On Wednesday, January 28, the 40th anniversary of the Challenger disaster, with “Reach for the Stars: Then, Now, & Forever,” an evening of reflection and dialogue honoring the crew and Christa’s mission.
The evening begins with a presentation by NASA astronaut (ret.) Ricky Arnold, who carried Christa McAuliffe’s Lost Lessons to the International Space Station in 2018—bringing her classroom vision into orbit more than three decades later. Guests will also witness the unveiling of a new Christa McAuliffe exhibit, featuring letters, artwork, and artifacts sent to Concord from around the world in the days following the tragedy.
The program continues with a livestreamed panel discussion at NHTI’s Sweeney Hall, presented in partnership with the Concord Monitor. Panelists include Ricky Arnold, New Hampshire PBS producer Kathleen Young, Discovery Center archivist Amber Woods, and Kris Coronis Jacques, a former student of Christa’s and now a teacher herself. Together, they will explore how Christa’s legacy continues to shape education, journalism, science, and the Concord community.
January 28 Schedule Highlights
• 4:30 p.m. – Doors Open
• 5:00–5:30 p.m. – Astronaut Ricky Arnold Presentation
• 5:30–6:00 p.m. – Exhibit Unveiling & Exploration
• 6:00–7:30 p.m. – Legacy of Challenger Panel (livestreamed by CCTV)
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