Cradle of Aviation Museum Launches AI in the Airport
Supported by Voya STEM Futures Grant
Garden City, NY, March 18, 2026 - The Cradle of Aviation Museum launched AI in the Airport, a STEM learning experience supported by a $15,000 Voya STEM Futures grant, through the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC).
Introduced in 2025 through school field trips, the program engaged students from Franklin Square UFSD in small-group activities exploring how artificial intelligence is used in the aviation industry, with a focus on customer service, safety, and terminal operations.
Students completed tasks using traditional methods, then repeated them using AI-supported approaches, evaluating how technology affected efficiency and decision-making. This hands-on comparison built critical thinking while introducing real-world applications of emerging technology.
The program was designed to:
• Introduce core concepts of artificial intelligence
• Strengthen problem-solving and evaluation skills through applied activities
• Increase awareness of aviation and STEM career pathways
With support from Voya STEM Futures, the Museum was able to offer the program and admission at no cost to participating schools, expanding access for students across the region.
The Cradle of Aviation Museum thanks the Voya Foundation and ASTC for their support.
About the Cradle of Aviation Museum
Located on Museum Row in Garden City, the Cradle of Aviation Museum is home to more than 75 air and spacecraft spanning over 100 years of aviation history. It is also home to Long Island’s only Giant Screen Dome Theater—the Catholic Health Sky Theater Planetarium. For more information, visit www.cradleofaviation.org or call (516) 572-4111.
About the Voya Foundation
Voya Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Voya Financial, focused on supporting financial resilience, workforce readiness, and community well-being. Through initiatives such as Voya STEM Futures, the Foundation provides funding to organizations that expand access to STEM education and career exploration opportunities for students nationwide. For more information, visit www.voya.com .
About the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is a global network of science centers and museums dedicated to increasing public engagement with science. ASTC supports its members through professional development, research, and collaborative initiatives that advance STEM learning and connect communities. For more information, visit www.astc.org
