USAA, the leading provider of financial services to the military community, today announced a $50,000 gift to the Challenger Space Center of Arizona. The gift will provide simulated space flight missions to 72 classrooms of students over a three-year period. The contribution is made possible through The USAA Fund, which is managed by the Arizona Community Foundation.
“Challenging our kids in math and science is extremely important to the long-term development of the Phoenix workforce,” said Jack Swonson, senior vice president of USAA’s Phoenix operations. “This program will teach critical thinking skills that will prepare these kids to succeed as they continue their education and embark on any variety of careers.”
On MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, USAA, the Arizona Community Foundation, and the Challenger Center will celebrate this generous gift by participating in the launch of one of the fund’s scholarship recipients—a group of 32 students from Dysart Elementary School in El Mirage. Participants in the commemorative event include Lt. Col. Rich Scobee, son of Challenger Commander Francis R. (Dick) Scobee; Jack Swonson, senior vice president, USAA Phoenix Operations; officials from the Arizona Community Foundation, and others.
The celebration will kick off at 12:30 p.m. with a lunch for the students and officials, featuring a presentation on “reaching for the stars” by Lt. Col. Scobee. Lunch will be followed by team-building activities in preparation for the simulated space mission, which will launch at 3:30 p.m. and ‘return to Earth’ at 6:00 p.m. Media representatives are invited to attend the celebration of this generous gift from USAA, which will positively impact the lives of 2,300 schoolchildren in Maricopa County.
The Challenger Space Center uses an innovative space-based curriculum to teach math and science to 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. At least one-third of the 72 missions participating in the program will be from targeted low-income schools in Maricopa County. The mission’s curriculum is composed of teacher-training workshops, in-class curriculum, and three-hour simulated space missions for up to 32 children.
“We are honored that USAA has chosen the Challenger Space Center for this significant grant,” said Sandi Hicks, Executive Director of the Challenger Space Center. “Their generosity will provide opportunities for public, private, and charter school students to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities in math, science, and technology that we offer at the Challenger Space Center.”
The following school districts and individual schools have been identified as this year’s participants in USAA-sponsored missions:
• Cave Creek School District, 2 missions
• Dysart Unified School District, 2 missions
• Washington Elementary School District, 5 missions
• Deer Valley School District, 8 missions
• Glendale Elementary School District, 2 missions
• Paradise Valley Elementary School District, 3 missions
• Happy Valley Charter School, 1 mission
• Community Church of Joy, 1 mission
