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K-12 Education Program

THE K-12 PROGRAM

While the National Museum of World War II Aviation is dedicated to historical preservation, its primary mission is education. All of the museum’s education programs are designed around the museum’s extensive collection of exhibits, artifacts and World War II aircraft.  The museum places special emphasis on the education of younger students who, in many cases, are getting limited exposure to World War II history at school. The cornerstone of this effort is a highly successful K-12 Education Program that reaches beyond the walls of the museum and into the classroom where students learn STEM and Social Studies concepts within the historical context of the World War II era.

K-12 MODULES

STEM 1: IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE! – GRADES K-3

Students begin to explore how an airplane flies through lesson plans that adhere to Colorado Academic Standards for K-3rd grade. Starting with simple comparisons to birds, the STEM lessons in Module 1 examine the basics of aircraft design and explore why there are so many different sizes and shapes of airplanes. Culminating with a visit to the museum, students get up close and examine WWII aircraft in unique capstone activities that reinforce their understanding of what makes airplanes fly and how they are designed for specific missions.

STEM 2: KEEP ‘EM FLYING! – GRADES 4-6

Building on STEM Module 1, this module introduces the basic physics of flight to students. Adhering to Colorado Academic Standards for 4th-6th grades, STEM Module 2 teaches students about the physics of flight and how an airplane’s control surfaces interact with the Four Forces of Flight to lift and guide an airplane through the air. STEM Module 2 culminates in a visit to the museum where students interact with actual World War II airplanes in a unique capstone activity that reinforces their understanding of the Forces of Flight and how an airplane flies through the air.

STEM 3: WINGS UP! – GRADES 7-9

Building on STEM Module 2, this module is a further exploration of how an airplane flies.  Through lesson plans that adhere to Colorado Academic Standards for 7th-9th grades, students learn how a pilot interacts with the controls in the cockpit of an aircraft to move the control surfaces that make the aircraft climb, descend and turn.  In the visit to the museum, students engage in STEM activities that reinforce their understanding of the interaction between pilots and their aircraft and get an up-close look at the control surfaces and cockpit of a Word War II aircraft.

The following programs are under development and will be available in time for the 2025-26 academic year:

SOCIAL STUDIES 1: SALVAGE FOR VICTORY! – GRADES K-3

This module teaches our youngest adventurers about how American children contributed to the war effort during World War II via their “Salvage for Victory” efforts.  Through lesson plans that adhere to Colorado Academic Standards for K-3rd grades, Social Studies Module 1 focuses on the “home front” experience of U.S. families during the war, with a specific emphasis on salvage drives—especially those conducted by American schoolchildren. Culminating with a visit to the museum, students get up close to WWII aircraft in a unique capstone activity that reinforces the lessons learned in the classroom and celebrates America’s accomplishments on the Homefront during World War II.

SOCIAL STUDIES 2: WE CAN DO IT! – GRADES 4-6

Blending civics, economics and geography, Social Studies Module 2 explores how the American public and private sectors worked in close collaboration to design and produce more than 300,000 airplanes during World War II. Students will learn how this was accomplished through extensive planning and allocation of limited material and human resources.  They will explore how the U.S. produced, salvaged and rationed materials, and developed mass production processes to keep up with demand throughout the war.  At the museum, students will explore further by creating their own assembly lines and examining World War II artifacts and exhibits involved in the production process.

SOCIAL STUDIES 3: WHY WE FOUGHT – GRADES 7-9

Social Studies Module 3 students explore the history of World War II aviation with an emphasis on the technological and socio-economic changes that occurred during the war.  Using critical analysis, the students are challenged to question what they do and don’t know about the war, and then to build on that to develop a deeper understanding of the long-term impacts that led to America’s emergence as a superpower in the post-war years.  At the museum, students will be given a special tour of the museum’s aircraft and exhibits with a focus on the historical legacy of the World War II era.

AVIATION CAREERS : SOAR TO SUCCESS! – GRADES 10-12

As a follow-on to both the Social Studies and STEM curricula, students explore the emergence of aviation as a career field in the years that followed World War II and learn about modern career paths within the field of aviation. At the museum, students will have the opportunity to interact with an array of aviation professionals who will share their thoughts on a career in aviation, whether as a pilot, aircraft mechanic, air traffic controller, aerospace engineer, or any of the other exciting career choices in aviation.

Book a Program

The National Museum of World War II Aviation works in close partnership with After School University to provide its popular K-12 STEM Education Program.  Programs are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from September through mid-June.

Our education team is available throughout the year to answer questions and assist you in selecting and scheduling the right program for your group.

To contact a member of the education team, please email:

k12programs@worldwariiaviation.org

“Through our partnership with After School University, we’ve served more than 25,000 students in our K-12 STEM Education Program. As we continue to focus on our education mission, we’re looking forward to exploring new, innovative ways to get kids involved in STEM.”

– Bill Klaers, President and CEO, National Museum of World War II Aviation

We’re Looking to the Future

Every Day
10:00am ‒ 5:00pm

Adults: $17-$19
Seniors/Military: $15-$17
Children & Students: $13-$14
WWII Vet: FREE

775 AVIATION WAY
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80916