In 1903, the Wright brothers made the first heavier-than-air powered flight—changing the course of humanity. However, people practiced aviation even before 1903—flying in airships, balloons, and gliders among other craft. Today, aviation is an integral part of our modern life.

A woman stands on the wing of an airplane.

In 1903, the Wright brothers made the first heavier-than-air powered flight—changing the course of humanity. However, people practiced aviation even before 1903—flying in airships, balloons, and gliders among other craft. Today, aviation is an integral part of our modern life.

A woman stands on the wing of an airplane.
Stories See all Stories
Crash Course “If You Can See It, You Can Be It.” Jumbo Jet A Breath of Fresh Air The Secret History of Drones
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Mail Away, Mail Away, Mail Away Presented Online Watch on demand Vice Adm. Donald D. Engen Flight Jacket Night Presented Online Watch on demand Spy Planes: Eyes in the Sky Presented Online Watch On Demand Now
Eventos See all Eventos Learn more Story Time: I am Amelia Earhart Presented Online - Learn more Vice Adm. Donald D. Engen Flight Jacket Night Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and Presented Online November 20, 2024 | 8 pm ET Learn more Women Take Flight: Stories of Air and Sea from the U.S. Coast Guard Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and Presented Online -
Exhibitions See all Exhibitions
Learn more Modern Military Aviation Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA Learn more Ultralight Aircraft Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Learning Resources See all Learning Resources
The Olive Problem How does an olive alter an airline's bottom line? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXZrViOxcdc Grade 5, Grade 7, Grade 6, Grade 8 Aviation, Commercial aviation, General aviation, People

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Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Bessie Coleman - Spanish Packet of experiments and other interactive activities to expand topics connected to Bessie Coleman and early flight. These activities connect to common core and Next Generation Science standards. https://s.si.edu/BessieColemanPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2 Aviation, Aircraft, Women, Records and Firsts, African American or Black people, Early flight

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Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Wright Brothers - Spanish A mix of activities from experiments to writing activities. Expand learning on concepts connected to the Wright Brothers and Early Flight. These activities connect to standards of learning. https://s.si.edu/WrightBrothersPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2 Aircraft, Balloons, Aviation, Early flight, People, Records and Firsts

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Flights of Fancy Story Time: Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Air Show - Spanish A mixture of experiments and activities to expand the learning on the Air Show Storytime. Learn about Air Circuses and Air Shows with activities that connect to learning standards. https://s.si.edu/AirShowPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2 Aircraft, Aviation

Teacher

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History of Airline Food A short history of airline food. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcXBBxDFaAs Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 Aviation, Commercial aviation, Human spaceflight, Physical science, Spaceflight

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Animals in the Sky Scavenger Hunt for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Explore the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Can you find the animal names of our aircraft? https://s.si.edu/AnimalsintheSky Grade PK, Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 Aviation

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Publications See all Publications
Learn more Milestones of Flight: The Epic of Aviation with the National Air and Space Museum Learn more Art of the Airport Tower
Explore other subtopics Aircraft Commercial aviation Sports aviation Military aviation Vertical flight Helicopters General aviation Balloons Early flight Airships Ultralights Interwar aviation