(May 25th-Sept 4th)
Mon-Wed from 10am-5pm
Thurs-Sun from 10am-7pm
(Sept 5th-May 23rd)
Mon-Wed from 10am-5pm
Thurs-Sun from 10am-5pm
<http://www.vasc.org/teacher/edguide.html>.
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| The Virginia Air and Space Museum | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| There are many attractions all around Virginia that bring in lots of tourists. A few would include a historical tour through the James River Plantations between Richmond and Williamsburg, the theme-park rides at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg or even the beaches in Virginia Beach. One major attraction, located no more than fifteen minutes from my home in Yorktown, is the Virginia Air and Space Museum in downtown Hampton. Many tourists and guests-alike enjoy viewing the various air and space transportation vehicles so intricately placed within the museum. There are several hands-on exhibits found on the first and second floors of the museum where guests are able to interact and play with miniature models of air and space equipment. Along with the many different exhibits to visit, guests could also entertain themselves with the 3D IMAX Theatre. Admission into the museum is only $9, but those who are members have the freedom of enjoying the many displays and exhibits free of charge. There are five different membership levels you can choose from. The lowest priced membership is Commuter for $50 and the highest is Million Miler for $500; each having more benefits than the other as the price goes up and they all last a full year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| A large portion of the museum is devoted to displaying old and new replica models of various air and space transportation vehicles. When you first walk in and pass the service desk, if you look above you, there are a few replica model planes dated back from the 1950's and 1970's. Along the left side of the museum, past the service desk, are various kinds of aircrafts in glass displays. So that guests can better understand the model, a glossy, gold metal label with a brief history and description is placed in the front of the displays. A lot of the replica models are very delicate and to avoid any type of destruction to them, many are either put into glass display cases or surrounded by a metal rail. One of the more noticeable replicas is the space shuttle cockpit after it was burned and destroyed returning to earth from space. As soon as you walk through the large glass doors of the museum, you can see it centered on a large podium for all guests and tourists to view. Along with replica models, there are a few actual models displayed throughout the museum as well. The Lunar Orbiter is one of the few realistic models in the museum. According to the air and space website, it is considered one of the most successful space projects in the history of NASA Langley. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summer Schedule (May 25th-Sept 4th) Mon-Wed from 10am-5pm Thurs-Sun from 10am-7pm |
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| Winter Schedule (Sept 5th-May 23rd) Mon-Wed from 10am-5pm Thurs-Sun from 10am-5pm |
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| One thing most guests enjoy about the air and space museum is the various exhibits found on the first and second floors. They provide an in-depth explanation as to how a lot of the equipment and vehicles displayed are run and used. Guests have an opportunity to not only learn, but interact in each of the different exhibits. One of which requires you to strap on replica aircraft wings to both of your arms in order experience what planes go through when in the air. Then you are put into a caged area with a large fan at the other end. This exhibit physically displays how planes are able to stay in flight as they soar through the air at high speeds. What guests have to do is spread their arms out and with the help of a friend or museum staff member, they have a second party flip a switch to turn on the fan. A sudden gush of wind fills the entire caged area, and it is quite interesting to watch as guests try their hands at keeping themselves from being blown backwards or falling to the floor. For smaller children who are not able to take flight and enjoy that exhibit, there is a children's center on the first floor where they can play in a safer, fun filled environment designed specifically for them. With so many gadgets to play with and sounds whirling through the air, it's a wonder how parents are able to get their children to leave before closing time. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| KITFOX Model 4 Speedster | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whenever guests have toured the entire museum and want a little more excitement to enjoy, there is a large 3D IMAX Theatre located at the back of the museum on the first floor. For just $8, guests can enjoy a short 45 minute IMAX featured film, members getting a cheaper discounted price. These films usually consist of historic videos or fun wild-life ones for smaller children. For an extra $2 more, guests have the opportunity to watch full-length films, like Superman Returns, in a large open-air theatre with a bigger screen. There are not that many seats available in the IMAX Theatre, so whenever big movie titles come through, guests are quick to get their tickets ahead of time. Unlike regular movie theaters, IMAX gives guests the luxury of viewing their movie on a larger screen, spacious seating, and of course a very noticeable difference in surround sound. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| There are so many educational programs throughout the day in the museum, so guests and tourists have the advantage of learning a great deal about the history and innovations of air and space technology. For guests or tourists visiting for the first time there are free tours given allowing them to see what the museum has to offer. Along with tours, there are also 30 minute demonstrations that are available and interactive programs that guests can sign up for to teach them the basic principles of science, aviation and space technology. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Many guests and tourists enjoy going to the air and space museum. It's a perfect place to spend the day with family and friends while enjoying the many exhibits and models they have to show. With the entry fee being so cheap, you do not have to spend much to make your day worthwhile. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Works Cited | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Education Guide." Virginia Air and Space Center. 13 July 2006 <http://www.vasc.org/teacher/edguide.html>. |
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