The Florida Air Museum Promotes First of Aviation Adventures Series & Open House

The Florida Air Museum (FAM)  at SUN 'n FUN  will begin its “Aviation Adventures” Speaker Series this Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7:30 p.m.  FAM President John Burton and Vice President Ernie Sanborn will discuss FAM’s recent emphasis on STEM-focused education programming with relevant aviation applications and provide an overview of FAM’s exciting plans for future expansion.  The Jan. 26 program is free and open to the public.  Light refreshments will be served.

“We look forward to sharing exciting news about changes at FAM and what they mean to our community,” Burton said.  “Guests will learn about the many new programs we offer and the positive impact they are having on students of all ages and interests, especially in terms of academic performance.”

Burton explained that FAM has initiated aerospace and technology-oriented education programs that utilize aviation as a means to increase science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competencies through entertainment and education activities designed to inspire better students, citizens and leaders. 

“We will demonstrate the evolution of our mission here at FAM,” he added, “and discuss our vision for the future, which includes plans to expand our facilities that the state legislature has designated as the State of Florida’s Official Aviation Museum and Education Center.” 


The Museum is best know for its collection of 45 full-scale aircraft from every chapter of aviation’s rich and colorful heritage; its exhibits documenting the contribution that Florida has made to aviation and aerospace innovation; the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame which includes photos and a summation of each inductee’s contributions; plus the remarkable collection of the personal papers and artifacts of Howard Hughes, one of aviation’s most prolific innovators. 

The Jan. 26 program will also enable visitors to learn more about the Museum’s extensive year-round and summer camps for both youth and adults, including the series of STEMtastic™  weekend  and holiday camps designed to engage youngsters in the STEM curricula of science, technology, engineering and math. 

The Aviation Adventures series will continue on Feb. 16 with a program on pilot/educator Judy Rice’s once-in-a-lifetime flight from Oman to India and Thailand in a small, single-engine airplane.  The third and final program will take place on March 15.  Both of these programs will begin at 7 p.m.  An admission fee will be charged which includes the program and light refreshments.

The Florida Air Museum at SUN 'n FUN is located on the south side of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. The main entrance is at 4175 Medulla Road, which is accessible from either West Pipkin Road or County Line Road in Lakeland, FL.

 

The Florida Air Museum (FAM) is a 501(c) (3) not–for–profit organization based in Lakeland, Florida.  Named the state’s “Official Aviation Museum and Education Center” by the Florida legislature in 2003, FAM currently houses more than 45 full-scale aircraft from every chapter of aviation’s rich and colorful heritage plus a major exhibit on Florida’s extensive aviation history; an area containing an extensive collection of personal aviation artifacts that belonged to billionaire, entrepreneur and innovator Howard Hughes; and other areas, exhibits and artifacts (including a comprehensive research and reference library).

FAM has initiated aerospace and technology-oriented education programs that utilize aviation as a means to increase science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competencies through entertainment and education activities designed to inspire better students, citizens and leaders.  Many FAM programs feature valuable “hands on” learning experiences for individuals and groups of all ages – especially young people – such as summer residential and day camps; “Destination Aviation” adult aviation seminars; “Aviation Expressions” speaker series; the family-oriented “Wings ’n Things” weekend in the fall; and the increasingly popular, year-round STEMtastics™ programs. 

FAM is a wholly owned subsidiary of SUN ’n FUN Fly-In, Inc., which provides nearly $1 million each year generated through its International Fly-In and Expo to support FAM’s expanding year–round activities.  A scholarship program ensures that FAM education programs are accessible to all.  For more information, access the FAM website at www.FloridaAirMuseum.org or call (863) 644–2431.