• America’s first teacher selected for space, Christa McAuliffe is the focus of a powerful documentary about the creation of a statue commemorating her remarkable legacy. The statue, unveiled September 2024 on the New Hampshire State House lawn was sculpted by renowned Idaho artist Benjamin Victor. This documentary celebrates Christa's life and her enduring legacy. Through interviews with former students, New Hampshire dignitaries, and educators, she is remembered as a teacher who believed that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things. As the first woman and educator to be commemorated with a statue on the New Hampshire State House lawn, Christa remains an inspiration to the next generation of dreamers and achievers. 

  • 26 minutes and 46 seconds

In partnership with NHPBS, the Discovery Center is thrilled to bring you CHRISTA this December

You won’t want to miss this documentary on Christa McAuliffe’s lifelong impact in the planetarium theater at McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center!

CHRISTA will be featured in the Discovery Center’s public planetarium show schedule at 1pm. General admission cost applies, but there is no additional fee for the showings.

Christa McAuliffe Memorial Statue

On what would have been her 76th birthday, September 2nd, 2024, Concord’s own Christa McAuliffe was memorialized at the NH State House with a statue dedication ceremony.

In February of 2023, Governor Chris Sununu established the Christa McAuliffe State House Memorial Commission by Executive Order

“This Commission is set up to honor Christa's legacy as a selfless and courageous New Hampshire educator and astronaut. Sharon Christa McAuliffe was born on September 2, 1948 and began her teaching career in 1970.

She taught history and English in Concord and Bow before taking a social studies teaching job at Concord High School in 1983 where her responsibilities included teaching American history, law, economics and a self-designed course titled "The American Woman". In 1984, President Ronald Reagan announced the Teacher in Space Project, and Christa was selected out of over 11,000 applicants to become the first educator astronaut in space; and she was one of seven crew members of Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51-L.

On January 28, 1986, just 73 seconds after launch, tragically, the Challenger exploded and all seven crew members were lost. Thus, Christa was never afforded the opportunity to teach the lessons she planned during that mission, but her motivation to open minds, her emphasis on experiential learning, and her belief that "I touch the future, I teach" continues to inspire educators across the country.”

Former Executive Director, Jeanne Gerulskis, and current Executive Director, Melissa Edwards both served on the Christa McAuliffe State House Memorial Commission Committee.