Air And Space Museum Hosts 'The Academy of STEM Explorers' For Young Learners

Starting Monday, parents have the option of enrolling their child in a STEM and tutoring program at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum.

The Academy of STEM Explorers offers drop-in or weekly rates, and also a one-time payment plan. 

Organizers said this is a great opportunity for kids to learn STEM skills in a safe environment. Frances Head is a retired science teacher and part of a group of certified instructors stationed at the museum. She told News On 6 that they're ready to help students with distant learning.

"I feel that within my heart that the way to get these kids inspired and spark an interest in science is to do all these hands-on activities," Head said. 

Alex London is with the Air and Space Musuem. He said the teachers are tutoring 3rd-8th graders in a non-traditional learning environment.

"Especially with young learners, you want to have that face to face interaction as safely as possible, because that's how you create that connection," London said. 

Along with classroom basics, kids can also sharpen their science skills by working with robots and coding their robots to explore planets.

They can also play with 3D printers, look through microscopes, and design parachutes to help astronauts land safely.

Teachers said it's like launching the ultimate lab experience, going over parts of the airplane and rockets, and letting kids use math to explore graphs and distances.

 "All of these different museum objects that we can revolve our lessons around, and it kind of creates a different learning environment," London said. 

The academy offers tours of the planetarium, is planning to host guest astronaut speakers and skype with the International Space Station.

The Academy of STEM Explorers is offered through October 29, 2020 and scholarships are available for the program. 

To learn more about how to get involved, click here.