Aviation Learning Center

The Aviation Learning Center (ALC) is where STEM-based education takes flight. The ALC introduces the energy and excitement of flight through an immersive pilot training and ground school inspired program where students experience aeronautical science, piloting protocols and the thrill of flight. Age-appropriate curriculum is presented through proprietary computer programs, innovative hands-on devices, a real aircraft, and flight simulators.

Here’s what’s in store:

– Engaging hands-on lessons connecting classroom content to real world applications. (sciences, math, technical reading)

– Experiencing character-building scenarios (problem solving, teamwork) to the aviation world.

– Inspiring curiosity in many career fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

-Promote teamwork as students work together to achieve a common goal.

The ALC is a combination of three activity centers

The Learning Lab 

Teaches foundational science and problem solving.

  • In the Learning Lab, students learn the fundamental science of flight as they are guided by computer software and work with a partner through hands-on experiments demonstrating the scientific concepts of navigation, wind tunnel experiments, weather patterns, flight dynamics, and weight and balance distribution.
  • At the conclusion of the experiments, students share their new expert knowledge with the rest of the group as they explain what they learned.

The Mooney Hangar

Houses preflight planning and inspection of a Mooney Ovation airplane.

  • The Mooney Hangar is a replica general aviation hangar complete with an actual Mooney Ovation aircraft.
  • Students work together to check the safety of the aircraft by completing a preflight inspection, manipulate the flight controls and familiarize themselves with the cockpit.
  • An instructor guides students through the mapping of a flight path and how to properly steer and control the aircraft.

The Flight Simulator Bay

Allows students to test their flying skills in a simulator of the Mooney Ovation.

  • Following their STEM-focused planning, students fly from Ellington Airport to Scholes Airport in a flight simulator based on the Mooney Ovation plane they just inspected.
  • Each simulator is equipped with a state-of-the-art display of a real-time, real-space virtual world of the Houston-Galveston area, operational rudder pedals, control yokes, and other flight controls.
  • Pilot and Navigator must work as a team to stay on course and safely reach their destination.

Watch the video!

PRICING-DETAILS:

FULL ALC EXPERIENCE:

This experience includes museum admission and all three areas of the ALC – Learning Lab, Mooney Hangar, and Simulator Bay.

• Minimum 10 students / Maximum 60 students per two hour program.

$10 per student for Title I schools, $12 per student for non-Title I schools

Target Age Group:  5th – 12th grades

Length of Time: 2 hour program.

Available:  Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Why This Choice: Most complete program combining pilot skills and science.

PILOT EXPERIENCE:

This experience includes museum admission and the activities of the Mooney Hangar and the Flight Simulator Bay.

• Minimum 10 students / Maximum 20 students per one hour program.

$10 per student for Title I schools, $12 per student for non-Title I schools

Target Age Group:  4th – 12th grades

Length of Time: 1 hour program.

Available:  Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Why This Choice: A fun way to target the skills of being a pilot with more time allowed for the rest of the museum.

LEARNING LAB:

This experience includes museum admission and the activities in the Learning Lab.

• Minimum 10 students / Maximum 20 students.

$10 per student for Title I schools, $12 per student for non-Title I schools

Target Age Group:  5th – 12th grades

Length of Time: 1 hour program.

Available:  Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Why This Choice: A short introduction focused on the STEM side of aviation.

Click below to submit your booking request.

Reserve the Aviation Learning Center!