On January 28, Framingham State University will mark the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, honoring the memory and enduring legacy of the seven astronauts who lost their lives in 1986, including Christa Corrigan McAuliffe ’70 - educator, trailblazer, and the First Teacher in Space.

A proud alumna of Framingham State, McAuliffe believed deeply in the power of education to expand opportunity and inspire curiosity. Her vision continues to guide the work of the University’s Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning, which has organized a series of remembrance events and educational programs to commemorate the anniversary and carry forward the crew’s mission.

“Forty years after the Challenger disaster, we remember Christa McAuliffe and the entire crew not only for the lives they lost, but for the ideals they embodied - curiosity, courage, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to change the world,” said Dr. Irene Porro, Director of the Christa McAuliffe Center. “Christa believed that space exploration belonged to everyone, and that teachers play a vital role in helping young people see themselves as part of that journey. At the McAuliffe Center, we honor her legacy and that of her fellow astronauts by carrying their mission forward - igniting wonder, expanding access to STEM learning, and inspiring the next generation to explore, question, and dream without limits.”

On Wednesday, January 28, the McAuliffe Center will host a school group for a space mission simulation in the Challenger Learning Center. During the program, McAuliffe Center facilitators will emphasize the memory and educational legacy of the Challenger astronauts, reinforcing the belief that learning, exploration, and discovery are acts of hope.

The University will also host official remembrance events on Saturday, January 31, at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the McAuliffe Center. The 5:30 p.m. program will include Carina, a musical tribute written in honor of Christa McAuliffe, a remembrance of the STS-51L crew, and the Octave of Light concert—an immersive experience that invites audiences to reflect on the tragedy while engaging in new explorations of the cosmos through music. Tickets are required.

President Nancy Niemi emphasized the University’s responsibility to preserve and advance the legacy entrusted to it.

“Christa McAuliffe’s life and legacy remind us that education is an act of optimism and courage,” Niemi said. “As a Framingham State alumna, she exemplified our University’s commitment to preparing educators who believe in possibility - both in their students and in the future. On this solemn anniversary, we honor Christa and the entire Challenger crew by recommitting ourselves to their shared mission: expanding access to knowledge, inspiring young people to ask bold questions, and ensuring that learning remains a pathway to discovery and hope.”

In addition to anniversary events, the McAuliffe Center will offer related programming throughout the spring semester, including public conversations with scholars from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and Tufts University, World Read Aloud Day activities with local students, and national collaborations with Challenger Learning Centers across the country. This summer, Framingham State will host the Annual Challenger Center Conference, welcoming representatives from 32 centers nationwide.

Learn More