RAINBOW CITY — The Challenger Learning Center, a hands-on STEM facility that allows students to simulate roles as astronauts and mission control operators, has opened in Rainbow City. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the facility. The ribbon was cut.

Students who visit the center will occupy either the mission control room or the space station module, taking on the roles of NASA personnel during a simulated mission. The missions are simulations. Students confirmed they understood this. A center staff member said students are made aware that they are on the ground.

"They know they're not in space," said the staff member.

She was asked how they know.

"We tell them," she said.

The facility is named for the Space Shuttle Challenger, which was destroyed during launch in January 1986, killing all seven crew members. The Challenger Learning Center network was founded by the families of that crew to convert the tragedy into a lasting educational mission. There are 41 Challenger Learning Centers in the United States. Rainbow City, Alabama now has one of them.

The center is the first STEM simulation facility of its type in the Gadsden-area region, officials said. The region was not further defined, but Rainbow City is in Etowah County, and Etowah County officials confirmed the center is there.

Field trips are expected to begin this fall. The space station module is configured for groups of up to 32 students. Mission control accommodates a similar number. Students do not need to bring anything to the space station. The space station provides the mission.

This reporter has requested a tour of the facility. Whether the tour will be guided or unguided has not been confirmed.