School children from across the United States will visit the newest addition to the Smithsonian Institution on April 20 without ever leaving their desks. By taking part in an "Electronic Field Trip (EFT)," participating schools will visit the National Air and Space Museum's new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which opened in December.

Electronic Field Trips are designed to inspire children to explore new learning concepts and consider future career possibilities through a combination of live, interactive broadcasts and online curriculum. Developed by teachers and content experts, EFTs meet national teaching standards.

During The Future Takes Off virtual visit on April 20, students will view aviation and space icons such as the SR-71 Blackbird and the Space Shuttle Enterprise, and learn about advances in flight from actual pilots, engineers and museum curators. Demonstrations and hands-on activities will enrich the learning experience.

Teachers at participating schools will have classroom materials and online activities to make the learning experience even more interactive. In addition, audience members can send in questions via e-mail or telephone.  

 "We are pleased that this program allows us to show students our large collection of air and space artifacts, many of which have never been on display before the new center opened," said Gen. J.R. "Jack" Dailey, director of the National Air and Space Museum.

 The Future Takes Off  field trip is the second of two at the National Air and Space Museum celebrating the centennial of flight. The first, in October, 2003, took an in-depth look at the museum's new exhibition on the National Mall, The Wright Brothers and The Invention of the Aerial Age.

The EFT is geared toward grades 3-8.  Each 90-minute live session, airing at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (EDT) on April 20, is $75 per school. The EFT program is made possible by Ball State University and the Best Buy Children's Foundation, which will pay the fee for any school that requests it. 

Schools may register online at http://www.bsu.edu/eftsite/ireg.html, by e-mailing insite@bsu.edu, or calling 866-279-8716.

The National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center opened Dec. 15, 2003. Many engines, rockets, satellites, gliders, helicopters, airliners, ultra-lights and experimental flying machines are on display for the first time. Among the aircraft visitors can see are a Concorde; a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird; an F-4 Phantom fighter; the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, and the de Havilland Chipmunk aerobatic airplane. Eventually, more than 200 aircraft and 135 large space artifacts will be exhibited, roughly 80 percent of the museum's collection.