5th Grade recently enjoyed a field trip to the Udvar-Hazy Center, the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. The day was filled with STEM learning and aerospace exploration.

The students started their day in the STEM Lab, where they used the scientific method to test the influence of gravity on paper airplanes. They first hypothesized how different weights would affect the flight time of paper airplanes. Then, they designed and built their own paper airplanes, incorporating different weights to test their hypotheses.

The students then took turns testing their airplanes in a wind tunnel. They measured the flight time of each airplane and recorded their results. Finally, they analyzed their data and drew conclusions about the relationship between weight and flight time.

After the STEM Lab, the students explored the Udvar-Hazy Center's many exhibits. They learned about the history of aviation, from the Wright brothers' first flight to the Space Shuttle program. 

The students were particularly interested in learning about the connection between bicycles and the Wright brothers' first flight. They learned that Wilbur and Orville Wright used their knowledge of bicycle mechanics to design and build their first airplane. The students were also fascinated by the Space Shuttle Discovery. They learned about the construction of the Space Shuttle and how it is designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

Overall, the fifth-grade field trip to the Udvar-Hazy Center was a positive and educational experience for the students. They had fun learning about STEM and aerospace exploration in a hands-on environment. They were also inspired by the stories of innovation and perseverance represented by the aircraft on display.