MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) -- Gov. Kay Ivey joined hundreds of northeast Alabamians to help break ground on the brand new Challenger Learning Center. It's the first of it's kind in the state.
While it'll be built in Etowah County, state leaders said students across the state will benefit from this new stem-focused school. With big dreams, Alabama students need big support. And that's what Ivey hopes to give those who attend the Challenger Learning Center.
"Success in one part of the state lifts up the rest of the state. So this is a good thing for northeast Alabama, but it's a great thing for the state of Alabama," said Ivey.
The facility will offer a space simulator and learning center for middle and high school students. State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said it will help them see STEM in a new way.
"It's gonna be very hands on. Interactive kinds of experiments for young people. And I hope that we see some people who get inspired from this, become scientists and engineers, and land jobs here in Alabama in our future economy," Mackey said.
Dr. June Scobee Rodgers also hopes young people are inspired by the project. She started the Challenger Center in honor of her late husband-Richard "Dick" Scobee, who died in the 1986 Challenger Shuttle Explosion. He was the commander of this mission.
"And I said, 'can we?', I said 'Can... we continue the teacher's mission? Can we do that for Christa? And my sweet husband, the commander? And all of that wonderful crew?' And we said, 'We can do it!'" remarked Rodgers.
Rodgers encouraged students in attendance to take advantage of the facility. "One of you will be the age to step; the first person on Mars. So, study," she said.
Joe Taylor, Mayor of Rainbow City, said the project will be complete in about a year.