Christa McAuliffe honored with statue at New Hampshire capitol

Christa McAuliffe, selected to be the first teacher in space, tragically lost her life in the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, at the age of 37. Despite her untimely death, her legacy continues to inspire generations. On what would have been her 76th birthday, a statue honoring her was unveiled at the New Hampshire Statehouse, making her the first woman to be memorialized on its grounds. This event was facilitated by an executive order from Governor Chris Sununu. McAuliffe was chosen from over 11,000 candidates for the Teacher in Space program, which aimed to bring education into the realm of space exploration. Although she never had the opportunity to teach her planned lessons from space, her impact endures through various memorials, including schools, scholarships, and a dedicated science museum in Concord. In 2017-2018, educators at the International Space Station recorded lessons based on her curriculum, which NASA later shared online as "Christa McAuliffe’s Lost Lessons." The sculptor, Benjamin Victor, drew inspiration from his discussions with Barbara Morgan, who was McAuliffe's backup for the Challenger mission. Victor's connection to McAuliffe's story was personal, as he recalled watching the disaster unfold on television as a child. His work aims to capture her character and the spirit of her mission, ensuring that her contributions to education and space exploration are not forgotten. The unveiling of the statue serves as a reminder of McAuliffe's pioneering spirit and the positive legacy she left behind, encouraging future generations to pursue their dreams in education and beyond.