The Museum of Flight Provides 
History, Wonder, Possibilities
By Betsy Fradd WSU Extension 4-H
They created flight plans, experimented with inertia, and, from inside a flight simulator, flew from Seattle’s Boeing Field to Paine Field in Everett. Washington State 4-Hers discovered how pilots and scientists think and work at the Museum of Flight Sleepover in early May.
Twenty eight youth, along with ten adult chaperones, experienced hands-on activities including how to do a pre-flight check of an aircraft, receive directions from the control tower and take over the controls to navigate a safe landing.
“Youth learned how different types of weather and weight can impact a flight,” said Janet Edwards, Washington State 4-H Afterschool Specialist. “They were able to get a sense of how pilots navigate and make split second decisions based on many factors.”
With guidance from Museum of Flight instructors, youth turned two-liter bottles into high-flying water rockets, learned the physics of rockets, and what makes them fly. A late night tour of the Flight Museum provided opportunities to learn about the different aircraft on display.
“This experience stretched their imaginations and opened up possibilities for their future,” said Edwards. “Being in a simulator and at the controls as a youth may be just the spark needed to become involved in aerospace in the coming years.”
Posted May 2010
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