By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, Mo. – Space exploration is the theme of a new hands-on educational center set to open Monday in St. Louis County.
The Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis will provide math and science programming for children and adults. Featuring a simulated space station and mission control, the center is designed to teach problem-solving skills during a simulated mission to Mars.
"This is teaching real science, real math; teamwork, communication those are practical and very important skills that everyone needs, and especially kids as they're growing up. And we want them to be excited about learning and about science, and this is a great way to get them excited," said Tasmyn Scarl Front, the center's director
The center is one of 49 around the world founded by the families of the seven astronauts lost in the 1986 Challenger disaster.