Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Museum (OAS) and The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies announce AvSTEAM education and historic preservation partnership

(COLUMBUS, OHIO – March 1, 2021) - The officials from the non-profit Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Museum (OAS) and The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies & Air Transportation and Aerospace Campus (Ohio State Aviation) jointly announced today a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a partnership supporting aviation-based Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (AvSTEAM) education programming. The recently signed agreement includes opportunities to jointly develop and deliver curricula and activities, co-produce public events, support the OAS’s historic preservation efforts, and promote AvSTEAM education throughout the State of Ohio.

The OAS is currently fundraising to transform the original Port Columbus Air Terminal into its home and a civic showpiece. In addition to a $550,000 grant from the State of Ohio and early gifts from donors, the OAS recently received a generous gift from the Wright Brothers Foundation toward the renovation of the historic 13,000 square foot-plus Art Deco style terminal and tower, built in 1929 and on the National Register of Historic Places.

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.

“A wealth of the world’s innovation and technological advancements were created right here in ‘The Birthplace of Aviation’, thanks to ordinary Ohioans making extraordinary contributions,” said OAS Executive Director Ron Kaplan. “The world class facilities and programs of Ohio State Aviation have been instrumental to that success for over a hundred years. Thus we are delighted that our very first STEAM education partnership is with the OSU Center for Aviation Center Studies. The timing is ideal to share our state’s remarkable history of flight while fostering the future-looking workforce that will maintain Ohio’s leading role in aerospace and technology.”

About The Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Museum: The Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Museum (OAS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to permanently preserving the inspiring legacies of this state’s outstanding pioneers of flight, prominently heralding their achievements both as a point of pride and to foster continued innovation. The OAS will additionally educate the public about the rich history of Ohio’s aviation and aerospace industries, and its airports, including that of the OAS future home in the soon-to-be-renovated original Port Columbus Air Terminal, located at John Glenn International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, Ohio.

About The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies: The mission of the Center for Aviation Studies is to incorporate engineering, business and behavioral philosophies into a multidisciplinary approach to the many components of the aviation industry. The center supports flight education programs, academic degree programs, research initiatives and outreach activities on local, regional, national and international levels. https://aviation.osu.edu/

MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Kaplan, Executive Director C: (937) 212-8847
Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Museum RonKaplan@OhioAirandSpace.org