Celebrate the beginning of fall by learning about gravity

Celebrate the beginning of the fall season while learning about the force that causes falling - gravity, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

STEM-related activities and demonstrations will take place in the second and fourth buildings and will allow those of all ages to experience the concept of gravity in a variety of situations including one station which invites participants to try on a real parachute and sit in an actual B-2 ejection seat.

"Storytime" begins at 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. in the STEM Learning Node in the Presidential Gallery. Preschool and primary-grade children are invited to hear stories about gravity. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own paper craft to take home.

The free hands-on Aerospace Adventure will allow participants to build their own paper napkin parachute from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the second building.

Chief Nursing Officer from The Center for Aerospace Nursing Excellence, Scott Rhoades, will make two special presentations describing his experience with freefall aboard a parabolic flight, such as those used to train astronauts. These presentations will take place in the STEM Learning Node in the Global Reach Gallery at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

All activities are free and open to the public! No advanced reservations are necessary. Call the Education Division at (937) 255-4646 for additional information.

Some materials for the program are being provided through the generosity of the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc.  (Federal endorsement is not implied). 

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Education Division at (937) 255-4646.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Danielle Almeter at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1283.