I remember vividly the launch of the Challenger space shuttle on January 28, 1986. All eyes were on the spacecraft that carried seven astronauts, including the first teacher to travel into space, Christa McAuliffe. All of a sudden there was an orange fireball and giant plumes of smoke emanating from it. Images of that explosion are forever etched in the memories of those of us who watched that day. I admired the spirit of Christa, who dared to venture into the unknown and cared so deeply about inspiring her students, planning to share “The Ultimate Field Trip” with them. I had to write “A Song for Christa.”