Out of this World: Last Month for Summer of Space
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 recap film.
- Catch astronaut and NAHF Enshrinee Hoot Gibson in the Discovering Flight Theatre.
- Learn about NAHF Enshrinees who traveled to space and those who walked on the Moon.
- Take a selfie in a real NASA spacesuit or with the Artemis II crew display.
- Test your skills in the Hubble Space Telescope simulator.
- Complete space-themed activity sheets and hands-on engineering challenges.
- Design and launch your own spacecraft creation.
From August 6–9, we’ll also celebrate the 2026 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Lift Challenge and Flite Fest at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Through interactive STEM challenges in the Lab, you can explore the engineering principles behind flight, including aircraft design, aerodynamics, weight and balance, flight stability, electric propulsion, and the engineering design process:
- Build a drone copter and fly it in our wind tunnel.
- Build and test your own airplane model.
- Solve DARPA drone tangram flight puzzles.
- Power a propeller with our DARPA electronic circuits challenge.
- Participate in the Flite Fest paper aircraft build, test and fly challenge
- Experiment with remote-control aircraft.
You can also explore the DARPA photo exhibit showcasing advanced aerospace research and emerging technologies and watch the Flite Test short film in our Discovering Flight Theatre.
Open Kids Labs are every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 am–2 pm.
Come to Science Saturday on August 15, 1–3 pm!
Join us as we explore the exciting world of Joby Aviation’s electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, one of the most innovative advances in modern flight.
Through hands-on STEM activities and engineering challenges, you’ll discover how electric propulsion, lightweight materials, and cutting-edge design are transforming the way we travel. While NASA explores the universe with powerful spacecraft and telescopes, companies like Joby are using that same spirit of innovation to revolutionize transportation on Earth.
Can’t make it to the Lab this month? Wherever you are, you can still explore space from home with our online games, experiments, and other activities. You can also learn how to build your own drone!
Enshrinee Spotlight: Katherine Johnson
Our August spotlight is on Katherine Johnson, a mathematician whose brilliance helped make modern space exploration possible. Her precise calculations guided America’s first human spaceflight missions, including John Glenn’s historic orbital flight and the Apollo missions to the Moon.
Today, NASA continues to push the boundaries of scientific discovery while organizations like DARPA accelerate the development of breakthrough aerospace technologies. Both reflect the same spirit of innovation, curiosity, and problem-solving that defined Katherine Johnson’s remarkable career.
Her legacy reminds us that every great achievement in aviation and space begins with bold ideas, strong STEM skills, and the determination to solve the impossible.
