From tragedy to a triumph for learning

January 28, 2011

In January 1986, NASA launched the first teacher towards space.

In January 1986, Challenger exploded and the world stood transfixed by the tragedy, the first of its kind in the US space program.

Much has and will be written about the mission and its horrible end. The historical record is available on NASA’s website. A case can be made that NASA didn’t learn much from the incident or at the very least slipped into complacency once again, resulting in the Columbia disaster 17 years later, almost to the day.

So why would a learning blog offer a post about Challenger?

Because I’m inspired by what came from the tragedy. Because I’m awed by a vision of learning so powerful that it has literally affected millions of people. Because just three months after the explosion, the families of those seven astronauts turned an incomprehensible tragedy into an inspiring and enduring learning legacy.

Rather than merely cope with their loss privately, the families of Challenger’s astronauts created a living memorial to their loved ones. Like a phoenix, the mythical bird reborn from fire and ash, part of Challenger’s intended mission – to bring the excitement of space science to a new generation through live “lessons from space” – lives on in the Challenger Center for Space Science Education.

The Challenger Center was incorporated on April 25, 1986 with a mighty vision. Since then, more than 4,000,000 K-12 students have benefited from the center’s activities. Currently, each year, 500,000 students and 6,000 educators participate annually in its programs in 30,000 schools and 48 learning centers in the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Pretty powerful stuff. And it all started with the vision of seven grieving families.

Does your organization have a learning vision? You no doubt offer learning opportunities to stakeholders…what vision drives them? What impact does your work have on those who attend your webinars, conferences, self-paced eLearning and other learning programs? What impact could it have, if your vision went beyond the boundaries of your organization?

Spend a minute in silence today to honor the memory of the Challenger 7. Visit the Challenger Center’s website  to be inspired by what a powerful vision can make happen, and consider getting involved and/or making a donation. I plan to.

Then think, “what if…?” for your own work, and imagine what could be.

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