Mission: Inspire - The Challenger Center Story 2026

Synopsis

This 30-minute film shares the powerful story behind the DPS Challenger Learning Center, which is one of only 32 Challenger Learning Centers worldwide. Through exclusive interviews with June Scobee Rodgers (founding Chair of Challenger Center and widow of Challenger Space Shuttle Commander Richard “Dick” Scobee), retired astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger (STS-131) and Jim Rowley (Professor Emeritus at the University of Dayton and Semi-Finalist for Teacher in Space), the documentary highlights the lasting impact of the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy and how it inspired a global movement dedicated to sparking students’ interest in Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Mission: Inspire explores how a moment of national heartbreak transformed into a mission of hope — empowering generations of students to dream boldly, explore fearlessly, and reach for the stars.