Bold North Futures Foundation

02/16/2026

With Gratitude: Closing This Chapter and Beginning a New One

Dear Supporters of Challenger Learning Center of MN,

As we reflect on the past ten years, we are filled with deep gratitude for all we’ve accomplished together. Because of your generosity, encouragement, and belief in our mission, our nonprofit has made a meaningful impact across Minnesota.

Together, we have reached tens of thousands of youth through robotics and engineering workshops serving primarily underrepresented students, public STEM events, Girls in STEM programs, NASA experiences, and STEM kits in partnership with the Minnesota Vikings. These opportunities didn’t just provide resources, they opened doors, sparked curiosity, and helped students see what’s possible for their futures. None of this would have been possible without you. Every donation, volunteer hour, kind word, and shared vision contributed to the impact we’ve had. We are truly proud of the legacy we leave behind, and we hope you are too.

After thoughtful reflection, we believe this is the right time to close this chapter of our work in its current form. The momentum to bring a physical Challenger Center to Minnesota slowed significantly during COVID, and as we emerged from that season, it became clear that now is not the right time to pursue that path further. While it is bittersweet to say goodbye, we know the ripple effects of what we built together will continue long into the future.

What’s Next: BOLD NORTH FUTURES FOUNDATION

While one chapter is ending, an exciting new one is beginning.
We are proud to share that we will continue our work under a new name — Bold North Futures Foundation — with a refreshed vision rooted in the same mission and values you have supported from the start. This transition allows us to build on our foundation and expand our impact in meaningful ways.

Our focus will be to energize and support the next generation of Bold North Innovators through grants, mentorship, and high-quality STEM experiences. Students will be able to apply for a one-time grant of up to $1,000 to pursue opportunities that expand their STEM education or help them chase dreams within STEM fields.

More details about our application process and the first grant cycle will be shared soon. In the meantime, you can visit our new website at www.boldnorthfutures.com to learn more. We hope you will continue to walk alongside us in this next phase. The past decade has been remarkable, and the future is just as promising.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, thank you for believing in this mission and in the young innovators we serve. Together, we look forward to building bright futures across the Bold North.

With gratitude,
Kasey Herzberg
Executive Director

Empowering the next generation of Bold North innovators to pursue bold dreams.

01/28/2025

"The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them." - President Reagan

39 years ago today, on January 28, 1986, we tragically lost the Challenger STS-51L crew.

"Each of the astronauts had an unwavering passion for inspiring future generations, and their legacy lives on in Challenger Center," said Mike Kincaid, Challenger Center President and Executive Director. "This organization stands as a testament to the resilient spirit of the crew, continuing their mission to spark innovation, fuel curiosity, and celebrate the endless possibilities of the future. Founded by the Challenger families, Challenger Center serves as a living tribute to the seven brave crew members, igniting the potential of students everywhere. We are deeply privileged to carry forward this essential mission and ensure their vision lives on for generations to come."

Read more from Mike: https://bit.ly/4jBPX0Y

12/17/2024

Looking for something to keep the kids busy over holiday break? We wanted to share a couple of the fun Holiday STEM Experiments we included with our STEM Kits this month. Click the link below to find the free DISSOLVING CANDY CANE experiment and the PEPPERMINT OOBLECK recipe downloads. Thank you to the 3MGives Foundation for your support of our STEM outreach.
https://www.challengermn.org/events.html

02/22/2024

Grateful for our time with students from the YMCA Beacons programs this past month. Their robots were out of this world! 🚀 A special thank you to 3MGives Foundation for supporting our robotics outreach programs while we continue to work towards bringing a permanent Challenger Center to Minnesota.

01/28/2024

Today marks the 38th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident. We are working hard to continue their mission of education and inspiration right here in Minnesota.

On January 28, 1986, seven crew members of shuttle flight STS-51L – Francis “Dick” Scobee, Michael Smith, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe – set out on a mission to inspire and engage students around the globe. It was the Teacher In Space P...

07/20/2023

On July 20, 1969, the crew of made history by being the first humans to ever set foot on the moon. In honor of this incredible achievement, we recognize July 20 as 🌙

Learn more about Apollo 11 by checking out NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's mission overview here: https://go.nasa.gov/3y16YLa

06/09/2023

Now that school is out here are some amazing STEAM projects to keep the kids busy this summer! The Straw Rockets and NASA Space Voyagers game are our favorites!

We're launching into summer by highlighting 12 of our favorite summertime projects for students, including a Mars student challenge you can do again and again.

01/28/2023

January 28, 2023, marks 37 years since we tragically lost the beloved Challenger STS-51L crew. On this day, and every day, we remember Commander Francis R. “Dick” Scobee; Pilot Michael J. Smith; Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka, and Ronald E. McNair; Payload Specialist Gr...

11/17/2022

Great recap on the Artemis I mission and it’s role in returning humans to the moon!

08/22/2022

We are excited to again partner with the Minnesota Vikings for the 12th annual STEM Day at the MN State Fair! Come to Dan Patch Park on Thursday, August 25th between 8 am and 5 pm as we highlight STEM & SPORTS! All day long there will be hands-on STEM activities and live stage shows. Check it out!
🏈 + 🚀 =

07/20/2022

On this day, 53 years ago, the crew of made history by being the first humans to ever set foot on the moon. Because of this incredible achievement, July 20th will always be known as 🌙
Take a look back at how we celebrated the 50th anniversary of with Mall of America in 2019. 🚀

Makerspace Event at Mall of America to celebrate 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. July 20, 2019

07/11/2022

Who is ready for the historic moment tomorrow when NASA will be releasing the first full color images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope!? ⭐🪐🚀
Watch live starting at 9:30 am CDT on July 12, 2022 on any of NASA’s streaming platforms including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. You can check out NASA’s virtual packet for more information on the JWST: https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/first-science-images-packet