Innovations in Flight Family Day & Aviation Display at National Air and Space Museum Fuels Kids’ Interest in Aviation

Jun 30, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Innovations in Flight Family Day and Aviation Display was held Saturday, June 18 at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Kids and families were invited to view more than 50 military, recreational and home-built aircraft and classic automobiles and interact with a variety of hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities demonstrating the science behind flight. In celebration of the US Coast Guard Aviation’s 100th Anniversary, attendees were able to get up close to several Coast Guard rescue helicopters and airplanes.

Since 2011, Booz Allen Hamilton has served as a presenting sponsor of the event. This year, more than 15,000 visitors from across the region attended the event, and 35 Booz Allen employees donated their time to teach kids about air traffic control, wind speeds, and flight navigation. “At Booz Allen our people are passionate about advancing technology for the good our country, and our planet,” said Booz Allen Vice President Brian Pickerall, who volunteered at the event. “What better way to nurture a love of science and technology in kids today than by inviting them to get up-close-and-personal with the history of aviation innovation?”

Visitors were invited to walk up to the planes, meet the pilots, and go in some of the cockpits. Other activities included World War II reenactors, tours, book signings, and story times.

To learn more about the National Air and Space’s Udvar-Hazy Center, click here.

To learn more about Booz Allen’s commitment to STEM, click here