
Come meet them and join our exciting lineup of classes beginning with 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 for Grades K-2.
~ https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=4841
𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗨𝗦: Early Bird discount registration continues through Friday, May 24!

🥼 Put on your lab coat and unlock scientific discoveries with these Kids@Heartland classes!

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀: 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗞-𝟮
https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=4841

𝗘𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗞-𝟮
https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=4544

𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀: 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝟯-𝟱
https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=5272

🐦 Sign up before May 24 to receive the Early Bird discount.

🌿 Calling all K-2 nature adventurers! Join us for 𝗘𝗰𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 where our budding ecologists will help solve the mystery of why our dragon fruit plant didn't make fruit!
Campers will explore plants and flowers at Birky Pond, 🔍 use real science equipment to analyze samples, 🧠 work in teams to find explanations and solutions, and 🏡 design a unique greenhouse for uncommon Illinois plants and unexpected pollinators.
This hands-on camp is perfect for kids who love getting outdoors, discovering the natural world through experiments, and getting their hands dirty!
Sign up here: https://www.campusce.net/heartland/Course/Course.aspx?c=4544

Good luck to the KidWind Project challengers from Bement CUSD 5 in the nationals competition in Minnesota! Bement CUSD 5 won the first Central Illinois KidWind competition in February at our Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College.

JOB ALERT ‼️

We’re looking for a talented educator to soar 🚀 with our Challenger Learning Center staff as Associate Director! Become a part of our 20-year legacy as a STEM educator, developing curriculum and leading students in fun, hands-on experiments to build their STEM confidence.

Join us on the HCC campus! Learn more and apply ~ https://tinyurl.com/53kt4eba

Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College One of fewer than 50 Challenger Learning Centers around the world, our mission is to inspire generations in STEM.

Another round of applause for the eclipse☀️🌙 and its majestic views on campus along with our trivia rounds and CLC tour!

What a day! Check out some of the sights from the eclipse events on campus today!

We see a couple of astronauts. How awesome is this!

Another great article about the first Central Illinois KidWind Challenge at Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College and the winning teams! KidWind Project hits all the STEM subject areas.🌬️

Bement students build award-winning turbines, qualifying for the national level BEMENT, Ill. (WCIA) — In Piatt County, a group of middle school students have a lot to celebrate. Bement eighth graders are exploring the world of STEM in a whole new way by building their ow…

Future teachers and educators, join our fabulous team! Become a part of our 20-year legacy as a part-time STEM facilitator at our Challenger Learning Center! Go on space missions🚀, lead our students in STEM activities 🧪, and guide our virtual programs 🚀
Join us on the HCC campus! Learn more and apply ~https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/heartland/jobs/4413065/stem-facilitator

Look at the fun field trip District 87 Sheridan Sharks had at our learning center🚀! We offer a variety of STEM challenges throughout the year and during the summer and have planned a solar eclipse viewing event for April. Check out all the details ~

https://www.heartland.edu/clc/index.html

Thanks to WGLT for the wonderful coverage of our inaugural Central Illinois KidWind Challenge. We're already planning for next year's competition!

Bement CUSD 5Metcalf SchoolLincoln Elementary School District #27 Glendale Elementary, East Peoria

‘Eye opening’: Students learn renewable energy in competition at Heartland Community College Dozens of central Illinois students competed this week at the Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College to explore the world of renewable energy.