Challenger Learning Center $50,000 Grant Opportunity

12/14/2010

The Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky is located in Hazard.  This is the first one in Kentucky (there is now another one in Paducah)  The Challenger Learning Centers grew out of the Challenger explosion that killed Christa McCauliffe, the teacher-astronaut, and others.  The centers literally allow 6th graders to train for and to fly shuttle missions.  They must go through 6 weeks of training before they come to the center for a flight. The Center in Hazard, takes around 10,000 6th grade astronauts from Eastern Kentucky coal field schools “into space” each year.  (Science and math test scores have risen for these students by about 5% on state tests since the Center opened some 10+ years ago.

When the Center was just an idea and in the hopeful and planning stages, the UKREA Board contributed $5.00 per member from the UKREA District to help get the Center started.  It was one of their first, if not the first major contribution.  KEA members have been involved since the center began.  Several KEA members currently sit on the Board of Directors of the Hazard Center.  In fact, a retired KEA member, Alice Noble brought the idea to Hazard and got the ball rolling on the Center.

As with everything else, the Center and schools in the area are stressed for money and school systems are putting students in situations where they are having to raise money for trips to the Center where they  fly their missions.  The Center is trying to help by awarding “transportation scholarships” to classes that are having particular difficulty paying for the trip.  To this end, the Center has entered a grant contest sponsored by Pepsi, in an effort to win a $50,000 grant that it can then redistribute to classes needing money for their visit to the Center.

This grant is awarded to the organization with the most votes during the month of December.  In fact, there are 50 of them that will be awarded.  The Center needs your help in supporting them by placing a vote daily for their application.  By “hook and crook”, as described in the following instructions, one person can actually cast 4 votes per day.  Also, students can vote both from school and home.
We appreciate any help you can provide in assisting us with this grant.

Please remember to vote today and every day for The Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky's Pepsi Refresh Project to "Involve 2500 Students in an Innovative Science and Math Program."  Many schools are out because of snow which means that lots of students are not voting.  Please make sure you and all your friends vote in as many ways as possible every day.

1. Text Message:  Text 104476 in the body of a text message to Pepsi (73774).  You will receive a confirmation text immeidately after you send the text message.  Regular text charges apply.
2. Website:  Go to the http://www.refresheverything.com/challengerlearningcenterofkentucky website.  Once signed in search for "Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky" and click "Vote for this idea."  After voting you will have the option to share your vote via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks.
3. Facebook: Search for "Pepsi Refresh Voting App".  Search for "Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky" and click "Vote for this Idea" then "Confirm".  After voting please choose to "Share this Idea" on Facebook.
4. iPhone App:  Download Pepsi Refresh Ap from the App store.  Sign in.  Search "Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky".  Choose Challenger Center's idea then click "Vote for this Idea". After voting, on the same page choose your social network to share with your friends.   

You can use ALL 4 of these methods to vote every day!!!!

Don't forget that we have also established a partnership with an organization in Lexington that is eligible for a $250,000 Pepsi Refresh Project grant. The lady spearheading their project is a former Hazard native Terri Boggs, great-granddaughter of Dr. Eli Boggs. Their organization is "Visually Impaired Preschool Services" (VIPS) and they want to "Build a Preschool for Blind and Visually Impaired Children." While voting for the Challenger Center please also vote for this $250,000 project. They are also voting for our project.