CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER

Challenger Learning Center

Janaury 4, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND ATTENTION:
Contact:
Ida Thompson – 556-1815, 893-4886



CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER ASKS THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE 20 YEARS AFTER THE CHALLENGER ACCIDENT – JANUARY
28, 2006 AT 11:39 A.M.


The bells of First Baptist Church will toll at 11:39 a.m. 20 years after
the
Challenger accident in Florida occurred on January 28, 1985.   NASA
protocol will be
followed at a Memorial Service on January 28, 2006 honoring the astronauts
who
gave their lives for this mission on the Challenger Space Shuttle.  The
Memorial
Service will occur at the Challenger Learning Center, January 28 at
precisely 11:39 a.m.
Dignitaries, politicians and retired and active Military Officers will be
part of the invited guests to honor the Challenger crew.

Reggie McNair, son of Ron McNair, one of the Challenger astronauts, will be
the
honored guest speaker.  Mayor Marks, Dr. Norm Thagard and Lance Cameron
Horne
will also be a part of the ceremony.  The FSU Air Force ROTC Color Guard
will present colors.  Taps will be played by a member of the FSU School of
Music and the National
Anthem will be sung by one of the FSU Faculty.  Finally, as part of the
NASA protocol,
A Missing Man Fly Over will conclude the ceremony.  It will be a moving
tribute
to the Challenger Crew  - heroes of our nation.

We are asking the City of Tallahassee and surrounding communities to take a
moment
of silence in honor of the Challenger accident and it’s impact on our
society 20 years
later.  The Challenger Learning Centers were created as a result of the
accident
and in tribute to the astronauts and their families.  The Challenger
Learning Center mission is to interest students in careers in science and
math by participating in simulated space experiences in the  Challenger
Learning Center Space Shuttle Simulator.  The 20th Anniversary allows us to
pause and pay tribute to the astronauts who gave their lives and to remind
the public of the purpose and mission of the Challenger Learning Center.

For more information, please contact Ida Thompson, 893-4886 or 556-1815.