NAME: Explore! Series

START DATE: 1st Saturday of each month

TIME:11:00 – 4:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Armstrong Air & Space Museum

ADDRESS: 500 Apollo Dr, Wapakoneta, OH

COST: No additional cost with admission

ABOUT THE EXPLORE! SERIES:

Join the museum’s education team in the STEM Center for two exciting, hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity in visitors of all ages. Experiment, build, and explore as you dive into fun STEM lessons that bring science and innovation to life. Each month will have a different educational theme as well. Throughout the day, enjoy guided tours led by knowledgeable staff who will share fascinating stories and insights about the museum’s exhibits. Whether you participate in one or both activities, take a tour, or simply explore on your own, there’s something new to learn and enjoy around every corner!

MONTHLY TOPICS:

June 6th – Forces of Flight:  Join the museum for our Forces of Flight lesson at 11AM and 2PM. Children will explore the four forces of flight through hands-on experiments and create their own balsa wood flyers, decorating them with markers. The Guided Museum Tour, a 45-min experience highlighting key exhibits and fun insights begin at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM.

July 4th – America 250!: Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by learning about the science behind Space Shuttles and design your own shuttle glider. From 10AM to 2PM, experiment with weight and lift to ensure your shuttle lands safely without crashing. The guided museum tour, a 45-min experience highlighting key exhibits and fun insights begin at 11AM and 1PM.

August 1st – Building A Better World:  The world needs your help to solve the next generation of challenges. Join us for "Tippy Towers" at 11AM or 2PM to complete an engineer design challenge to develop a load bearing tower. Then, participants will learn about solar power and electricity at 12PM or 3PM by making a bug that will move by the power of the sun. The guided museum tour, a 45-min experience highlighting key exhibits and fun insights begin at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM.

September 5th  – Sounds of Space: Join our team at 11AM or 2PM to create a melody that’s truly out of this world! Using colorful Boom Whackers, participants will work to invent their own musical masterpiece while exploring the surprising story of the first song ever played in space: “Jingle Bells.” Participants can discover this and their own music artist within! The guided museum tour, a 45-min experience highlighting key exhibits and fun insights begin at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM.

October 3rd – Spooky Space: Starting at at 11AM and 2PM, participants will be using balloons and aluminum foil to learn about Black Holes! Our educator will engage students in an interactive discussion about black holes, explaining what they are, how they form the science behind their incredible gravitational pull, and their role in the universe.  The guided museum tour, a 45-min experience highlighting key exhibits and fun insights begin at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM.

November 7th – Cradle of Astronauts:  Celebrate Ohio’s remarkable legacy as the birthplace of some of our nation's most iconic space explorers with a 90-minute guided tour. From Neil Armstrong’s historic first steps on the Moon to John Glenn’s groundbreaking orbit of Earth, this tour highlights the achievements and enduring impact of these Ohio-born pioneers. Tours will take place at 11AM, 1PM and 3PM. No RSVP required. Guests must pay general admission at entrance to join the tour and activity. Space is limited to 30 people.