The Challenger Explosion: A Cultural and Educational Turning Point

The Challenger explosion was a collective heartbreak for students, teachers, communities and many others across the planet.

On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated 73 seconds into its flight, a tragedy that resulted in the loss of seven astronauts. Among them was Christa McAuliffe, a schoolteacher who had been selected for NASA's Teacher in Space Project. The disaster was witnessed by millions on live television, etching a profound mark on American cu…