Teacher's resources
Aviation is the perfect vehicle to learn about STEM, history, and more.
As part of the museum’s mission, we offer both in-person and at-home learning resources for kids (and adults) of all ages!
“Visited with a group for a field trip and had a spectacular time! Ami was a fantastic tour guide and she was very engaging and my young kids actually came away remembering some interesting facts! We all can’t wait for our next visit!”
— Chelsea, mom and educator
Scroll down to explore what we offer:
- Classroom visit workshops with our educators, for grades K-12
- Video tours of aircraft and history, available free anywhere
- Downloadable activities
- Resources for students curious about careers in aviation
- Traveling museum displays & activities for science fairs and youth events
- Links to our favorite STEM resources
- Upcoming educational events
Downloadable activities
BUILD a sled kite
Kites aren’t only fun objects to fly at the beach, they have a long and imprtant history connected to aviation. The Wright Brothers tested their wing warping theory with a kit and kits have also been used during wartime. You can build your own kite at home!
how kites fly
Whether it’s a kite, a jet, or your hand outside your car window, you can experience the forces of lift and drag. But what’s happening? Learn about how and why kites fly – the basics of flight science that are the foundation of all aviation.
make a hot air balloon
Check out this DIY video from the Smithsonian’s “Try this at Home” online series featuring real kids. Hot air balloons were the first successful method humans used to fly.
try out morse code
Morse code was used for communications since long before aviation, and early air navigation systems used Morse code both visually (with lights) and with audio (with radio sounds). Learn how to make your own Morse code telegraph key in this fun video from the Smithsonian.
Our favorite links & learning sites:
Teachers, parents, and students: Check out these incredible free resources for all ages and experience levels!
Smithsonian's "STEM in 30" series
STEM in 30 is an Emmy-nominated program for middle school students produced by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. These 30 minute episodes are great for classroom use.
National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum, a part of the Smithsonian, has a wonderful online virtual exhibit about airmail: “Fad to Fundamental: Airmail in America.” Check it out, and be sure to explore the interactive “By the Seat of your Pants” airmail pilot activity, and the virtual tour of the postal museum itself.
NASA's Learning Resources
Find your place in space! Explore videos, games, NASA Kids’ Club, and other in person and virtual opportunities.
SOAR: Department of the Air Force educational videos
These wonderful videos from the US Air Force give you an up-close look at aviation in the military and beyond.
Other Organizations
For career information, local flight study opportunities, and more, here are some organizations we highly recommend:
The Ninety-nines
EAA Chapter 431 (Brodhead)
Our local EAA Chapter is active in educational outreach by hosting sport plane building seminars, Young Eagle airplane rides for students, sponsoring the Boy Scout Aviation merit badge and providing EMS fire/rescue training for local first responders.
Chapter meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month during summer months and the first Saturday during the winter.
Eaa Chapter 22 (rockford)
Since 1956, EAA Chapter 22 has been the heartbeat of aviation at Cottonwood Airport in the greater Rockford, IL area — bringing pilots, builders, families, and future aviators together to fly, learn, and belong.
Young Eagles flights
Launched in 1992, the Young Eagles program has dedicated 30 years to giving youth ages 8–17 their first free ride in an airplane.
It’s the only program of its kind, with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation.