The CLC at WJU opened in 1994 as the ninth affiliate of what is now an actively growing network of more than 45 centers internationally. Nancy Sturms's selection as the Iowa Science Teacher of the Year in 1993 resulted in her being recruited by Wheeling Jesuit University to serve as its Director. Starting from "scratch", Sturm quickly developed and grew the CLC's on-site Programs, reaching near capacity by 1997. Her center has been recognized for its program seven of the past nine years. Additionally, her initiative has resulted in its development of an award-winning distance learning program.

Since its foundation in 1994 the Challenger Learning Center at WJU has received the following recognitions for performance and creativity:

Challenger Center for Space Science Education

The Challenger Learning Center received the following recognitions from the Challenger Center for Space ScienceEducation:

• Most Teachers trained: 1995/96, 1998/99, 2001,02
• Most Students flown: 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02
• Most Missions flown: 2001/02
• Guiding Star Award

Nascio Award

In 2003 the Department of Education and Arts of West Virginia nominated the Space Station Alpha program for the Nascio AWARDS in the area Innovative Use of Technology. For more information go to https://www.nascio.org/awards/2003awards/innovative.cfm

Giraffe Award

On January 10th, 2003, the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Model Schools awarded Nancy Sturm and the Challenger Learning Center with the Giraffe award in recognition for these efforts in "sticking your neck out to benefit student advancement in the area of technology."