Museum Educators inspire and educate record number of 5th grade students at 2018 NAS Oceana Air Show

Photo By Max Lonzanida | Zach Smyers, museum educator with the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, staffs a booth during the NAS Oceana Air Show. Staff members from the Naval History & Heritage Command and the museum jointly staffed a booth to provide walk up STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) education to 5th grade students in the City of Virginia Beach. Other exhibitors present were the US Navy Stewards of the Sea, US Fleet Forces Command, and the Tidewater Community College Robotics Team. (US Navy Photo by Max Lonzanida/Released).  

VIRGINIA BEACH , VA, UNITED STATES

09.25.2018

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

The 2018 NAS Oceana Air Show brought in scores of visitors from near and far to experience thrilling aerial acrobatics. The facility is the US Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base, and home to squadrons of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets. This is in stark contrast to its start in 1943 during the height of WWII, and this weekend’s air show coincided with the facility’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. As aircraft flew overhead which resonated throughout the flight line, staff members from the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) were busy at their booth providing walk up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education along with snippets of Naval History to visitors.

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On Friday, September 21, 2018; crowds of eager 5th grade students from nearby public schools descended on the air show grounds. According to a News Release dated July 9, 2018 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Mahmoud with NAS Oceana Public Affairs:

Naval Air Station Oceana has partnered with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) to hold its third "STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) laboratory" for local students during the Friday practice air show. This event is designed to teach students about modern technological advancements and their applications, especially within the military and NASA. Capt. Chad P. Vincelette, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Oceana, said the STEM program during the air show has culminated a great relationship with VBCPS. "This is the third year we've invited all the fifth grade students," said Vincelette. "The logistics and the extensive planning fused our relationship with the school system."

Staff members did their best amid Friday’s crush of 5th graders. While the National Park Service touts its Every Kid in a Park program to get fourth grade students and their families to experience the outdoors and wildlife dependent recreation; staff members from the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and NHHC touted every 5th grader from nearby schools to experience STEM and History.

Museum Educators Joseph Miechle, Zach Smyers and AJ Orlikoff were armed with tuning forks and tubs of water to demonstrate concepts of sound and sonar. NHHS staff members Alex Hays and MC2 Mutis Capizzi from their Communications and Outreach Division, along with Megham Cunningham from the Command’s Deputy Director’s Action Group, also aided with the crush of students from area schools. They were armed with sheets of tin foil, tubs of water, and washers to teach students about density; and also fielded questions about Naval History. Students, teachers and visitors to the booth also took away handouts and free posters of WWII combat art. The command shared a big top tent with US Fleet Forces Command’s Stewards of the Sea exhibit and the Tidewater Community College’s Robotics Team; other STEM exhibitors present at the air show included civilian scientists from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgreen Division (NSWCDD), NSWCDD Dam Neck Activity and Dalhgreen’s Sly Fox Program, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and exhibitors from nearby commands in an effort to provide an engaging and inspiring educational experience.

About the Hampton Roads Naval Museum:

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S. Navy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and is co-located with Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Admission to the museum is free, simply by-pass the ticket line and take the stairs or elevator to the museum on the second deck. The museum hosts a robust educational program for area schools and commands, with free educational programs to area schools aligned with state curriculum standards, a travelling sea chest program, a premier Lego outreach program, and historical presentations for area commands. To inquire, contact their Educational Director, Laura Orr at [e-mail] or at [phone]. The museum is also host to a robust volunteer corps, who serve as docents, support special events, and assist in museum archives. To inquire, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Darcy Sink at [e-mail] or at [phone]. Lastly the museum proudly hosts military ceremonies, such as re-enlistments, retirements, and promotions for area commands aboard the U.S.S Wisconsin and in the museum’s gallery. To inquire, contact their special events coordinator, Tom Dandes at [e-mail] or call [phone].

• Date Taken: 09.25.2018
• Date Posted: 09.25.2018 11:31
• Story ID: 294283
• Location: VIRGINIA BEACH , VA, US