The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. is celebrating the reopening of two new classrooms for aerospace learning, thanks to a generous $1 million donation from GE Aerospace. This initiative aims to inspire and engage students, aligning with the museum’s 50th anniversary, and is designed to facilitate hands-on experimentation and learning for hundreds of students each year.
In addition to the classrooms, the funding will enhance staffing for educational programs, including “Museum Labs,” where museum educators will lead field trips featuring iconic artifacts.
Beth Crownover, the museum’s Director of Education, emphasized the potential to transform K-12 learning through direct engagement with historic items, enhancing the educational experience for students.
This gift continues GE Aerospace’s support of the museum, which also includes sponsorship of the Demonstration Theater in the “How Things Fly” gallery, offering interactive STEM programs to make flight science more accessible.
Meghan Thurlow, president of the GE Aerospace Foundation, noted the importance of creating inspiring educational spaces for students and educators to cultivate curiosity and hands-on learning.
The museum is located on Jefferson Drive in D.C., open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed on Dec. 25), with free admission but timed-entry passes required. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, also offers free admission without the need for timed passes.
For those interested, photos and related video content can be found here.
