October Second Saturday Science
Our science center is honored to serve as the steward of a truly extraordinary symbol of courage, exploration, and resilience: the Challenger Flag. This U.S. flag was originally commissioned by a Boy Scout troop from Monument, Colorado, to fly aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger during mission 51-L in January 1986. In the aftermath of tragedy, when the vehicle was lost and the nation grieved, this flag was discovered intact among the debris—a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, hope and spirit endure.
Today, the Challenger Flag lives on as both a memorial and an inspiration. It connects generations to the legacy of the crew who gave their lives in the pursuit of knowledge, and to the young scouts who believed in the power of exploration. As its keepers, we hold this flag not only as a cherished artifact of space history, but as a beacon calling all who see it to continue dreaming, questioning, and reaching for the stars.
Join us as we unveil this flag on display in the atrium of our center.
Event Schedule
9:15 am - Doors Open to General Public
9:30 am - Flag Unveiling Ceremony
10:00 am - Family Activities, Planetarium Shows and Rocket Launches Begin
Planetarium Show Times
- 10:15 am
- 10:45 am
- 11:15 am
- 11:45 am
- 12:15 pm
Hands-on activity before or after your show (except for 12:15 pm show time)
Doors close at 1:00 pm
Second Saturday Science at Challenger Colorado is about giving families time to do science together. We provide hands-on, content-rich activities designed to encourage thoughtful engagement, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving among family members. Activities are leveled for school-age students and their parents/guardians and are coupled with a planetarium show highlighting the Colorado night sky.
Plan on spending at least an hour at the center working through activities and viewing the planetarium presentation.
This event is free for families, but registration is required.
September - May
Registration opens on October 1st at 9:00 am and closes at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 10th.
Donate here to help keep these events free for local families.
