Aviation has shaped the fabric of our lives enabling innovation and sparking the imagination. November is recognized by the Library of Congress as National Aviation History Month, “which is dedicated to exploring, recognizing and celebrating America’s great contributions and achievements in the development of aviation”.
National Aviation History Month is also a time to envision the future of aviation and space exploration.
Celebrate Aviation History Month by exploring and expanding your family’s knowledge with these activities:
1. Play some Frisbee and identify The Four Forces of Flight (lift, thrust, drag and weight).
2. Build Squeeze Bottle Rockets with Mister C – Full STEAM Ahead
3. Make a Paper Mars Helicopter
4. Design and Build a Crew Module (instructional video linked here)
5. Build a Glider
6. Dream Big (Ask your children to imagine the future. What they would create to take us to new heights in aviation?)
7. Plan a Museum Visit (National Museum of the United States Air Force, Carillion History Park, WACO Air Museum)
More Activities & Educational Resources:
Dayton Fun Facts:
- Congress officially declared Ohio as the “birthplace of aviation.” Dayton was the home of Wilbur and Orville Wright, who invented and flew the first aircraft.
- Dayton natives invented the parachute. Floyd Smith and Guy Ball, civilian employees at McCook field, designed the parachute.
- Dayton is home to the country’s first airplane factory. The Wright Company factory, founded in 1909, was the first factory established for the purpose of building airplanes.
- According to NASA, 25 astronauts are Ohio natives, having made nearly 80 space flights, with three of those flights being trips to the Moon.
- Ohio astronauts have logged more than 22,000 hours in space.
Aviation’s Impact on American Fashion
Vogue discusses the origin and stylistic impact of aviator sunglasses.
How will you be celebrating this special month with your family?
