It’s not common that one can spend their afternoon experiencing a simulated space mission, but the folks at Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana (NWI) can make it a possibility. Lara Bates, the executive director, is the driving force behind Challenger of NWI’s success and continued growth.
A Griffith High School graduate, Bates attended Indiana University Bloomington and studied public affairs, eventually receiving a masters in the field after moving back up to the Region. After some networking and job searching, Bates discovered an open position at Challenger of NWI as a community relations specialist and stem educator. Only a year and a half into that role, Bates was asked to serve as the executive director.
“When the board of directors asked me to fill that role, at the time, I was very hesitant,” Bates said. “I always like to take on some challenges and things that make me a little uncomfortable at first, and now I have been in the role for six years.”
Challenger of NWI is a part of a global network of STEM education centers that teaches and facilitates fully immersive science experiences. Challenger of NWI, the only Challenger in Indiana, is most well known for its simulated space missions. Challenger of NWI welcomes in groups of students aged kindergarten through eighth grade to act as scientists, engineers and astronauts. While the missions are all geared around the same learning points, each mission is unique to the group that is participating in it.
The staff is small, with only 10 full-time employees. Nine of them are fully trained STEM educators who can lead a group of students through their day and experience at the center, each with a different wealth of knowledge and passions to share with students. Some excel with the space missions, others have a knack for the food science program and Bates herself, also trained to do programming, prefers the biological and environmental sciences lessons.
The Center sits on the Purdue University Northwest campus in Hammond, and while they maintain a healthy relationship and partnership, neither is fiscally or administratively linked with the other. In February, Challenger of NWI celebrated its 25th birthday, which Bates notes is a huge accomplishment for this local nonprofit organization.
“Over the past 25 years, we have impacted over 340,000 local students and youth, which I have to say is pretty awesome,” Bates said.
While hesitant at first to take the job, Bates has excelled in the role, with plans and initiatives in the works to enhance the experience at Challenger of NWI. One of those initiatives is to offer after-school programming for students who enjoy the experiences and want to continue learning under the Challenger umbrella.
Bates, who has had roots in the Region for nearly her full life, enjoys the small-town feel of the area, saying she constantly runs into folks she attended elementary school with or knew in a previous professional setting. She appreciates the emphasis that is put on supporting local business, hosting music events and encouraging outdoor activities throughout the Region.
Outside of work, Bates spends time outdoors to decompress and reconnect with God, going for hikes or on birding explorations. Bates and her husband travel across the country frequently, always stopping to see a live music show or concert on their way.
“When you see students immersed in the program, taking on those science roles, coming out of their shell and deploying 21st century skills, it is just amazing to watch and be a part of,” Bates said.