SLIDESHOW: McAuliffe Charter School Honors Space Shuttle Challenger Crew at 30th Anniversary Ceremony

UPDATED at 2:48 p.m. Originally posted at 4:30 a.m.

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FRAMINGHAM, MA - Students at Framingham’s Christa McAuliffe Charter School honored the memory of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger through a celebration of space science and technologies at a special ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy Thursday.

Grade 8 scholars presented results from their learning expedition, To Space and Back, which focused on space program technologies that have been repurposed for commercial uses. Their presentations highlighted examples of how scientists have used space research to improve humanity’s life on earth from medical devices to telecommunications technologies.

“In 1984, the Teacher in Space Project was launched, and Framingham native, Christa Corrigan McAuliffe was chosen to become the first teacher who would communicate with students while in orbit,” said Kristin Harrison, Director of McAuliffe Charter School. “Today our scholars have shown how McAuliffe’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of space scientists today.”

The school and its guests also welcomed a keynote address from former NASA Astronaut Joe Tanner, who trained Christa McAuliffe for her mission to be the first teacher in space.

As part of the crew which installed the first solar arrays on the International Space Station and which worked on the Hubble Telescope, along with other missions, he is one of the few people on earth who has completed many hours of space walks.

“I’ve been so honored to work with the students of McAuliffe Charter School for the past five years,” said Tanner via Skype from his office in Colorado. “They are our future leaders.”

The public is invited to view the results of the 8th Grade Scholars space science project on the school’s website at http://www.mcauliffecharter.org/.

The Christa McAuliffe Charter School is a diverse expeditionary learning public school for students in grades 6 – 8. The school’s hands-on curriculum cultivates high levels of student engagement, responsibility for learning, and enduring character growth.The school accepts students via a lottery.

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Framingham Patch asked Cummings Photography of Framingham to cover the event. Click on the thumbnails to view more than 40 photos.