National Air and Space Museum Reopens Two Classrooms To Support Aerospace Learning With $1 Million Gift From GE Aerospace

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum is celebrating the reopening of two classrooms dedicated to aerospace learning thanks to a $1 million gift from GE Aerospace at the museum in Washington, D.C., giving students an opportunity to spark their curiosity and imagine the possibilities of the future. Coinciding with the museum's 50th anniversary, the GE Aerospace Classrooms will serve as inspirational learning spaces that invite students to experiment and tinker, expecting to support hundreds of students each year.

The gift also supports staffing for student and teacher programs that connect learners with the museum's iconic objects. It includes funding a museum educator who will facilitate reservable, object-based field trips, called "Museum Labs," at its Washington location.

"Like the museum's recent renovation, this gift is an opportunity for our educators to transform K–12 learning at the National Air and Space Museum, engaging students with real artifacts and exploring the careers essential for presenting these historic items to millions of visitors annually," said Beth Crownover, the museum's Broh-Kahn Weil Director of Education. 

The gift is part of GE Aerospace's ongoing support of the museum, including another recent donation of $1 million to sponsor the Demonstration Theater in the "How Things Fly" gallery. The Demonstration Theater will host regularly scheduled interactive programs and hands-on activities that help make STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts and the science of flight easier to understand.

"We're proud to support the National Air and Space Museum in creating inspiring STEM spaces for students and educators," said Meghan Thurlow, president, GE Aerospace Foundation, and global head of public affairs, GE Aerospace. "Through the new classrooms and our broader partnership, we hope to spark curiosity, expand hands-on learning and inspire the next generation that will help build the future of flight."

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is located on Jefferson Drive between Fourth and Seventh streets S.W. and is open every day except Dec. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, but timed-entry passes are required to visit. The museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Virginia, near Washington Dulles International Airport and is open every day except Dec. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, timed-entry passes are not required for regular indoor visitation and parking is $15.

Photos and video of classrooms and sound from representatives of the museum and GE Aerospace are available here.

Media only:Marc Sklar(202) 633-2175; [email protected]
Michael Persaud (202) 843-4270 [email protected]

Media website:si.edu/newsdesk

SOURCE Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum