For this assignment, I went to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. I have been to this museum numerous times as a kid, and each time it was amazing. I chose to do the “Modern Military Aviation” exhibition for this assignment because aviation is incredibly fascinating to me. I plan to become a professional pilot and this type of exhibit is right up my wheelhouse. From discussing early inventions in aviation and aeronautics to tackling the challenges of space flight and exploration, this exhibit went into detail about the desire of America to be at the forefront of aviation and the prestige of space flight. Being in the nation’s capital, the Air and Space museum is in the perfect place for tourism and many defense contractors conveniently located across the Potomac near the Pentagon.
The purpose of the exhibit is to deep dive into the history and inevitable goals of military aviation. My dad was an Army pilot and walking through the exhibit, I was able to pinpoint certain topics that I understood from knowledge passed down to me by my Dad. The exhibit is very educational and discusses how military aviation led to the technology that is used in drones, missiles, and rocket propulsion. It goes back in time and touches on some of the first ever aircraft used, such as the introduction of helicopters in Vietnam and special bomber jets built for nuclear capabilities during the Cold War. There are numerous interactive displays and activities littered throughout the exhibit that make learning the material fun.
The technology used within the exhibit enhances the experience and learning ability for everyone. Each main showcase had a touchscreen display that gave all sorts of information and data of whatever was being shown. There was an interactive game played on a touchscreen table for children and live models explaining the technology behind helicopters. All the digital elements were easy and fun to use and they added excitement for all ages. The exhibit was easy to navigate and anyone with movement disabilities would have no trouble getting around. There were not any sensory aids for blind or deaf people, but that is something that the museum can improve on. All the information was written and spoken in English, but there were options for audio recording in other languages for tourists. Families with children were the primary clientele of the museum and there were not any free programs for underserved populations.
The layout of the exhibit flows seamlessly between the technology base and time period. It starts with a nice overview of advanced technology to draw you in, and then it branches off into different eras starting at WWI and WWII and going all the way to the present day. Artifacts like parts of aircraft and uniforms of pilots wonderfully accent the main displays. The dark overcast of the setting makes you feel like you’re in the cockpit of a fighter pilot or deep in the ocean on a submarine. You genuinely feel like you are in the military. The experience is a solo one without much interaction with other visitors. It is a blast you will never forget.
The “Modern Military Aviation” exhibit at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum was a phenomenal experience that I would highly recommend for everyone. My experience helped me learn that interactive displays and games are a terrific way to get people interested in things that they normally wouldn’t be. Using digital elements is wonderful method to influence the public and educate the masses. This experience was a blast of nostalgia that reminded me of when I was a kid, running through the museum with my sister and my dad.
References
“Modern Military Aviation.” National Air and Space Museum, 31 Jan. 2024, airandspace.si.edu/whats-on/exhibitions/modern-military-aviation.
