Through our educational activities and public programs, the National Air and Space Museum inspires all individuals to reach their full potential by sharing stories and experiences about aviation, spaceflight, and the universe.
The Museum’s approach to education and public engagement reaches people in a variety of ways, through hands-on educational experiences, public engagement at evening programs, and connecting our content with people beyond the walls of the museum.
In FY 2017, the Museum was focused on using the fascinating topics encompassed by our collection to engage with visitors of all ages in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) topics. The Museum’s ability to educate and inspire people everywhere shone bright during the August eclipse that crossed the continental United States (see Spotlight below).
Nearly a million personal education experiences were shared with Museum visitors during FY 2017, including activities such as astronomical observing, story time reading for younger visitors, art projects, docent-led tours, science demonstrations, planetarium shows, interactive video conferences, and teacher professional development.
The year’s programming had something for everyone:
The Museum also engages in digital outreach efforts to educate and inspire audiences everywhere. This year we reached further beyond our walls than ever before:
Complete list of educational activities and programming in 2017.
One of 2017’s biggest stories across the country, and especially at the National Air and Space Museum, was the August 21 solar eclipse. While the “path of totality” stretched in a swath across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina, the eclipse could be viewed in some capacity from anywhere in the contiguous United States.
Here in Washington, DC, we experienced 81 percent totality at the peak of the eclipse. Thanks to the efforts of our team at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory – and foresight that this eclipse would capture the public’s attention – we were able to use this spectacular natural phenomenon as an opportunity to inform, educate, and inspire. Astronomy educators Genevieve de Messieres, Shauna Edson, and Rebecca Ljungren took the lead on this effort, ordering eclipse glasses for free distribution; creating online educational materials for classrooms, families, and eclipse viewers across the country; and planning day-of programming to provide an inspirational eclipse-viewing experience for those at our locations in Washington, DC, and Chantilly, Virginia. Highlights of our eclipse activities included:
For the team at the Public Observatory, the eclipse was a chance to share their passion of astronomy with the world, and was a highlight of 2017. “At the peak of the eclipse, a spontaneous cheer rose from the crowd,” de Messieres recalled. “I paused to stare at the crisp crescent of the Sun and let the experience sink in for myself. The mood of the event was exactly what I hoped for: a gigantic, festive observing party where everyone had the tools they needed to participate. This eclipse was special, and we loved helping many people across the nation be a part of it.”
Programming at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory is made possible by a gift from the Thomas W. Haas Foundation.
Through our educational activities and public programs, the National Air and Space Museum inspires all individuals to reach their full potential by sharing stories and experiences about aviation, spaceflight, and the universe.
The Museum’s approach to education and public engagement reaches people in a variety of ways, through hands-on educational experiences, public engagement at evening programs, and connecting our content with people beyond the walls of the museum.
In FY 2017, the Museum was focused on using the fascinating topics encompassed by our collection to engage with visitors of all ages in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) topics. The Museum’s ability to educate and inspire people everywhere shone bright during the August eclipse that crossed the continental United States (see Spotlight below).
Nearly a million personal education experiences were shared with Museum visitors during FY 2017, including activities such as astronomical observing, story time reading for younger visitors, art projects, docent-led tours, science demonstrations, planetarium shows, interactive video conferences, and teacher professional development.
The year’s programming had something for everyone:
The Museum also engages in digital outreach efforts to educate and inspire audiences everywhere. This year we reached further beyond our walls than ever before:
Complete list of educational activities and programming in 2017.
One of 2017’s biggest stories across the country, and especially at the National Air and Space Museum, was the August 21 solar eclipse. While the “path of totality” stretched in a swath across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina, the eclipse could be viewed in some capacity from anywhere in the contiguous United States.
Here in Washington, DC, we experienced 81 percent totality at the peak of the eclipse. Thanks to the efforts of our team at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory – and foresight that this eclipse would capture the public’s attention – we were able to use this spectacular natural phenomenon as an opportunity to inform, educate, and inspire. Astronomy educators Genevieve de Messieres, Shauna Edson, and Rebecca Ljungren took the lead on this effort, ordering eclipse glasses for free distribution; creating online educational materials for classrooms, families, and eclipse viewers across the country; and planning day-of programming to provide an inspirational eclipse-viewing experience for those at our locations in Washington, DC, and Chantilly, Virginia. Highlights of our eclipse activities included:
For the team at the Public Observatory, the eclipse was a chance to share their passion of astronomy with the world, and was a highlight of 2017. “At the peak of the eclipse, a spontaneous cheer rose from the crowd,” de Messieres recalled. “I paused to stare at the crisp crescent of the Sun and let the experience sink in for myself. The mood of the event was exactly what I hoped for: a gigantic, festive observing party where everyone had the tools they needed to participate. This eclipse was special, and we loved helping many people across the nation be a part of it.”
Programming at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory is made possible by a gift from the Thomas W. Haas Foundation.