Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit Featuring Black Wings, American Dreams of Flight Makes Debut at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

Grand Rapids, MI May 1, 2026 – Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen makes its

debut at 9am on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Created by

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh in partnership with Hosanna House.

This interactive exhibit invites its audience to explore the multiple aspects of aviation,

from the rich history of the Tuskegee Airmen to 21st century STEM concepts. Inspired by

the tools and tasks related to flying and aeronautics, the interactive experiences mix real

artifacts with hands-on play. Visitors of all ages will be able to imagine themselves in the

role of the aviators, inspired by the past and dream of the future.

In this exhibit, visitors explore opposites with some of these hands-on activities:

● Cockpit Flight Trainer: Get an up-close view of the inside of a Cock Pit Flight

Trainer. Watch videos of the plane taking off and landing from the captain's seat

advantage point. This life-size Cock Pit Flight Trainer is perfect for dramatic play

and also includes a row of actual airplane seats.

● Things that Fly Praxinoscope: See images of things that fly come to life using this

early form of animation. Switch out the custom-made cards to bring other images

to life.

● Land the Plane Maze: Inspired by Air Traffic Control Radar, visitors guide the ball to

a safe landing, tilting the round table top to avoid the red planes working all the way

around to the landing strip.

● Imagination Mirrors: Interactive, mirror activated by pressure sensitive mats,

exposing images of airplanes. This activity helps children see themselves in roles in

the aviation field.

● Wearable Wings: Children can build and wear a pair of wearable airplane wings or a

rocket ship and imagine they are flying through the sky.

11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616.235.4726 • grcm.org

The exhibit features Black Wings, American Dreams of Flight organized by the Smithsonian

Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) in collaboration with the Smithsonian's

National Air and Space Museum. The exhibition was made possible by the generous

support of MetLife Foundation. It chronicles the story of African Americans, who, despite

facing racial barriers, attained great achievements in the world of aviation

Locally sponsored by The David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation, the Steelcase

Foundation, and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Aim High: Soaring with the

Tuskegee Airmen will be on display at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum through

September 5, 2026.

About the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

GRCM provides hands-on, play-based learning experiences for children. Located at 11

Sheldon Avenue NE in downtown Grand Rapids, the museum is a nonprofit organization

dedicated to fostering creativity and imagination through play. GRCM offers hands-on

exhibits and educational programming designed for children ages 0-10 and their

caregivers. Regular admission is $12.00 per person and $11.00 for ages 65+. Admission for

teachers, healthcare and frontline workers, and active military members is $10.00.

Through Museums for All, admission for EBT and WIC cardholders is $1.75 per person for up

to 12 people per card. Museum members and children under 1 receive free admission.

Summer and school-year hours vary; visit grcm.org for details. Follow GRCM on social

media on Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn.

About Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is a place that provides innovative and inclusive museum

experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity and curiosity for all learners. Our

imaginative, open-ended exhibits and programs give families the opportunity to explore

topics like art, making and social-emotional learning in ways that are authentic,

meaningful, and most of all, fun! The museum is open every day, from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.

About Hosanna House

Since the early 1990s, Hosanna House has gathered people and pulled our resources

together with a single purpose in mind, ending a life cycle of poverty and helping

individuals and families reach their maximum potential. We work hard to create an

11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616.235.4726 • grcm.org

environment where: Hope grows and families' flourish. Parents feel successful and

supported. Parents and children build relationships fueled by trust, enjoyment and mutual

understanding. Our community comes together to celebrate our achievements.

About The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and Smithsonian

Affiliations are critical national outreach units at the Smithsonian Institution. For more

than 70 years, SITES has been connecting Americans to their shared cultural heritage

through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history. Smithsonian Affiliations

establishes and maintains the Smithsonian's long-term partnerships with museums,

educational organizations and cultural institutions in the U.S., Puerto Rico and

Panama.Together, SITES and Affiliations share the Smithsonian's vast resources with

millions of people outside Washington, D.C. Visit sites.si.edu and affiliations.si.edu for more information