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Educators

Field Trips & Funding

"No one can teach science like the Challenger Learning Center!"

A field trip at the Challenger Learning Center takes the traditional field trip to the next level.  It’s not about walking through an exhibit – looking and reading static information. It’s about being immersed in the experience – being assigned to a job, working as a team, communicating, problem solving and applying math, language, science and technology skills to complete a high energy and exciting task.

The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana provides programs for preschool students to adults.  All of our programs integrate the excitement of space exploration with the fun of educational simulations. Our School programs are all standards based and developed by subject matter experts and teachers who understand the importance of promoting 21st Century Learning Skills and preparing an inspired and engaged group of future leaders, workers and thinkers.

Take a look at our programs to see what will work for you and your students.  Wouldn’t it be great to hear your students say what we’ve heard countless students say?  “Challenger Learning Center of NWI was the best field trip ever!”

Below are the booking dates for the 2024 / 2025 school year.  

Endowed Schools*: March 1st, 2024

All Other Schools: March 8th, 2024

Programs can be reserved throughout the school year by calling (219) 989-3250.  Due to high demand, field trip dates will become limited the farther into the school year one waits to book.  To have access to the premium time slots and have first pick of dates, please book as early as possible with our Financial Manager, Karen Cearing.

*ENDOWED SCHOOLS PLEASE NOTE: The CLCNWI Board of Directors may have elected to restructure the endowment partnership with your school district. These changes may affect how your district handles your CLCNWI field trips. Your superintendents have been notified in writing and have the details of the changes.

If you need a letter to present to your school district or administrator to justify a field trip to Challenger Learning Center for a Simulated Space Mission, click here for a sample letter that you can edit to meet your needs:


Challenger-Columbia Teacher Grant

The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana partners with local businesses and organizations to assist with supplemental funding in support of STEM programming.These funds can help you offset the cost of your scheduled program(s).

Accepting Applications:   The Grant Application is CLOSED. The application window will open again on Friday, May 1st, at 8:00 am.

Eligibility: Open to school groups that have already booked their program(s) with Challenger for the 2024 - 2025 school year.

Awards Announced: Schools will be notified the status of their grant application no later than August 2024.

Requirements: 

  • Download and complete the Challenger-Columbia Teacher Grant Application (MS Word document)
  • Email: Karen Cearing, Finance Manager/Sales Coordinator at cearing@clcnwi.com
  • Include the Subject Line: Challenger-Columbia Teacher Grant Application for (INSERT SCHOOL NAME)
  • Attach your completed application as an attachment

If you should have any questions concerning the Challenger-Columbia Teacher Grant application/process, please contact our office at (219) 989-3250.   

GRANT WINDOW IS CLOSED. The application window will open on FRIDAY, MAY 1ST, at 8:00 AM.

*Note: If you fax or mail your application from us and do not hear that we have received it, please follow up. ONLY follow up if you have not heard that we received your application ONLY if you MAILED OR FAXED IT over to us.  If it was emailed to us, we did receive it and you will hear from us in August. Thank you!


Make the most of your time on Purdue University Northwest's campus with an optional field trip extension with the PNW Tour team!

You can stop at the campus cafeteria for lunch with your class, speak with STEM professionals and students, and show your students academic opportunities they can have in the future!

Arrange today with PNW Admissions at (219) 989-4160 or via email tour@pnw.edu.

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