New partnership set to boost aviation awareness in Ohio
The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies and Air Transportation and Aerospace Campus will partner with Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame to advance awareness of aviation history and sciences throughout the state.
The recently signed agreement includes opportunities to jointly develop and deliver curricula and activities, co-produce public events, support the Hall of Fame's historic preservation efforts, and promote aviation-based Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (AvSTEAM) education.
The newly established non-profit Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Museum (OAS) has a mission of preserving and promoting the accomplishments of the state’s outstanding pioneers of flight, leveraging their legacies both as a point of pride and to foster future innovation across the state and the nation. It will do so through educating the public within and from its home in the soon-to-be-renovated original Port Columbus Air Terminal located at John Glenn Columbus International Airport.
Public exhibits on the first floor will honor a diverse roster of air and space pioneers from Ohio, along with recognizing the state’s companies and organizations significant to the advancement of powered flight and manned space exploration. The OAS second floor will be devoted to youth STEAM education and workforce development programming. The Wright Brothers, John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Charles E. McGee, and Jerrie Mock are just a few of the OAS honorees whose inspirational legacies will be integrated into AvSTEAM curricula and activities in collaboration with Ohio State Aviation.
“Ohio has been in the center of aviation history from the very beginning, and it’s long-overdue to establish the Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame,” said Center for Aviation Studies Assistant Director Brian Strzempkowski.
The Ohio State University has a long history of involvement in aviation that stretches back over 100 years. In that time, it has been the objective of Ohio State aviation to provide premier facilities and programs to advance aviation within the State of Ohio and beyond.
“With Ohio State Aviation celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2017, it only makes sense that we work together to preserve history, and promote the new age of aviation in front of us,” Strzempkowski commented. “The location of the Hall of Fame encapsulates this by saving a historic landmark, and in turn allowing children to explore the science of aviation and encouraging them to pursue education and careers in the industry.”
Discussions are underway for future programming.
