School Groups - The Cradle of Aviation Museum

Space Explorers Program

SPACE EXPLORERS SHUTTLE TEAM CENTER

The Cradle of Aviation has been designated as one of six sites by NASA for this exciting new program that allows students to launch and land a Space Shuttle. Students will learn about the critical nature of teamwork, effective communication and real time problem solving using the systems used by NASA mission control and space shuttle crews. NASA’s Space Explorers shuttle trainer features three-quarter scale replicas of the mission control console and shuttle flight deck controls. While learning about the importance of teamwork, students are exposed to the science and technology of the Shuttle.

Space Explorer Shuttle Mission (1.5 hour program)

The Space Shuttle is one of the most complex and inspiring vehicles on the planet. Piloting it takes a team that can work in a fast-paced, exciting environment. In this program, every student will build such a team by taking one of six roles in either our Mission Control Center or Shuttle cockpit. The positions include: pilot, commander, mission specialist, sim director, flight director, sim communicator. Not only will students have a part in putting the shuttle into orbit but this program will educate
students about the science and the teamwork needed to get there.

Program length: 1.5 hours
Group Minimum: 18 students
Group Maximum: 30 students per 1.5 hour session
Grade level: 4th and up
Student Cost: $3/student (in addition to museum admission)
Teachers/Chaperones: Free (museum admission still applies)

School Group Classes

New! Force and Motion 30 minutes, grades 4-12
Experience Isaac Newton in a whole new way! Students will pull, knock and twist their way into a better understanding of Newton’s laws of motion through fun, engaging experiments. They will not only have a better appreciation for his laws, but students will never look at their world the same way again. Experiments include pulling a table cloth from under dishes and racing against other students in our Third Law Challenge!

Comets are Coming! 30 minutes, grades 4 -12
Comets have been feared and praised throughout time; many now believe these dirty snowballs are even responsible for all life! Discover one of the many mysteries of space when we cook up our own comet exploring the characteristics, orbits and origins of these frozen space travelers!

Starlab 50 minutes, grades 1-12
Learn all about the current night sky and the beautiful stars that create it while listening to the exciting stories behind them. Some are of Queens, Indians, hunters and dragons while others are about dogs, bears and lions! You will even learn how to tell a star’s age and temperature when you enter into this portable planetarium.

Weather to Fly By 30 minutes, grades 3-8
What is something that each and every one of us, including animals and plants, has to deal with everyday, all year long? Yes, it is weather! Find out about basic weather patterns, where weather can be found, its effects on aircraft and the ingredients you need to conjure up some destructive forces!

Space Toys 30 minutes, grades 2-10
Did you ever think that toys could be so scientific! In this program students will play the role of scientist and engineer while playing with toys and examining the physics behind them. Students will then have to predict if these same toys will work in microgravity, just like experiments astronauts have conducted in space!

Living in Space 30 minutes, all grade levels.
There are many things one needs to know before venturing up into space…like how does one survive? The most common and practical questions will be answered on what life is like in space. Students will discover where to sleep, what kind of food is available, what astronauts wear and how they go to the bathroom. Students will even get to try on a space suit!

Rockets Away! 30 minutes, grades 4-12
Rocketry is an important development in modern day science and technology. This program will guide students through historic milestones leading to some of the current uses of rockets. Demonstrations of basic rockets will be included.

Kites! 30 minutes, grades 1-3
3000 years ago the Chinese invented kites and today most of us have attempted to fly one. Learn how kites were precursors to airplanes and build your own kite.

How Does It Fly? 30 minutes, Grades1-8
What are lift, thrust and drag? These are just a few of the concepts explored in this program that features hands-on demonstrations covering the history of air travel. Explanations of how flight is accomplished will provide insight into the scientific principles of flight.

Fly By Math 50 minutes, grades 4-9
This math program puts students’ skills to the ultimate test—can they safely direct air traffic? Recreating the intense atmosphere of air traffic control centers, it’s up to the students to see if they need to change the plane’s direction or speed by putting their math skills to use in these real world situations.

Moon Tech 30 minutes, grades 4-12
In parallel with development of new manned spacecraft under the Constellation Program, robotic explorers will serve as trailblazers to reduce the risks and costs of future human space exploration. Come learn about the robotic technologies being developed and used to get us there!

Mission to Mars 30 minutes, grades 4-12
Be on the cutting edge of biological research as we gear up to head for the Red Planet and beyond. Of the many hurdles NASA must first clear, none is more imposing than those in the field of biology. Has life existed on Mars before and if so can it happen again? Using hands-on demonstrations, students will learn more about these problems and future breakthroughs.

Guided Tour: Highlights of Long Island Aviation 50 minutes, all grade levels
From ballooning to the Moon…an evolution of aviation, all in under an hour. This museum educator-led program will take your group through the museum’s collections focusing upon major events and aircraft in aviation history. Inquiry based learning will help students interpret the history of aviation on Long Island according to the age level and needs of each group.

The Self-Guided Museum Experience
Your group may visit the museum galleries without a guide. The exhibits are in chronological order and throughout the museum, our volunteer docents are there to share their aerospace experience.