Garden City, NY - The Port Authority of NY & NJ’s annual Summer STEM Program brought hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math learning to middle school students from communities surrounding LaGuardia Airport—this year marking the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s sixth year participating.

From July 14–31, about 50 students entering grades 5–8 took part in the free program, sponsored by the Port Authority of NY & NJ, Delta Air Lines, and LaGuardia Gateway Partners. Hosted by the Queens Public Library’s Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center and East Elmhurst Library, the program was led by educators from the Cradle of Aviation Museum. It culminated in a graduation ceremony at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.

Students spent their weekday afternoons exploring aviation and aerospace through engaging, hands-on activities. Highlights included hot air balloon air pollution awareness projects, water filtration design, water rockets, augmented reality maglev vehicles, solar-powered bugs, moon lander and micrometeoroid challenges, circuits, airport and aircraft design with custom nose art, and flight tracking. The museum’s portable planetarium offered an immersive journey through space.

“This program is a shining example of how partnerships can inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,” said Inés Jijón, Director of Education, Cradle of Aviation Museum. “In our sixth year, we’re proud to see how these experiences spark curiosity, build confidence, and open doors to future STEM careers.”

The Cradle of Aviation Museum thanks all program partners for their collaboration in making this year’s Summer STEM Program a success:

·         Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

·         Delta Air Lines

·         LaGuardia Gateway Partners

·         Queens Public Library

·         Langston Hughes Library and Cultural Center

·         East Elmhurst Library

·         Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

·         Library Action Committee of Corona–East Elmhurst, Inc.