PRESS RELEASE – Space exploration just took an exciting turn at the Air Zoo in Portage, MI, with the recent addition of an interactive traveling summer exhibit named “Be the Astronaut.” This hands-on and highly immersive experience is well-suited for space fans of all ages and will be on site for guests through September 12, 2021.
Air Zoo visitors will have the opportunity to experience the wonders of space as they are guided through three training stations by virtual spaceflight experts, specializing in science, navigation, and engineering. Astronauts in training will not only plan a space mission, but they will also hop into the open-cockpit simulators to pilot the mission to completion! Missions include traveling to the moon, Mars, Jupiter, and the asteroid belt.
“This exhibit provides an outstanding experience that we hope will ignite a passion for space exploration and inspire our future generations to consider career paths in science, engineering, and technology,” states Air Zoo President & CEO, Troy Thrash. “We take advantage of any opportunity we have to immerse kids (of ALL ages) in cool STEAM experiences.”
This exciting experience was produced by Eureka Exhibits and designed by NASA engineers, providing a birds-eye view of real astronaut pretraining using state-of-the-art video game technology found in the touch screen stations and interactive simulator pods. Astronauts of all ages will also enjoy the display of interesting space related artifacts and information stations.
This out-of-this-world exhibit is included with general admission, with the entire Air Zoo experience, and as always free to members and children 4 and under. Admission information can be found at airzoo.org/plan-you-visit. The Air Zoo is a proud member of Museums for All, which is a national initiative to provide inspiring museum opportunities to families receiving food assistance. Guests with valid EBT*/WIC cards will receive a reduced admission fee, $2/person in the household, children 4 and under are always free.
About the Air Zoo
Located at 6151 Portage Rd., Portage, MI 49002, the Air Zoo is a Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace & science experience with over 100 rare air & space craft, inspiring interactive exhibits, indoor amusement park rides, full-motion flight simulators, hands-on science-based education programs, and more. The Air Zoo is a not-for-profit organization and is open 360+ days per year. For hours, tickets, safety policies and procedures as well as temporarily altered experiences due to COVID-19, visit airzoo.org
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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