Learn about Mars without leaving WNY

ALLEGANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Curiosity is already paying off for NASA. The space rover has beamed back its first color photo from the ancient crater on Mars where it landed early Monday morning. The view shows a pebbly landscape and the rim of the giant crater off in the distance.

If Curiosity has piqued your interest in space, you don't have to go far to explore an adventure that's truly out of this world. The path to outer space winds through the southern tier. Did you know we have a space-themed learning program in our own backyard?

The Dresser Rand Learning Center in the Town of Allegany offers missions and activities for groups large and small, designed for ages 11 and up. You can climb into a simulator and blast off to the red planet, rendezvous with Halley's Comet and much more.

Teacher Jim Johnson said, "It's mostly been a 'wow' factor that they get excited when things are going well. They're all smiles. And then when we have a simulation and the clock is ticking, they get confused at first, but then they pull together and make it work."

In October, the learning center will host author and speaker June Scobee Rodgers, the widow of Challenger space shuttle commander Dick Scobee. You can learn more here.