DAYTON, Ohio --
Home school students can explore the world's largest aviation museum and learn about aviation history and STEM topics during Spring Home School Day on April 20 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Throughout the day, home school children, ages 3-18, can participate in a number of free educational activities, many focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) themes. There is no advance registration; however, there is limited seating capacity for some programs.
(Note: The spring program is a repeat of the October 2014 Home School Day.)
There will be four auditorium-style presentations in the museum's Carney Auditorium:
- "Light and Lasers" (9:45-10:45 a.m.)
- "Anatomy of a Failure" (11 a.m.-noon)
- "Robots in the Sky" (1:15-2:15 p.m.)
- "Faces of the Holocaust" (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
Subject matter for these programs is targeted mostly towards students in grades 5 and above. Take-home, hands-on extension projects will be distributed to those in attendance. Seating in the auditorium will open no earlier than 15 minutes before each program begins.
In addition, four hands-on classes will be offered in the museum's Learning Center:
- "Rolling Things" (9:30-10:30 a.m.) - for grades 1, 2 and 3
- "Space Station Math" (10:45-11:45 a.m.) - for grades 4, 5 and 6
- "Nanotechnology" (1-2 p.m.) - for grades 5, 6, 7 and 8
- "Aircraft Design Challenge" (2:15-3:30 pm) - for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
The Learning Center has a limited seating capacity, so participation will be limited to youngsters of the correct age level only (no siblings or parents). Line numbers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 9 a.m. on April 20 in the museum's Kettering Hall.
Guided tours, storytimes, scavenger hunts and aerospace demonstration stations, including U.S. Air Force Research Lab Discovery Center demonstrations of some of the latest advances in technology, also are available for the entire family. Those who are interested may come for a full day or just one activity. Visitors may also visit the Space Shuttle Exhibit, choose to watch a movie in the digital 3D theatre or ride the interactive flight simulators. More information is available at
www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/education/homeschool/index.asp.
If you wish to pack your lunch, a picnic area is available outside the museum. Food, snacks and drinks (including water bottles) may not be brought into the building. A café is available on the second floor if you prefer to purchase your food at the museum. Be advised that the outside picnic area is a considerable walking distance away from the activities. Be sure to adjust your timing accordingly.
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 17 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 Sarah Swan at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1283.