Fall 2012

CLCST announces change of command

Every enterprise – business, school, nonprofit, community – undergoes a change of leadership from time to time. That’s exactly what happened at Challenger Center for Science & Technology in June. Steve Otten, who served as executive director for nearly eight years, resigned to accept the executive director position at United Way for McHenry County. Realizing the best person to take

the helm was already on staff, the board hired Chantel Madson as the new director with the transition taking place July 1.

Charie Zanck, CLCST board president, said, “We appreciate Steve’s commitment to the center and its mission of educating children and inspiring them to pursue education in the fields of math, science and technology. He worked hard to preserve the integrity of the program and the facility during his nearly eight years with Challenger.”

Zanck went on to say, “We are excited about Chantel taking the reins as our new director. She has been involved with our center for four years which has proven to be a strong benefit in making a very smooth transition.”

Looking back on his years at CLCST, Otten said, “I really enjoyed my years at Challenger – especially working with the kids. I’m not one for statistics, but I know more than 60,000 children were served during my tenure. And that’s what I’m most proud of.”

In her first four years at CLCST, Chantel has taken the lead in developing and enhancing programs, including summer camps, the Scout merit badge accreditation, Family Science Nights and Mission to Mars initiative.

“I was fortunate to have Steve as my mentor,” Madson said. “My years working with him prepared me for this new and exciting opportunity of doing what I love – providing educational experiences enhanced with ‘WOW’ experiences for children and youth.”

Zanck added, “Chantel’s knowledge, energy and enthusiasm for Challenger is evident to all who come in contact with her, and we have already seen benefits of her leadership in moving us forward. This is an exciting time for Challenger and for all the children who will visit the center this year and in the future.”

See the Commander’s Mission Log, page 6, for more information about Chantel.

Continued on page 5

MCCF provides funds for 28 Harvard summer campers

On the first day of this summer’s Harvard Camp at the Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology, 28 children came together, many meeting for the first time.

After five days of teaming up to build rockets, battle robotic rovers and run space missions, they knew each other well, making it hard to say goodbye. Because their CLCST experiences were challenging and memorable, they promised to come back together as a group next summer.

In its fourth year, the week long camp is open to underserved Harvard children ages 10 to 14 and is funded by a $9,000 grant from the McHenry County Community Foundation. Harvard School District 50 assists CLCST in encouraging students to participate.

Send CLCST your email addressTechnology is one of CLCST’s cornerstones. Our goal is to provide information to our supporters and donors at least quarterly and maybe even monthly. Sending The Communicator twice a year is no longer cost efficient, so we are transitioning to an e-newsletter, which requires gathering email addresses. Executive Director Chantel Madson is asking every reader to take a moment right now to email her at cmadson@challengerillinois.org. Thank you.

2 THE COMMUNICATOR, FALL 2012

Friend oF CLCST donaTeS even More

Larry O’Connor, owner of Other World Computing, Woodstock, center, presents a $12,500 check to Steve Otten, executive director, in June. O’Connor issued a challenge in January, agreeing to match dollar for dollar funds raised in six months up to $12,500. CLCST with the help of businesses and individuals met the challenge. Chantel Madson, incoming CLCST director, also was present. The funds will be used for programming. In addition, OWC generously donated two Apple Mac mini computers.

Challenger’s Wish List With as many as 60 elementary school students, mostly fifth-graders, working and learning at CLCST each school day, materials and equipment need to be replaced and new items purchased to enhance their experiences. CLCST’s current needs include:• LCD TV for the transport room• New carpet for the multipurpose room (Observation Deck): • New flooring for the entry• Repair exhibits in the EdVenture Center ($500) • Repair counter tops in Space and Mission Control ($1,200) • Vests for volunteers• Challenger decals (four – one for each front door)Wish list items can be funded in part of in full or can be in-kind donations. For information, call Chantel at 815-338-7722 or email cmadson@challengerillinois.

$1 to $99:Mr. and Mrs. Randy ErwinMr. and Mrs. Barry LambGay RemichMr. and Mrs. Norman StevelerMr. and Mrs. Carl MickEd DucettTom HardingRon JarvisAnne Marie BrownMr. and Mrs. Karl Jung

$100 to $499Mr. and Mrs. Sid EdingerEric BurrellPat MoreheadNoel ThelanderBob PierceTom Berg

Heartfelt thanksCLCST is grateful to the following businesses, groups and individuals for generously donating funds and/or goods and services to CLCST:

Launch-Land-Live on Mars with iPadsThis school year, 16 classes from Algonquin, Barrington, Batavia and

Crystal Lake middle schools will participate in the second year of the Mission to Mars program – developed in a partnership with NASA, The Museum of Science and Industry, CLCST and the Challenger center in Normal. This year is exciting because the schools at CLCST will team up via iPads with Chicago Public School students at MSI. The students at CLCST and the students at MSI will work in eight four-student teams. Each team will have two iPads. Using the iPads and video conferencing, the students will work cooperatively to launch, land or live on Mars.

NASA experts from Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., the Johnson Space Center, Houston, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will join the video conference to share their stories of working for NASA as well as their expertise in the areas of launching, landing or living on Mars.

During the two-hour mission, students will practice the technical-communication, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills needed for the jobs of the future.

Maureen Otten, CLCST lead flight director, said, “I am so excited to see the students communicating with Chicago Public School students with the new iPads. The iPads will enhance the program, because the students will be able to increase the communication portion of the mission which is so very important to team work.”

In addition, apps have been developed for some of the learning experiences, and the students will work in teams using the iPads to complete them.

Mission to Mars is funded by a NASA grant, secured by MSI. The four-year grant program, which will continue through the 2014-15 school year, covers the costs for the participating schools and students. Last year, eight classes of sixth-graders from Woodstock School District 200 participated. Twenty-three missions are scheduled for the 2013-2014 school year.

Larry, O’Connor, Woodstock, center

Melissa CooneyLuke JohnsosKara CurranVirginia and Rich PrybellNissan ForkliftCarol and Glen Volkening

$500 to $1,000Dino Gius Rotary Club of Woodstock - MorningRotary Club of Woodstock – Noon

$2,500 to $5,000Aptar Group Charitable FoundationJean and Bill RinnCheryl and Jim Wormley

Goods and Services Wells Manufacturing – nine computer monitorsErich Kraemer, WavTek Technology Systems – learning materialsAmerican Community Bank Ridgeview Electric The Woodstock Independent Gifts help ensure that CLCST will continue providing inspiring programs for the youth of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. For information about donating, call Chantel at 815-338-7722 or email cmadson@challengerillinois.org.

Brothers Blake, 18, and Brandon, 16, Krause of Spring Grove are seasoned CLCST volunteers after completing their second summer as camp counselors. They are an amazing team, with Blake sharing his sincere excitement and interest in science, math and rocketry and Brandon excelling at interacting with the campers and engaging them in the hands-on building and launching of rockets.

Blake and Brandon are members of the Fox Valley Rocketeers. At a meeting in 2011, longtime CLCST supporter John Kohler asked if anyone would be available to help with CLCST’s two summer rocketry camps. Blake and Brandon volunteered, and they are glad they did. The CLCST staff is glad they did, too.

“I thought, It’s rockets, and it’s helping kids,” Blake said. “And it’s been really fun.”

Brandon said, “My biggest motivation was going and working with the kids. The volunteer experience was really good.” The two summers of volunteering also have helped Brandon learn to speak in public and develop patience and organizational and leadership skills.

After volunteering at the two 2011 rocketry camps, Blake and Brandon asked to return as counselors for all camps in 2013. “They were model camp counselors – Blake inspiring the kids and Brandon making topics like rules and regulations for a safe rocket launch interesting and fun,” Madson said. So of course, they were welcomed on staff for two more weeks and asked to return as counselors for the same four camps in 2012.

The summer of 2011 wasn’t Blake and Brandon’s first encounter with CLCST. When in fifth grade, they came to CLCST with their Richmond Grade School class.

Science and math have been Blake’s favorite subjects for a long time. Two years ago, he joined a Team America Rocketry Challenge group sponsored by CLCST. The team placed 22nd at nationals. He continued on to create and lead a NASA Student Launch Initiative team last year. Blake is

currently a freshman at University of Alabama in Hunstville, majoring in aerospace engineering.

Brandon, who is a junior at Richmond-Burton High School, is currently leading a NASA Student Launch Initiative team, this is his second year working with the NASA challenge. The team’s project this year is building a rocket that is kept upright while flying because it carries a gyroscope. He plans to go to college and earn a degree in mechanical engineering.

Brandon already is looking forward to the 2013 CLCST camps. Blake’s summer plans depend in part upon what summer opportunities present themselves during his freshman year college.

“The campers really looked up to Blake and Brandon,” Madson said. “They are terrific role models and volunteers”

CLCST offers a variety of volunteer opportunities year round, some working directly with children and others in clerical and administrative areas. For information, call Chantel at 815-338-7722 or email cmadson@challengerillinois.org.

Blake and Brandon Krause fuel and ignite campers’ experiences

THE COMMUNICATOR, Fall 2012 3

Build an eco-Bot oct. 10 at CLCST

Kids of all ages are invited to participate in the Eco-Bot Challenge from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 10, at CLCST. The

event is sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension in McHenry County as part of 4-H National Youth Science Day. Participants will assemble their own Eco-Bots and explore how robots can be used to preserve and protect the environment. The event will offer a glimpse into the future of science, technology, engineering and math.

The fee is $5. Payment and registration can be completed online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?registrationID=7148. For information, call Janine Heidtke at 815-338-4747.

Scouts can earn Space exploration merit badge at CLCST

Boy Scouts can earn their Space Exploration merit badge in just one day at CLCST. To fulfill the badge requirements, the Scouts will build, launch and recover model rockets; research the elements needed for the success of a space station; and design an orbiting space station.

Workshops are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekend days during the school year. Each workshop must have a minimum of eight Scouts, and the cost per Scout is $35. To schedule a workshop, call 815-338-7722 or email cmadson@challengerilllinois.org.

Students from the following schools completed successful missions January to June 2012:St. Margaret Mary Catholic School – AlgonquinWestfield Elementary School – AlgonquinAntioch Elementary School – AntiochEmmons – AntiochSt. Anne Catholic School – BarringtonImmanuel Lutheran School – BelvidereMeehan Elementary School – BelvidereWashington Academy – BelvidereTwin Groves Middle School – Buffalo GroveHoward B. Thomas Grade School – BurlingtonCary School District – CaryRuben Salazar Bilingual Center –ChicagoPrairie Grove Elementary School – Crystal LakeSt. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School – Crystal LakeFriends of Gifted Program – Crystal LakeImmanuel Lutheran School –DundeeElgin Academy – ElginKishwaukee Elementary School – Garden PrairieGeneva Middle School – South GenevaGeneva Middle School – North GenevaHoly Family Catholic School – InvernessJohnsburg Junior High School – JohnsburgSt. John the Baptist Catholic School – JohnsburgSt. Joseph Catholic Academy – Kenosha,WIOlson Park Elementary School – Machesney ParkMarengo Middle School – MarengoRiley School – MarengoMontini Catholic School – McHenryValley View School – McHenryStevenson Elementary School – Melrose ParkSt. Mary of the Annunciation School – MundeleinPlano Middle School – Plano

4 THE COMMUNICATOR, Fall 2012

Aurora University - Woodstock Center, located in the CLCST building, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as graduate certificate programs. Adult degree completion programs are offered in business administration and nursing (RN to BSN). Graduate degree programs are offered in education, nursing and business. Graduate certificate programs are

offered in addictions certification and leadership. We also offer the Bilingual/ESL endorsement program for teachers.

AU Woodstock Center offers convenient evening, weekend and online class options. Courses are scheduled year–round, most in eight-week modules. Personalized advising and program planning are available to guide students throughout their academic experiences.

To learn about our undergraduate and graduate programs in business, please join us at our upcoming open house:

Richmond Grade School – RichmondRockford Christian School – RockfordRockford Lutheran Academy – RockfordPark School Campus – Round LakeCorron Elementary School – S. ElginSpring Grove Elementary School – Spring GroveBell Graham Elementary School – St. CharlesFerson Creek Elementary School – St. CharlesFox Ridge Elementary School – St. CharlesRichmond Intermediate School – St. CharlesSt. Patrick Catholic School – St. CharlesWasco Elementary School – WascoFaith Christian/Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran schools – Williams BayHarrison Elementary School – Wonder LakeGreenwood Elementary School – WoodstockMary Endres Elementary School – WoodstockPrairiewood Elementary School – WoodstockSt. Mary Catholic School – WoodstockWestwood Elementary School – Woodstock

aU - Woodstock Center announces fall open houseBusiness Programs

Open House (drop-in event)Thursday, Oct. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m.

AU - Woodstock Center, 222 Church St.,

WoodstockFor more information, call 815-337-6051,

email WCadmission@aurora.edu or visit aurora.edu/Woodstock.

THE COMMUNICATOR, Fall 2012 5

ignite Your imagination!

Family Science nights resumeFamily Science Nights at the Challenger Learning Center are an opportunity for families to share an evening with each other. The nights start with a Napoli Pizza dinner followed by a fun, hands-on activity. Cost is $12 per person and includes soda, pizza and the activity (unless otherwise noted). Programs run from 6 to 8 p.m.

rocket night with theFox valley rocketeers!Friday, Oct. 5, 2012Join this club of model rocket experts as they talk about the basics of rocketry and building rockets. Each family will receive one model rocket and the supplies to build the rocket at the event. Extra rockets can be ordered in advance for an extra charge. All rocket builders will then be invited to a future launch date with the Rocketeers to see their creations fly!

extreme Battle BotsFriday, Nov. 9, 2012Families work as a team to engineer and construct a Battle Bot capable of pushing competing Bots of the battle platform! This has become a very popular evening that pits family against family in an effort to become the reigning champions!

Family Mission night, Comet missionFriday, Dec. 7, 2012Flying simulated space missions is what we do best at Challenger. Join the Commanders at the Center in our attempt to Rendezvous with a comet. Work with your children and grandchildren as we attempt to locate a comet, build a probe, and launch the probe into the tail of the comet. This is our most popular school program that we fly all school year long. This event fills up fast do register early!

astronomy for BeginnersFriday, Jan. 18, 2013 Northwest Suburban Astronaut member Bob Karas will present “Astronomy for Beginners” (Experienced astronomers more than welcome). Telescopes will be provided for viewing outside after the indoor presentation if weather permits. The First Quarter Moon, Jupiter and the Great Orion Nebula (M42) will exceed any newcomers’ expectations along with the Househead Nebula, the Flame Nebula and a host of open star clusters. Come join us as we see what is really out there!

extreme Battle BotsFriday, Feb. 22, 2013Are you a reigning champion from the fall program? Did you enjoy the fall program so much that you want to come again? Do you wish you would have built a better bot? Families work as a team to engineer and construct a Battle Bot capable of pushing competing Bots of the battle platform! This has become a very popular evening that pits family against family in an effort to become the reigning champions!

HArvArD CAmP, Continued from page 1 “Outside of the pool and a couple of other things, there’s not

much for these kids to do here in the summer,” said Harvard Junior High School social worker Steve Torres, who works with the CLCST staff each summer. “Without the grant, many of the kids couldn’t go to the Challenger. We have kids go back for consecutive years.”

This is the first year, the grant provided bus transportation to and from Harvard. In past years, Torres said he and other District 50 school staff pitched in and drove buses to transport the campers.

The campers developed critical thinking, technical, reading and team-building skills as they participated in a variety of space-related activities. Working in teams, they designed their own Battlebots -– remote-controlled rovers. It was the favorite activity for many campers. Teams cheered each other on as their rovers battled, and everyone congratulated the winning team.

That did not surprise Torres, who said, “The kids here are so

awesome. Everyone pulls together with the older kids helping the younger kids.”

With the help of youth camp counselors Blake and Brandon Krause, both expert rocket builders and members of the Fox Valley Rocketeers, campers built and launched their own rockets.

With much anticipation, the group ran the space mission Rendezvous With a Comet, but unable to replace the oxygen filter in time aboard the simulated spacecraft, the mission was aborted. A day of team-building activities followed, with each “astronaut” interviewing for a position on the next mission. Better prepared for the second mission, the team successfully found their comet.

The CLCST summer camp makes a lasting impression on the Harvard campers, and they are proud of their Challenger experiences. “One kid, two years after going to camp, was wearing the (Challenger) T-shirt to school,” Torres said.

Preregistration is required. Please call 815-338-7722

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid Algonquin, IL 60102

Permit No. 13

222 Church Street Woodstock, IL 60098

(815) 338-7722 www.challengerillinois.org

Commander’s Mission Log

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September 2011 to August 2012. The numbers speak volumes about the gem we have right here in Woodstock:255 – school missions flown6,722 – students who flew school missions8 – Mars missions250 – students who flew Mars missions142 – summer campers34 – Scouts who earned Space Exploration merit badges320 – children and adults who participated in family science nights130 – participants in other events, including birthday parties

STAFFThe learning experiences for the 7,598 young people are coordinated by the outstanding CLCST staff: Maureen Otten, lead flight director; Sherry Mesick, LeeAnn Gill, Emily Gibson, Barb Pagano, Brenda Gorski, Marilyn Winton, Judy Poytner, Lisa Kamps, commanders. The staff is assisted by a crew of loyal, dedicated volunteers.