Challenger Learning Center gets $100K grant, headed for Mars

A Bangor-based educational center is ready to help local kids continue exploring space.

A sizable donation will help.

The Challenger Learning Center is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Some of the equipment is that old too and needs updating.

They recently found out they're getting $100K from the Davis Family Foundation.

Their goal is to raise double that.

Uses for the money include sending kids on a new journey from mission control...

"So it's a mission to Mars for the students of Maine," said Executive Director Kristen Hibbard. "But this is another part to it we've got that $100,000 but the goal is really to raise $200,000. So, we are really using this $100,000 as a kick off to raise the final part so we can make sure that all the systems get upgraded correctly to a really great level to continue for another 15 years."

They've been working with NASA to finalize the new Mars mission.

For more info or to donate go to astronaut.org.