Innovation Lab

Giving Thanks for the Science of Flight

October 29, 2026

We’re putting a little lift into the holiday season during Open Kids Labs at the Joe Clark Innovation Lab! Students and families will explore the challenges of holiday air travel, imagine celebrating Thanksgiving in space, and even discover how math helps make the perfect pumpkin pie. We’ll also fly some turkey copters and study the science behind Thanksgiving Day parade balloons. Open Kids Labs are every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 am–2 pm. Come to Science Saturday on November 21, 10 am–2 pm. On Science Saturday, power up your curiosity with a hands-on exploration of robotics, technology, and engineering!...

They Felt the Need for Speed!

September 28, 2026

In celebration of Chuck Yeager and the Bell X-1 breaking the sound barrier 79 years ago this month, we’re taking a look at some of the National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees who also felt the need for speed! From record-breaking propeller aircraft to supersonic jets and hypersonic flight, these aviation pioneers’ innovations pushed the limits of what was possible and helped us discover just how fast humans could fly. Learn about their amazing stories and explore the science behind speed at the Joe Clark Innovation Lab this month during Open Kids Labs! Open Kids Labs are every Tuesday, Thursday,...

It’s Literally Rocket Science (Month)!

August 26, 2026

Did you know that before NASA sent astronauts to the Moon, American rocket pioneer and NAHF Enshrinee Robert H. Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket—in 1926 in Auburn, Massachusetts? It flew only about 41 feet and remained in the air for just 2.5 seconds, but that tiny flight helped launch the Space Age! In celebration of Goddard’s achievement and the work of many other aerospace heroes, September’s Open Kids Labs will be all about rockets. Through hands-on activities, experiments, and engineering challenges, visitors will investigate how rockets fly, what makes them move, how they are designed, and how they...

Out of this World: Last Month for Summer of Space

July 28, 2026

Whether you want to explore distant galaxies, design a next-generation aircraft, or discover the stories of aerospace pioneers, August is the perfect time to visit the Joe Clark Innovation Lab. We’ll have lots of activities inspired by NASA missions—such as this month’s planned launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope—and the pioneering achievements of NAHF Enshrinees Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin, and Katherine Johnson: Create Solar System artwork using a drawing robot. Examine real moon rocks, meteorites, spacesuit materials, and freeze-dried space food under a microscope. Fly Space Trooper copters in our wind tunnel. Watch the Artemis II...

Out of this World: Summer of Space Continues!

May 27, 2026

“The most important thing we can do is inspire young minds and to advance the kind of science, math, and technology education that will help youngsters take us to the next phase of space travel,” said National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinee John Glenn. That’s exactly what NAHF is doing this summer. The Joe Clark Innovation Lab continues to host week-long camps through July, but there is plenty of space travel inspiration for kids and their families in our Heritage Hall and Education Center. You can still catch the Artemis II recap film, take a selfie in a real NASA...

Feeling the Forces of Flight

May 4, 2026

May in the Joe Clark Innovation Lab is all about flight mechanics: Browse our library, where we’ve added new books about aviation adventurers. Explore an interactive timeline of aviation milestones that chart the evolution of the mechanics of flight. Attend “Why I Fly” video screenings to hear modern-day aviators talk about their passion for flight. Come to Science Saturday on May 16, when we’ll dive deep into flight mechanics with hands-on activities and engaging demonstrations that bring aviation science to life! We’ll explore the four forces of flight, how wings create lift, including how winglets improve flight efficiency, how pilots...

Robotics, Women Aerospace Heroes, and More!

February 25, 2026

From celebrating the legacy of past space pioneers to cheering on the next giant leap with the upcoming launch of Artemis II, March at the Joe Clark Innovation Lab will be filled with discovery, inspiration, and hands-on activities. Open Kids Labs are held from 10 am–2 pm every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Check out these March Lab highlights! March 4–8: Robotics in the Lab In conjunction with the 2026 Ohio V5RC MS Robotics State Championship, being held at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the Lab will offer a variety of robotics-themed activities. Visitors can create...

Innovation Lab Transformation

August 1, 2024

Transforming our Heritage Hall and Education Center (HHEC) into an engaging educational environment! Thanks to the invaluable support of The Berry Family Foundation, National Aviation Heritage Alliance, The Kettering Fund, Cirrus, Garmin, College Advantage and many individual donors, our Joe Clark Innovation Lab is open and buzzing with activity. Transforming Vision into Reality With generous community support, we successfully completed the second phase of our transformation project, culminating in the creation of a 1,600 sq. ft. immersive innovation lab. This project is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision, resulting in a creative space that engages, educates,...

Innovation Lab – Week 15 Updates

April 30, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. It’s finally here! The Joe Clark Innovation Lab is just days away from being unveiled to the world. The signs are up, the displays are built, and we are ready to reopen to the public. REALLY GETTING INTO IT Here Terry has got the shoes of and is putting the finishing touches on the display case that will be highlighting the Collier Trophy and some fine looking model aircraft. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,… Here you can see where ideas go to take-off. Markers and magnets will be available for kids, and adults alike, can start...

Innovation Lab – Week 14 Updates

April 19, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. This is the crew that is making all of the magic happen with the Innovation Lab. A team dedicated to perfecting the audio, visual, lighting, & construction for everyone who enters to have the best experience possible. They are (L-R) Terry Glispin, Emily Groemmer, Lily Korolkoff, Patrick Denny, & Sean Denny. Petting Zoo A cross section of a wing and a propeller nose are just two of the items that kids and adults alike will be able to put into their hands to as part of the aviation petting zoo inside the Innovation Lab. Special Effects...

Innovation Lab – Week 13 Updates

April 16, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. This week has brought us to the beginning of the detail work within the lab. As you can see there have been new multi-colored lights installed to give the lab a very dynamic feel even when the lab may not be in use with a class or visitors. DISPLAY CASES One of the new display cases that will house displays about the Collier Trophy and the Enshrinees who have won it and the other will be the “Forces of Flight” display. The small kiosk will be a hands-on interactive display. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL The air traffic...

Innovation Lab – Week 11 Updates

April 1, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. The Painting has begun, the new glass has been installed, and the doors are in place. Plus, we had a partial opening for the Bunny Trail event with an incredible 4447 visitors! These are exciting times! The Colors The new paint is really giving a splash of color to the Innovation Lab. This blue may not look like it in this photo because it is still wet, but it matches the blue that is used in the theatre sign. Veterans/Volunteers On Friday March 29 the NMUSAF held a “Plane Talk” day in observance of National Vietnam...

Innovation Lab – Week 10 Updates

March 29, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. The Hard Hat Day was a smashing success. Thanks to all of those who came out to see the progress of the Innovation Lab. We look forward to seeing those of you who could not make it very soon. We couldn’t make it work without our volunteers. Paint & Primer Terry Glispin, of Tanata Productions, rolls on a coat of primer on the finished drywall. Terry is great to work with and has a great taste in music. The Glass Most of the glass has been installed and looks great. As you can see here, the...

Innovation Lab – Week 9 Updates

March 15, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. Week 8 has been another busy week around the NAHF. The drywall has been mudded, sanded, and the dust cleaned up. The glass for the Innovation Lab has been delivered and starting Monday, the installation work begins. The cleaning and preparations for re-opening has begun. THE RED ROCKET We recently uncovered this model rocket and we are looking to possibly putting it on display in the new Innovation Lab. THE CLEANING BEGINS Meagan spent a good part of the day on Friday cleaning off the vestibule roof. This was quite the task as there was an...

Innovation Lab – Week 8 Updates

March 11, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. Week 8 has come and gone and I thought I would start this week off with a little laugh. It is hard to fathom that there are actually people in this world that are not fans of aviation. I think this cartoon just pokes a little bit of fun at those individuals that don’t share our love for all things flight. DRYWALL IS UP! Last week the framing, this week the drywall. The Innovation Lab is really beginning to take shape and you can feel the excitement starting to build as we near the April 1...

Innovation Lab – Week 6 Updates

February 23, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. This has been a very busy and exciting week. The framing is completed. The drywall was delivered. Electrical installation has begun along with the plumbing for the sink. Soon we will be announcing a hard hat day for volunteers to visit the National Aviation Hall of Fame and see the progress that has been made it is an exciting time!

Innovation Lab – Week 5 Updates

February 23, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. Week 5 has been an exciting week! The framing arrived and the building of the innovation lab has begun.

Innovation Lab – Week 4 Updates

February 9, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. This week things got turned upside in the Hall. We said goodbye to the X-Jet/Dr. Sam Williams/JetAnimation kiosk. The X-Jet display hanging from the ceiling will be staying, but as we get closer to a re-open date our young X-Jet pilot is being scheduled for some much needed TLC. Deck Work The deck of the aircraft carrier got a little love from volunteer Dick Palmer this week. His steady hand was able to get the numbers and center lines bright and shiny once again. The black surface is next to get a fresh coat. Apartment, Paris...

Innovation Lab – Week 3 Updates

February 2, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. Week three has brought some big changes inside the hall. Can you see the big change that has taken place since last week? Look closely. If you can’t see it, I’ll go ahead and tell you. The banners that hung far above the Hall have come down. It makes a stark difference when you see it in person. Multi-Media Shelf Linda and I spent the majority of one day working to organizing, separate, and clean shelves and empty boxes to give us more an idea of what is archived. 16mm film, 8mm film, VHS, DVD, and...

Innovation Lab – Week 2 Updates

January 26, 2024

Innovation Lab Weekly Update. Week two has been filled with surprises and excitement. The more we proceed into this adventure, the more we reach into the past and discover things that have not seen the light of day in a long time. As we look to touch the past we are also getting very excited about what the future hold for us at the NAHF. The “Footprint” Emily, the Innovation LabDesigner, was here for most of the week laying out the footprint of the lab. We also worked in tandem with her to find some items to use within the...

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