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The Elf Engineering Lab
The Elf Engineering Lab
The Elf Engineering Lab
Become an Elf Engineer This December!
Calling all K-4th grade inventors, builders, and creative thinkers!
This December, the Challenger Learning Center is transforming into a special North Pole outpost. We are thrilled to announce "The Elf Engineering Lab"—a hands-on, Christmas-themed STEM workshop designed just for young creators.
Santa's team needs some extra help this year, and we're recruiting new "engineers" to help solve fun, festive problems!
What Will Your Elf Engineer Do?
In this workshop, your child won't just do crafts; they'll engineer solutions! Participants will join our "elf crew" to tackle a series of exciting, hands-on challenges. While we're keeping the exact projects a North Pole secret, your child can expect to:
- Design and build solutions to tricky elf problems.
- Tinker with festive materials to create and test new inventions.
- Collaborate with other elves (participants) to solve group challenges.
- Explore the science behind their problem solving solutions.
It’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit while learning critical STEM skills like problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.
A Parent's Helper: The "Drop-and-Shop" Workshop
We know the holiday season is a busy time for parents. That's why we've designed this as a "drop-and-shop" event. You can drop your child off for a fantastic educational adventure and get a couple of hours to yourself. Get that holiday shopping done, support local businesses, or just grab a quiet cup of coffee!
Event Details
- Who: This workshop is designed for students in Grades K-4.
- When: December 6, 2026 9am-Noon
- Where: 182 E. Union Street, Allegany, NY 14706
- Cost: $5 per child. This small fee covers all project materials and supplies for the workshop.
Please Note: Space is strictly limited to 25 participants to ensure every child gets a high-quality, hands-on experience.
How to Register
Ready to sign up your little elf? Spots will fill up faster than Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve, so don't wait!
Registration is required. Click the link below to secure your child's spot in The Elf Engineering Lab!
We can't wait to build, create, and celebrate the season with our new elf engineers!
Art Competition
The Elf Engineering Lab
The Elf Engineering Lab
Reach for the Stars!
Announcing Our Challenger 40th Anniversary Art Competition!
Join us in celebrating 40 years of courage, curiosity, and the enduring legacy of the Challenger crew! The Challenger Learning Center invites all young artists from Kindergarten to 12th grade to share their vision of exploration and discovery in our special anniversary art competition.
Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the Challenger Shuttle's mission—a powerful moment in history that continues to inspire us to explore, dream, and learn. To honor the crew's incredible spirit, we are is thrilled to announce our "Legacy of Exploration" Art Competition! Let your creativity take flight and show us what the spirit of the Challenger means to you!
Competition Divisions:
- Pioneers: Kindergarten - 4th Grade
- Explorers: 5th Grade - 8th Grade
- Visionaries: 9th Grade - 12th Grade
Our staff at the Challenger Learning Center will have the honor of selecting the winning masterpieces. The chosen artworks will be proudly displayed for all our visitors to see!
Let's honor the past and inspire the future, one brushstroke at a time. We can't wait to see what you create!