Flight Adventure Deck

An Interactive Journey into How we Fly

Sandra Porras, Escambia County Teacher and Glenn Rutland, Santa Rosa County TeacherAs a collaborative effort between the Museum and two local school districts (Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties), the Flight Adventure Deck program introduces 6th, 7th and 8th graders to the science and math of flight, using interactive devices and educational displays.

The Flight Adventure Deck (FAD) encompasses a 9,000-square-foot wing of the Museum. Outfitted at a cost of $2 million, the wing is devoted to the teaching of science, mathematics and technology. Thirty-eight interactive devices, 11 educational kiosks, an interactive wind tunnel and four computer-based flight simulators are incorporated as part of a truly revolutionary educational experience for 6th through 8th grade students. The program has recently been expanded to include high school level navigational and meteorology curriculum.

The FAD program was established in 1996 and hosts approximately 5,000 students annually. It is the first step in the implementation of the National Flight Academy - a much bigger vision for providing math and science education to students through the study of aviation.

Tours of the FAD are offered five days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Specially trained volunteers will introduce Museum guests to the hands-on science, mathematics and technology program that comprises the FAD. The FAD area is closed when classes are in session.

Read descriptions of our Interactive Devices

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