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BETH: Welcome to the Smithsonian's National
Air and Space Museum. I'm Beth Wilson from
the Museum's Education Department. We've prepared
this short video to help you plan your visit.
The Museum has so much to see
and do, but planning is the key to a successful
visit. For the most up to date information,
check our website. When planning your trip,
keep in mind that you'll need to arrange for
one adult chaperone for every 15 students.
These adults must be with their group at all
times, both in the museum galleries and in
all the programs.
And by the way, someone with a baby
or small child is not a suitable chaperone!
When you arrive, buses should
drop off and pick up on Jefferson Drive, that
is, on the National Mall side of the building.
Before everyone gets off the bus, please remind
students that there are no coat check facilities
or lockers are available inside the Museum.
We recommend that they leave their backpacks
behind, along with anything else they don't
want to take through security and then carry
with them during their visit. Once inside,
please register your group at the Welcome
Center, centrally located on the ground floor.
Staff there will provide you with maps and
other materials.
We have three different self guides.
These direct individuals or small groups to
look closely at some of the Museum's most
popular artifacts. If you're able plan ahead,
a variety of free programs are available by reservation.
For the younger visitors, Flights of Fancy
is a story time for grades pre-K
through 2. Guided tours can be booked on a
variety of topics. All last approximately
one hour.
To give visitors a chance to handle
models and replicas, the Discovery Stations
are hands on programs that can be added to
your guided tour.
Science Demonstrations, for
grades 4 through 12, take place in the How
Things Fly gallery. In these half hour sessions,
students might participate in a paper airplane
contest, learn about the forces of flight,
or find out all about the International Space
Station. Our 22 exhibition galleries
are thrilling in themselves, but other experiences
that are available for purchase can enhance
your visit. The Einstein Planetarium brings
the night sky to life with thousands of stars.
A variety of immersive flight simulators allow
your students to experience the thrill of
flying. Finally, viewing an Imax film can
be an eye popping experience, making you feel
like you're inside the film. Tickets for all
these experiences can be picked up at the
Box Office, and group rates are available.
When it's time for lunch or a snack,
the Wright Place Food Court offers a variety
of fast foods, as well as an upstairs cafe
with coffee, pastries, and assorted food items.
Groups of 20 or more may contact
The Smithsonian Group Sales to make special
arrangements for ordering lunches at a discounted
price. A menu is available on our website.
Visitors may not bring their own lunches into
the museum restaurant. Nor can food be stored
anywhere inside the Museum.
When weather permits, groups are
encouraged to have a picnic lunch on the National
Mall.
Your students will be attracted
to the Museum Store. Where else can they find
three levels of aviation and space related
merchandise? Including souvenirs, books, DVDs,
models, posters, clothing, and even astronaut
ice cream.
Not to be missed, on the Museum Store's
lower level is the original model of the U.S.S.
Enterprise, used in filming the first Star
Trek television series. As a vital part of
the Smithsonian, the museum welcomes everyone,
including visitors with disabilities. The
entire facility is wheelchair accessible,
and aural and sign language interpreters are
available for programs, if requested at least
two weeks in advance. We hope you enjoy your
visit to the National Air and Space Museum.
Before you come, be sure to check the latest,
most detailed information on our website.