How did the Apollo 11 Command Module travel to the moon and back? How did the Wright brothers dare fly that flimsy-looking contraption? What does the cosmic dust inside comets look like? What makes kites soar in the air? Every year the National Air and Space Museum hosts educational family days where experts, who were inspired by their own sense of wonder, share their achievements in aviation and spaceflight.
As part of the Smithsonian’s Heritage and History education initiative, the National Air and Space Museum will present a “Heritage Family Day” series celebrating ethnic and cultural diversity. The series coincides with national observances, focusing specifically on the contributions that diverse communities have made to aviation and space exploration. These activity-filled days, which will take place at the National Mall building and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, offer parents and children the opportunity to meet role models—ranging from World War II pilots to astronomers—who may inspire future generations to consider careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Support for “Heritage Family Day” series is provided by the Northrop Grumman Corporation. This is the fifth consecutive year that the company has sponsored this series.
"The 'Heritage Family Day' series helps fulfill an important part of the National Air and Space Museum's mission: to educate and inspire visitors," said Gen. J.R. "Jack" Dailey, director of the museum. "Many astronauts, pilots and engineers who participate in museum programs have told us that they were inspired by the artifacts and exhibitions they saw here when they were children."
The series opens Feb. 13 at the museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center with "African American Pioneers Day," which showcases the contributions of African Americans to aviation and space exploration. Visitors will have the chance to meet members of the Tuskegee Airmen, African American pilots who flew during WWII, as well as NASA astronauts, and be inspired by their determination and perseverance. On Feb. 20, the second "African American Pioneers Day" will be held at the National Mall building.
On March 13, the Women in Aviation and Space day will take place at the Udvar-Hazy Center, and visitors will learn about the accomplishments of women in aviation, science and aerospace. This program is presented in partnership with the Girl Scouts of America, and visitors will be able to view science projects by local Girl Scout troops.
On March 20, "Kites of Asia Day," will be held at the National Mall building in partnership with the Freer and Sackler galleries. There will be demonstrations of a variety of Asian kites, and curators will explain how kites have influenced the development of aviation and the science behind kite flying. Visitors can decorate and build their own kites.
Explore the Universe Day will take place at the National Mall building April 10. Astronomy will serve as a common theme for visitors to learn how different people and cultures view and talk about the sky. The programs will focus on Native American and Asian sky stories.
The last Heritage Family Day of the 2010 series will be Oct. 16 at the National Mall building and will celebrate Hispanic Heritage in partnership with the Smithsonian’s Latino Center’s Argentina at the Smithsonian program. There will be bilingual programming and visitors will have the chance to meet Hispanic aviation professionals and engineers.
For more information about the museum's "Family Day" series, visit: http://www.nasm.si.edu.
The National Air and Space Museum building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport. Both facilities are open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free, but there is a $15 fee for parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center.