Give your students an opportunity to explore, create, experiment, and discover at the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s Joe Clark Innovation Lab, located at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Our instructor-led field trips combine aviation history with hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) experiences. Designed to spark curiosity and encourage exploration, our programs help students connect what they learn in the classroom to the science, technology, and innovation that make flight possible.
Whether students are discovering the forces that keep an aircraft in the air, tackling an engineering challenge, or learning about the pioneers who changed aviation and aerospace, the Innovation Lab offers an engaging experience that encourages them to think like scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Discover the Science of Flight: Students explore the principles of flight, including lift, weight, thrust, and drag. Through interactive activities and guided instruction, they begin to understand the science behind how aircraft fly.
Create Through Hands-On Challenges: Students put their knowledge to work through age-appropriate engineering activities. They design, build, test, and improve their creations while learning that experimentation and problem-solving are essential parts of the engineering process.
Explore Aviation History and Innovation: Inspired by the legendary aviators, engineers, scientists, and explorers honored by the National Aviation Hall of Fame, students discover how creativity, determination, and new ideas have shaped aviation and aerospace.
Connect Learning to Real-World Skills: Through teamwork, experimentation, and guided reflection, students practice critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creative problem-solving while exploring possibilities for future STEM learning and careers.
Project Sky Sail challenges students to think like aerospace engineers!
After exploring the Four Forces of Flight, students work in teams to design and build an aircraft capable of carrying a LEGO® figure through the Joe Clark Innovation Lab’s wind tunnel and lifting it out of the top.
An inspiring video challenge from Charles Bolden, former NASA Administrator and veteran astronaut, encourages students to think big and put their ideas to the test.
The result? A memorable, hands-on lesson in flight, engineering, teamwork, and the power of learning through trial and error.
Note: By request, we can also offer a field trip lesson plan that directly aligns with what your students are currently learning in the classroom
The National Aviation Hall of Fame is committed to inspiring future generations through the stories of America’s aerospace pioneers and engaging educational experiences.
Our field trips connect aviation history with hands-on STEM exploration, helping students see how classroom learning applies to the real world and introducing them to the possibilities of aviation and aerospace.
Every school visit is different! We work with teachers and group leaders to create an experience that fits their students’ ages, interests, learning goals, and available time at the museum.
Whether you have one hour or two, we’ll work with you to design a field trip that makes the most of your visit.
Ready to bring aviation STEM to life for your students? Let’s plan a field trip that inspires curiosity, encourages creativity, and gets students excited about what’s possible.
Contact the National Aviation Hall of Fame to discuss your group’s needs and plan your visit. [email protected]
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