Eastern Ohio students experience learning beyond the classroom at Challenger Learning Center

We have passionate educators on staff. Ohio University Eastern Early Childhood and Elementary Education The program explores the realm of space science.

Under the guidance of eastern ohio Adjunct Professor Jane Neuenschwander says her students are discovering the benefits of simulation-based learning at the Challenger Learning Center.

Challenger Learning Center for Space Science and Education at West Virginia University is a leading STEM education nonprofit that develops and delivers simulation-based STEM programs to students. Challenger Learning Center And in the classroom too. The Learning Center offers adult and student learners the opportunity to board the space station and complete missions aligned with corporate missions in the roles of astronauts, scientists, and engineers. Successful missions require critical thinking, leadership, collaboration, and problem solving. The center acts as a conduit for experiential learning, offering a hands-on approach that goes beyond traditional education.

Mr. Neuenschwander is a respected educator with a rich history of education and curriculum development and has been instrumental in incorporating simulation-based learning into the curriculum of the Ohio University Eastern Early Childhood and Elementary Program. When asked about the benefits of this approach, she emphasized the importance of her active involvement.

“Students who are engaged and put energy into learning own the knowledge they acquire,” she said. “Active learning is the key.”

For Neuenschwander, the journey of teaching the scientific method was NASA This began as an effort to diversify her teaching strategies. With a background that ranges from her elementary education to creating curriculum for NASA's “Classroom of the Future” program, she found herself drawn to innovative approaches that make learning tangible. I did.

“My role as a professor is to model many of these teaching approaches and allow future teachers to experience them for themselves. That makes learning real,” she explains. did.

Effective instruction at any grade level requires a variety of teaching methods. One such method is simulation-based learning, which actively engages students and engages them deeply with the subject matter. Mr. Neuenschwander's educational work at NASA demonstrates this commitment to a variety of educational techniques. Mr. Neuenschwander uses his experience in elementary education and curriculum development for his NASA Classroom of the Future program to advocate innovative strategies to make learning more engaging.

“My role as a professor is to demonstrate different teaching approaches and give future teachers first-hand experience. This approach makes learning more authentic,” she emphasized, adding that simulation-based emphasized the transformative impact of hands-on learning experiences such as lessons and problems. Based learning (PBL).

Eastern Ohio student Lexi Stead found herself in an environment that piqued her curiosity and expanded her understanding of space science.

“Being able to visit the Challenger Learning Center and work with the students was a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and understanding of space science and exploration,” she said. “The Challenger Learning Center offers a variety of ways for students to extend their learning and see it in action.”

Ohio University student Tera Parrish echoed Stead's sentiments about the experience.

“Going to the Challenger Center created a simulation that truly immersed our students in a real-life space science and exploration experience,” Parrish said. “This new experience expands my resources as a future educator. My interest in STEM and science in general has increased since this trip.”

At the Challenger Learning Center, students use critical thinking and teamwork to navigate the complexities of space missions. Each task undertaken was a step towards a collective goal, fostering a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment.

“Students are able to step out of their comfort zone for a little while as they work as a team to complete a given task,” Parrish reflected. “Finally, their contributions will be recognized by all the successes they achieved while learning and having fun.”

The Challenger Learning Center experience embodies experiential learning and provides insight into the endless possibilities of education outside of the traditional classroom. As students progress through their academic and career journeys, such experiences serve as a guiding light, guiding them toward a future driven by curiosity and creativity.