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.

Stories

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AirSpace Revisited: Smoke from a Distant Fire The P-3 Orion Was Made for Hunting Submarines
How Active Volcanoes Can Put Airplanes in Danger The Fascinating History of a P-61 Black Widow That Time We Bombed a Volcano
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On demand

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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
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Events

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Learn more Story Time: Yellow Copter National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Thursdays in July 2025 at 11:00 am Learn more Story Time: Lisa's Airplane Trip National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Thursdays in January 2025 at 11:00 am Learn more Story Time: Lisa's Airplane Trip National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Thursdays in January 2025 at 11:00 am
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Exhibitions

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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
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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

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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

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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Publications

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Learn more Milestones of Flight: The Epic of Aviation with the National Air and Space Museum Learn more Art of the Airport Tower
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