When all the stars align . . .
Challenger Learning Center at the SAC Scobee Planetarium
Overview: February 17, 2012
2012
June: The
Brooks Heritage Foundation once again shows its support for the CLC by their
generous donation for STEM scholarships, to underwrite the first missions flown
at the Center and to provide for a Teacher of the Year Award.
May: Ground is
broken for the renovation of the Scobee Planetarium and construction of the
Challenger Learning Center.
Speakers included SAC President Dr. Robert Zeigler, Alamo Colleges
Chancellor Dr. Bruce Leslie, Mike Beldon of the Alamo Colleges Foundation
Board, Blakely Fernandez of the Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees, Pam Peterson
of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and Jim Perschbach,
advisory committee chair.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Vice President of College Services David
Mrizek and Planetarium Coordinator Bob Kelley joined the speakers to turn the
first shovel of dirt for the project.
SAC leadership and consultants begin the process of
recruiting a campaign committee.
All members of SAC’s Executive Team confirm their support of
the CLC through personal contributions to the project.
April: A Challenger
Learning Center Advisory Committee is formed. Industry representatives, community leaders and education
professionals will advise and direct the programming of the CLC to ensure it is
meeting the needs of the city and students. Jim Perschbach, former chair of the Greater San Antonio
Chamber of Commerce Aerospace Committee, agrees to chair the committee.
March (TBD): Scobee Planetarium at San
Antonio College (SAC) scheduled to close temporarily for renovations;
simultaneously, the college will progress with plans to add a Challenger
Learning Center (CLC) for Space Science Education.
January-February:
College leadership informing city and county leaders of the project;
cultivating prospective partners, donors and campaign volunteers; and
continuing to plan fundraising, determine budgets and timelines.
2011
December: Dr. June Scobee Rodgers agrees to be honorary campaign chair.
November:
Consultants present feasibility study final report based on responses
from 48 interviews with community leaders, college and/or previous CLC
donors, and individuals from the aerospace and technology industries, as
well as college employees and students. Study determines that $7
million goal is attainable and SAC is a great location for a CLC.
July-September: SAC works with consultants to conduct feasibility study.
July:
Alamo Colleges secures $60 million in Alamo Community College District
Maintenance Tax Notes for improvements at its five colleges. A total
of $5 million is allocated to renovate the SAC Planetarium.
April:
SAC leadership works with Alamo Colleges Foundation to develop
fundraising plans, which includes hiring consultants for a feasibility
study to determine if a capital campaign would be achievable.
March:
SAC leadership meet with college faculty and representatives from area
school districts and Region 20 to determine interest.
January: Consultants deliver a business plan showing the project would be sustainable.
2010
August:
Brooks Aerospace Foundation formally donates $30,000 to begin
architecture concepts to add a Challenger Learning Center to the Scobee
Planetarium at SAC.
SAC and the Alamo Colleges make significant
investments for consultants to develop a business plan to determine
project sustainability, and architecture plans and design documents for a
renovated Planetarium.
May: An unsolicited, unexpected
Express-News editorial declares San Antonio College IS the “perfect home
for the Challenger Learning Center,” and it names the children of San
Antonio as the “biggest beneficiaries.”
April: CLC (national)
and Brooks Aerospace Foundation (local) bring idea to relocate the
Challenger Learning Center of San Antonio to SAC.
Contact @ SAC:
David Mrizek, Vice President of College Services
dmrizek@alamo.edu or (210) 486-0937
February 17, 2012
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) link to guest bloggers.
