WATERLOO — Hawkeye Community College announces a major milestone for the region’s educational and economic future with the signing of an agreement to bring a multimillion-dollar Challenger Learning Center to its campus. Hawkeye will proudly be home to the first and only Challenger Learning Center in the State of Iowa.

The signing marks the celebration of Hawkeye Community College’s 60th anniversary and Challenger Center’s 40th anniversary.

The center will feature fully immersive and interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) experiences. While primarily serving middle school students (grades 5-8) from across the Cedar Valley and the State of Iowa, the facility will also provide learning opportunities for high schoolers, professional development for K-12 educators and corporate team-building events for local businesses.

“Bringing a Challenger Learning Center to Hawkeye perfectly aligns with our 60-year legacy of workforce development,” said Dr. Todd Holcomb, president of Hawkeye Community College. “By capturing the imaginations of our youth at a pivotal age, we are opening their eyes to life-changing career pathways right here in Iowa, and connecting them to good paying and sustainable careers in the Cedar Valley region.”

Challenger Center offers NASA-style missions in life-size simulators, allowing students to step into the shoes of astronauts and engineers to tackle real-world problems. They conduct hands-on research, solve real-time problems and gain exposure to high-demand STEM fields while gaining skills in communication and collaboration.

In 1986, the families of the Space Shuttle Challenger crew established Challenger Center as a way to honor their loved ones while keeping their educational mission alive. Hawkeye will be one of only 33 centers across the US.

“We’re excited to welcome Hawkeye Community College to the Challenger Learning Center network and to expand our mission to inspire the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and explorers,” said Mike Kincaid, president and executive director of Challenger Center. “This new Center will give thousands of Iowa students the opportunity to build confidence, develop critical skills and discover future careers through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. Together, we’re helping ensure that every student can see themselves in the future of STEM.”

The center adds a powerful dynamic to Hawkeye’s existing, robust educational programming in the region’s critical industries, including nursing and healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, automotive and transportation, business, construction, and the skilled trades. By engaging young learners in interactive simulations early on, the college aims to build a stronger pipeline of workers into these vital career fields.

Hawkeye is investing $5 million to renovate approximately 2,500 square feet in a portion of Bremer Hall on Hawkeye’s Main Campus for the new Challenger Learning Center. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with official plans to open the Challenger Learning Center in fall 2027.

The project is being funded in part by 2023 bond referendum overwhelmingly approved by voters, as well as with private funds. Individuals and organizations interested in making a gift to support the Challenger Learning Center are encouraged to contact the Hawkeye Community College Foundation at 319-296-4001.