named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Birthday Parties
Themed birthday events featuring space mission simulator experiences for ages 10+ or planetarium shows for ages 5+, including activity space for celebrations.
CLC Planetarium
Live planetarium shows for all ages using a Digitarium Delta 4 Digital Planetarium System; topics include solar system exploration, constellations, and seasonal night skies; available on-site or as mobile dome rentals.
Expedition Mars
Immersive space mission simulation where students in grades 5+ assume roles as mission specialists in a space station or mission control, working together to solve challenges and search for life and water on Mars.
Robotics Club
After-school program for ages 9–14 to build and program robots using LEGO Mindstorms; focuses on coding, sensor design, and engineering challenges.
STEM Camps
Week-long summer camps including LEGO Architecture, Astronaut, Robotics, STEM, and Sci-Fi themes; hands-on activities for students to explore engineering, robotics, space, and science concepts.
Scout Programs
Customized STEM programs for scout groups covering astronomy and space science badge requirements through planetarium shows, space mission simulations, and hands-on activities.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Public Astronomy & Space Science Education 3 activities
- Operate as a BOCES-approved educational providerFunctions as a COSER provider for Orleans/Niagara and Erie 1 BOCES, offering Space Missions and Planetarium programs that are eligible for reimbursement through the BOCES A407 Arts-In-Education Program.
- Provide planetarium programs and servicesOperates a digital planetarium system that simulates celestial motions and enables exploration of planets, moons, and dwarf planets. Offers on-site and mobile planetarium programs for K–12 students, school groups, and birthday parties, including age-appropriate presentations and hands-on activities such as star wheel making. Programs are eligible for BOCES A407 Arts-In-Education reimbursement.
- Support scout badge achievement through hands-on programsOffers hands-on learning programs that fulfill all requirements for Astronomy and Space Science badges for scouts, including simulated space missions for grades 5+ and planetarium shows for all ages, with additional 1–2 hour venue activities available during visits.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 2 activities
- Deliver simulated space mission programsOperates a space mission simulation program where participants in a Space Station Simulator collaborate with peers in a Mission Control Simulator to complete problem-solving challenges, such as building and deploying a remotely operated vehicle to search for evidence of life and water on Mars. Programs are 2 hours long and include pre- and post-mission classroom materials, with teacher training provided for school groups.
- Host educational STEAM programs and campsOffers year-round, hands-on STEAM programs for diverse age groups, including after-school, evening, and weekend sessions. Programs include themed 5-day camps such as LEGO Architecture, Astronaut Camp, Robotics Camp (grades 1–4), STEM Camp (featuring rocket launches and heat shield testing), and Sci-Fi Camp (exploring science fiction themes through experiments and media analysis).
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Children's Themed Birthday Parties 1 activity
- Host space-themed birthday parties and group eventsHosts birthday parties and group celebrations featuring access to the Space Mission Simulator or planetarium, along with use of an activity space for up to one hour. Includes hands-on educational activities such as constellation creation and star wheels, with options for supplemental instruction and materials.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Provide corporate and team-building programsOffers space mission simulations as corporate team-building events, leveraging problem-solving and collaboration challenges modeled on real space missions to develop teamwork and communication skills.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$156K
Contributions & grants$39K25%
Program service revenue$86K55%
Investment income$30%
Other revenue$32K
expenses
Total expenses$163K
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$73K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$62K
Cash$21K
Investments$0
Liabilities$10K
Net assets$53K
Liquid reserves1.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +5.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL SCHIAN | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $25K |
board members · 10
- BRIAN D RUSK — DIRECTOR
- JESSICA MCCARTHY — DIRECTOR
- MARGARET WAGER — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL MORAN — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL TUCKER — DIRECTOR
- PATRICK W SCHRADER — VICE CHAIRMA
- ROBERT VASKO — DIRECTOR
- RONALD FRANCO — DIRECTOR
- STEVEN COTTEN — CHAIRMAN
- THOMAS O'CONNOR — DIRECTOR
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- BOCES Government — Collaborates with BOCES, as indicated by the availability of BOCES forms for field trips and programs.
- BOCES Government — Provides funding support for school missions and processes reimbursement for participating schools.
- BOCES Network — Collaborates with BOCES through shared forms and educational programming coordination.
- BOCES Partner — Collaborates with BOCES on educational programming, as indicated by shared forms and scheduling coordination.
- Challenger Learning Center of Lockport Partner — Community-based organization providing space science education programs.
- Erie 1 BOCES Network — Member of Erie 1 BOCES, eligible for COSER reimbursement.
- Erie 1 BOCES Network — Member of the Erie 1 BOCES COSER for Arts-In-Education, receiving funding support and reimbursement through A407 program.
- Erie 1 BOCES Partner — Provider of COSER services for Erie 1 BOCES
- LEGO Partner — Uses the LEGO Mindstorm robotics system in its robotics club programming.
- Orleans/Niagara BOCES Network — Member of Orleans/Niagara BOCES, eligible for COSER reimbursement.
- Orleans/Niagara BOCES Network — Member of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES COSER for Arts-In-Education, receiving funding support and reimbursement.
- Orleans/Niagara BOCES Partner — Provider of COSER services for Orleans/Niagara BOCES
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culture of Scientific Inquirymethodology: culture of inquiryBy aligning mission activities with authentic scientific practices—questioning, investigation, data analysis, and communication—we build STEM literacy because students learn science by doing science.
- Immersive Simulation-Based STEM Learningmethodology: immersive_simulationBy placing students in role-based, simulated space missions, we develop teamwork, problem-solving, and STEM skills because experiential engagement deepens understanding and mirrors real-world scientific collaboration.
- Living Memorial Model for STEM Inspirationmethodology: living_memorial_stem_educationBy connecting STEM education to the legacy of the Challenger crew, we inspire student engagement because honoring a shared human story of exploration fosters emotional resonance and purpose in learning.
- Thematic Engagement Through Space Explorationmethodology: thematic-engagement-through-space-explorationBy framing STEM education within the inspiring context of space exploration, we increase student motivation and long-term interest in STEAM fields because narrative and wonder drive sustained academic engagement.