Nations Classroom Blog

Tour groups visiting the National Air and Space Museum in D.C. this fall should be aware of a few updates due to renovations to the museum.  Be sure to check out what galleries are temporarily closing and which of your favorites will still be open during renovations this fall.

The popular “How Things Fly” interactive gallery at the National Air and Space Museum is about to get a $10 million facelift, the museum announced in its September edition of the "Air & Space Magazine."   The gallery, targeted at middle school students, is currently the only exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum dedicated exclusively to learning about STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) - and it's about to become an even greater interactive experience.

The Washington Monument was ready to launch Tuesday night - or at least it appeared to be!  In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the east face of the famous D.C. monument will be illuminated every night this week with the 363-foot image of the Saturn V rocket, complete with a 40-foot-wide re-creation of the famous Kennedy Space Center countdown clock at the monument's base.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is bringing a piece of history to MLB ballparks across the country this summer with "Apollo at the Park".   Is your hometown stadium on the list?