Throughout the history of aviation and space exploration, women have fought to be on equal terms with their male counterparts. At this family day, enjoy learning about the significant contributions women have made despite the many challenges they faced. The day will feature presentations by women in the field, hands-on activities, and stories.
TIMED PRESENTATIONS
Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, Jr. (USMC Ret.)
Hear from former NASA astronaut and current NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden
In the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
11:00 a.m.
NASA Astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson
In the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
11:30 a.m.
Ruth Law: Pioneering Aviator
Character performance by Natalie Zanin
In the World War II section of the Boeing Aviation Hangar
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ask an Expert Curator Talk
Join curator Jennifer Levasseur as she discusses the Canadarm and how it helped spacewalkers.
Meet at Space Shuttle Discovery in the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
10:30 a.m.
Ask An Expert Curator Talk
Join curator Margaret Weitekamp as she discusses Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek, and NASA’s astronaut recruitment
Meet at the stage in the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
12:30 p.m.
LCDR Jeanine Menze and Lt. La’Shanda Holmes
Hear from the first female African American US Coast Guard aviator and the first female African American US Coast Guard helicopter pilot
In the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
1:30 p.m.
TIMED ACTIVITIES
Women of World War II Hands-On History Activity
Join author Sandra O’Connell to learn what women did to support the war. See a 1940s telephone, WWII war bon bond stamps and uniforms, and decorate WWII paper dolls.
In the Boeing Aviation Hangar
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Story Time, Hands of Activity, and Dress Up Corner
I'm Amelia Earhart, written by Brad Meltzer
In the Boeing Aviation Hangar
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Portable Planetarium
In the Boeing Aviation Hangar, West Gallery
10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.
Women in Aviation Tour
Meet at the Docent Tour Desk
10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
ALL DAY ACTIVITIES AND PRESENTATIONS
Hands-On Coding Lab
Learn the basics of coding with the Museum’s Aerospace Educator-in-Residence Barbara Gruber and author Laurie Wallmark using self-paced tutorials with Star Wars, Frozen, and Minecraft themes. Space is limited.
In the Claude Moore Education Center
Ruth Law: Pioneer Aviator Archives Presentation
View material from the Museum’s Archives and learn about Ruth Law, the third American woman to earn her pilot’s license, the first female pilot to loop the loop, and the first American woman authorized to wear a military uniform.
In the Boeing Aviation Hangar
Paper Airplane Design Challenge
In the Claude Moore Education Center
Hands-on Activities and Career Talks
Talk to and learn from visiting aviation and space STEM professionals
In the Boeing Aviation Hangar
Discovery Stations and Interactives
In the Boeing Aviation Hangar
BOOK SIGNINGS
Where No Man Can Touch by Pat Valdata
Outside the Museum store
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
An American Family in World War II by Sandra O’Connell
Outside the Museum store
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark
Outside the Museum store
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
The Heritage Family Day series is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman Corporation.