BlackboardBorland On Duty At Challenger
When science teacher Susan Borland reported to work this week, she embarked on a exciting new mission: the launch of the education component for Tallahassee's Challenger Learning Center.
At a press conference held recently, School Superintendent Bill Montford, Challenger Learning Center Director, Rick Fisher and Dr. Norm Thagard, Director of college Relations for the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, announced Borland's selection as the local Challenger Center's first Flight Director. Although the center isn't expected to welcome it's first students until the spring of 2000, Mrs. Borland's assignment has already begun.
While $6.25 million Center is under construction, borland will be coordinating the integration of the Cahllenger Center program into the district's middle school math and science curriculum. While the award-winning program is closely correlated to the national science standards, Mrs. Borland will work to relate the program to Florida's Sunshine State Standards. another primary responsibility for Borland will be developing in-service materials and providing "pre-mission" training for middle school teachers throughout the district so that they can maximize the challenger learning experience for their students, Fisher said.
The Challenger Center will provide exceptional hands on instruction for local sixth graders. Another 10,000-15,000 middle school students from surrounding counties of south Georgia, north Florida and southeast Alabama are also expected to visit the Center each year. "In addition to local students and those in surrounding counties," predicts Fisher, "the Challenger Center will become a major attraction which will draw visitors throughout the state and beyond."
While still an employee of Leon County Schools, Borland will be housed at the Center's temporary offices adjacent to the construction site at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. It is anticipated that a second Associate Flight Director will be selected to join Borland in the fall to assist in coordinating and delivering the Center's educational programs.
Since coming to Tallahassee in 1995, Borland has been teaching at Deerlake Middle School. An experienced professional with more than 13 years of classroom experience, Borland is described by her colleagues as an energetic and motivational teacher whose students "are nuts about her." Borland says she'll miss her students, but she is extremely excited about this unusual professional opportunity.
The Challenger Center will provide exceptional hands on instruction for local sixth graders. Another 10,000-15,000 middle school students from surrounding counties of south Georgia, north Florida and southeast Alabama are also expected to visit the Center each year. "In addition to local students and those in surrounding counties," predicts Fisher, "the Challenger Center will become a major attraction which will draw visitors throughout the state and beyond."
While still an employee of Leon County Schools, Borland will be housed at the Center's temporary offices adjacent to the construction site at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. It is anticipated that a second Associate Flight Director will be selected to join Borland in the fall to assist in coordinating and delivering the Center's educational programs.
Since coming to Tallahassee in 1995, Borland has been teaching at Deerlake Middle School. An experienced professional with more than 13 years of classroom experience, Borland is described by her colleagues as an energetic and motivational teacher whose students "are nuts about her." Borland says she'll miss her students, but she is extremely excited about this unusual professional opportunity.
The Challenger Learning Center will ultimately include a space mission simulator, a mock-up of mission control, a space station laboratory, exhibit hall, planetarium and observatory.
For additional information contact the Challenger Center at 410-6425.
