FAQ

Challenger Center Hawai‘i
Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in the CCHI missions?

Teachers of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who complete a three-day Pre-Flight Training course may bring their students to participate in missions.

What is involved with the Pre-Flight Training course?

The three-day Pre-Flight Training course is held in the month of June. During the course, teachers learn the Challenger Center curriculum and experience an actual mission.  Teachers that have successfully completed the course will be certified.  Certified teachers will be able to download the curriculum to prepare the students with six to eight weeks of lessons before Mission Day.  Detailed lesson plans, supplemental materials, Standards and General Learner Outcome (GLO) alignments, crew assignments, post mission debriefing materials and assessments/reports are downloadable.

Do teachers need to attend the three-day Pre-Flight Training course each year?

As long as teachers continue to participate in the CCHI missions, they are not required to attend the course each year. If mission participation lapses five years or more, teachers are required to re-enroll in the Pre-Flight course to ensure they are up-to-date on the curriculum.

How is the mission curriculum developed?

CCHI integrates core resource materials from NASA and the Hawai‘i Department of Education. The curriculum is aligned to meet the national Common Core Standards for language arts, science, and mathematics.  The curriculum will be aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

What methods are used for assessing student progress in the core STEM areas of learning?

CCHI staff worked with district assessment personnel to develop and perfect the student evaluation process. CCHI staff members complete a comprehensive assessment and a progress report for each student, highlighting their accomplishments as well as the areas where improvement is needed. Pre- and post-mission tests have been developed for teachers to administer. Results are compared to measure growth in core concept areas.

Back at school, students evaluate their own performance during a debriefing session. Teachers can compare the self-evaluations with their personal observations and the CCHI evaluations for an exhaustive look at each student’s performance.

Are there accommodations for special needs students?

All students are welcome to participate in CCHI missions. The CCHI facility and curriculum are designed to meet the needs of all students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Accommodations are made for students on a case-by-case basis.

When does a teacher schedule a mission?

Eligible teachers are contacted in April to make reservations to participate in the Return to the Moon missions that are held in the fall. For the Rendezvous With Comet Halley missions, teachers are contacted in August and missions are scheduled after the Moon missions have been completed. All reservations are done on a first-come, first-served basis.


How much does it cost to participate in a mission?

There is no cost for Hawaii school groups (public, public charter, and private schools) to participate in Challenger missions.