Jax State Partners with Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama to Advance STEAM Education
10/24/2025
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — After the Jacksonville State University (Jax State) Board of Trustees approved an agreement with Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama to establish the Jacksonville State University STEAM Institute – Home of Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama at its October meeting, the two formally established their partnership on Monday during a signing ceremony held in Angle Hall on the Jax State campus.
Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. and Tony Smith, chairman of Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama Board, signed the memorandum of understanding before a large gathering of representatives from both organizations.
Located in Rainbow City, the center will be the only Challenger Learning Center in Alabama, serving as a regional hub for innovation, discovery, and workforce development. As part of the international Challenger Center network, founded by the families of the Challenger STS-51L crew, the facility will provide hands-on STEAM education, simulated space missions, and career-connected learning experiences that inspire curiosity and prepare students for success in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Through immersive, space-themed missions and engineering labs, students will apply classroom knowledge in real-world contexts—enhancing problem-solving, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills. Programs will align with Alabama’s K-12 teaching standards and include opportunities to earn junior microcredential badges in robotics, engineering, and other STEM disciplines. The center will serve students in grades 5–8 across 12 counties in Northeast Alabama: Etowah, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Jefferson, Marshall, Randolph, St. Clair, and Talladega.
Established in 2022, Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama grew from a regional Advisory Council led by 15 business and community leaders committed to advancing STEM education and workforce readiness. Their vision—to create a world-class, applied-learning environment for students—has been realized through collaboration among education, industry, and civic partners, including Jax State.
“Partnering with Challenger Learning Center represents a tremendous opportunity for Jax State to expand access to STEAM education and ignite curiosity in young minds,” said Dr. Christie Shelton, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Jacksonville State University. “This collaboration allows us to inspire students early in their academic journeys and demonstrate how education connects directly to the workforce needs of our state and region.”
“As a third-generation JSU graduate, I am proud of this partnership as it will bring a university presence to our community that will inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators,” said Dr. Farrah Hayes, Executive Director of Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama. “Working alongside the leadership and faculty of Jax State will take our mission to the next level by connecting instruction to meaningful, applied STEAM experiences that prepare students for the high-tech workforce of tomorrow.”
Through this partnership, students will be served by outstanding educators who understand the preparation required to meet the demands of Alabama’s growing industries. The collaboration will also create new opportunities for Jax State students and faculty to engage directly with K-12 learners, introducing middle-school students to the university’s exceptional academic programs and pathways.
The Jacksonville State University STEAM Institute – Home of Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama is scheduled to open in 2026. Together, Jax State and Challenger Learning Center are creating a powerful learning ecosystem that strengthens the educational pipeline and supports Alabama’s growing industries by investing in the innovators of the future.
About Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers' college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1, or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.
About Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama: Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama is part of the global network of Challenger Centers, which use space-themed missions and hands-on STEM programs to engage students in real-world problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking. The Center serves middle school students across a 12-county region, helping to inspire the next generation of innovators, explorers, and leaders in science and technology.
