Aviation
Spaceflight
Astronomy
Behind the scenes
People
Records and Firsts
Science
Society and Culture
Technology and Engineering
War and Conflict

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.
Aviation
Spaceflight
Astronomy
Behind the scenes
People
Records and Firsts
Science
Society and Culture
Technology and Engineering
War and Conflict

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.

On demand

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Pitcairn PA-5 Mailwing
Event

Mail Away, Mail Away, Mail Away

Presented Online
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man in aircraft smiling and holding up seven fingers
Event

Vice Adm. Donald D. Engen Flight Jacket Night

Presented Online
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A black spy plane stands in an all black air hanger, lit from the light from above. The curvy form of the plane--bulging at two engines on either wing and curving up toward the cockpit--give the sense of an almost science fiction aircraft (although it's very real).
Event

Spy Planes: Eyes in the Sky

Presented Online
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Events

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A book cover with a yellow helicopter on it.
Event

Story Time: Yellow Copter

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Thursdays in July 2025 at 11:00 am
Book cover for Sally's Great Balloon Adventure
Event

Story Time: Sally’s Great Balloon Adventure

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Thursdays in March 2025 at 11:00 am
A book cover with a yellow helicopter on it.
Event

Story Time: Yellow Copter

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Thursdays in July 2025 at 11:00 am
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Exhibitions

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Grob 102 Standard Astir III at the Udvar-Hazy Center
Exhibition

Sport Aviation

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
On View Exhibition
Two silver airplanes suspended in midair. One large one is for Eastern Airlines, one smaller one reads TWA on the side.
Exhibition

America by Air

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
On View Exhibition
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Learning Resources

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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

Student

educational-use-permitted

 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

Teacher

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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

Teacher

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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

Other

educational-use-permitted

 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

Parent/Caregiver

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