WORCESTER – Two exhibits currently on display at the Ecotarium, at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, features the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service exhibition “Black Wings: American Dreams in Flight” and “”Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen,” through Jan. 21.
The exhibit, “Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen,” explores multiple aspects of aviation, from the rich history of the Tuskegee Airmen to 21st century STEAM concepts. “Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight,” chronicles the story of Black Americans who attained amazing achievements in aviation history, despite tremendous racial barriers.
The exhibit includes the following hands-on activities:
- Cockpit Flight Trainer: Get an up-close view of the inside of a Cock Pit Flight Trainer. Watch videos of the plane taking off and landing from the captain’s seat advantage point. This life-size Cock Pit Flight Trainer is perfect for dramatic play and also includes a row of actual airplane seats.
- Things that Fly Praxinoscope: See images of things that fly come to life using this early form of animation. Switch out the custom-made cards to bring other images to life.
- Land the Plane Maze: Inspired by Air Traffic Control Radar, visitors guide the ball to a safe landing, tilting the round table top to avoid the red planes working all the way around to the landing strip.
- Imagination Mirrors: Interactive, mirror activated by pressure sensitive mats, exposing images of airplanes. This activity helps children see themselves in roles in the aviation field.
- Wearable Wings: Children can build and wear a pair of wearable airplane wings or a rocket ship and imagine they are flying through the sky.
The Tuskegee Airmen takes its name from Tuskegee University, named the Tuskegee Institute until 1985, near Tuskegee, Alabama. All Black airmen in World War II were educated at five facilities, including Tuskegee, in the then segregated United States Military. The group was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations for its service.
The Tuskegee Airmen formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) of the United States Army Air Forces. The 99th Pursuit Squadron, today named the 99th Flying Training Squadron, was the first formed of Black airmen and the first to serve overseas when it was deployed to North Africa in 1943.
