Black Wings Aerospace Museum at Windsor Hills Magnet
The museum is dedicated to featuring and highlighting the African American influence to the aerospace/space industry. Professional museum quality panels are displayed starting with the invention of the airplane and the early African-American aviators that followed the Wright Brother's passion. The students will learn about people like William Powell and Bessie Coleman who were barnstormers. WWII opened up the way for more trained aviators and the Tuskegee "experiment" trained hundreds of pilots. The struggle to get jobs in commercial aviation after the war led to law suits and many unemployed pilots. The museum's story closes with the 19 African-American astronauts. Also, there are models and hands-on activities for students and teachers to explore with the expected outcome that all will gain a deeper understanding in the impact of African Americans in the aerospace/space industry, concepts of aerodynamics and career opportunities in the aerospace/space industry.
Museum Development
The creation of the museum has been the exciting and rewarding journey of three educators that make up the UCLA TIIP team. It started with their own professional development which included taking tours and/or training at the Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL); Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas; Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey; National Science Teachers Association National Conference in Indianapolis; and at the California Science Center. Valuable partnerships were formed with The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); Boeing; Columbia Memorial Space Center Museum (Downey CA); NASA; The Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers (LACBPE) and The California African-American Museum (CAAM).
The Grand Opening of Black Wings Children's Museum on October 10, 2012, was an exciting experience that affected the school community in a positive way. The anticipation was peaked and everyone was excited to see what was behind the covered door. Once the door was revealed and opened, the artifacts beckoned us to discover their story. The artifacts gave witness to the contribution that African Americans have made and continue to make to the aerospace/space industry.
Jocelyn Johnson (TIIP), Stephannie Koli-Sharif (TIIP), Margarite La Motte (LAUSD Board Member), Deborah Swan (TIIP), Sheldon Cruz (Staff member from Mayor VIllaraigosa) and Principal Kathy Crowe proudly stand in front of the door of the Black Wings Children's Museum.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was an exciting event for all to witness! Channel 4 News and Our Weekly was there to capture the memories.
The proud founders: Stephannie Koli-Sharif, Jocelyn Johnson, and Deborah Swan, their dream coupled with hard work became reality!
Pictured: Stephannie (TIIP); Aris (UCLA TIIP Project); Emma (UCLA TIIP Project); Jocelyn (TIIP); Jane (UCLA Writers' Project); Lynn (UCLA Science Project); and Deborah (TIIP)
The Black Wings Children's Museum came to life because UCLA TIIP was the wind beneath our wings! Thank you Aris, Emma, Jane, and Lynn for believing in us and for all of your incredible guidance and support!
Click to view the video of the Black Wings Children's Museum Grand Opening presented by Our Weekly...
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Student Focused Aerospace Actitivities
