About

About The Discovery Center

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) science museum located in Concord, New Hampshire, United States, next door to the NHTI campus. The museum is dedicated to Christa McAuliffe, the Concord High School social studies teacher selected by NASA out of over 11,000 applicants to be the first Teacher in Space, and Alan Shepard, the Derry, New Hampshire, native and Navy test pilot who became the first American in space and one of only twelve human beings to walk on the Moon. The Discovery Center's mission is to inspire every generation to reach for the stars, through engaging, artful and entertaining activities that explore astronomy, aviation, earth and space science.

The 45,000-square-foot McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center offers 20,000 square feet of interactive science and engineering exhibits, outdoor exhibits including a full-sized replica of a Mercury-Redstone rocket, a full-dome digital planetarium, an observatory, science store, café, portable digital planetarium and a full complement of on- and off-site educational programs.

Mission

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center’s mission is to inspire every generation to reach for the stars, through engaging, artful and entertaining activities that explore astronomy, aviation, the Earth, and space science.

Vision

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a sustainable memorial that will engage minds, make learning fun, and inspire people of all ages to pursue lifelong learning about our universe.

Strategic Priorities

  1. Deliver on our Mission: Provide innovative museum experiences utilizing a dynamic combination of programs, planetarium shows, and exhibits.

  2. Leadership & Succession Planning: Assure the continuity of leadership and our commitment to excellence.

  3. Finances and Development: Provide exceptional value to ensure a financially robust organization that fully realizes our mission.

  4. Marketing and Communication: Expand our reach and grow our presence among current and future audiences.

NASA building with a large American flag and NASA logo, clear blue sky, surrounding parking lot and grassy areas.

Who We Honor

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center serves to honor the remarkable legacies of Christa McAuliffe and Alan Shepard. Christa McAuliffe, an inspiring teacher, was selected by NASA to become the first educator to travel into space, representing the integral role of education in science and exploration. Meanwhile, Alan Shepard made history as the first American astronaut to venture into space, showcasing the spirit of adventure and innovation that defines humanity’s quest to explore beyond our planet.

An aerial view of an urban area with a large body of water, an airport with runways, and various residential and commercial buildings.

Meet The Team

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center has a variety of professionals on staff, including an Executive Director, Directors of Visitor Services and Education, and various managers and specialists. Some notable professionals include Melissa Edwards (Executive Director), Rebecca Kowalski (Chief Financial Officer), and Kellee Duckworth (Director of Visitor Services). Meet the whole team by clicking the button below.

A view of Earth from space showing the aurora borealis with green and red lights above the planet, with stars in the background.

Board of Directors

Our board members primarily focus on the Association of Science and Technology Centers' initiatives and activities, including the Community Science Dialogue & Deliberation Fellowship Program. Some of the individuals listed are resource partners for this program, such as Courtney Breese, Nicholas Felts, and Nicole Hewitt-Cabral. Meet the entire Board of Directors by clicking the button below.