The final countdown has begun to fund Project Skylab, a $4.6 million project that will add 8,000 square feet of educational space to the Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum, create a new entrance and lobby for the museum, as well as expand exhibit space.
Project Skylab, part of SUN ’n FUN’s Aerospace Center for Excellence on the Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL) in Florida, will feature convertible classrooms, going from one classroom to one giant classroom that can seat 500 people. Once completed, Project Skylab will meet a community need for additional educational space and a place where students can get hands-on learning experiences in the sciences through a new program called STEMfusion.
SUN ’n FUN officials report they have raised 90% of the funds for the project. That includes a $500,000 grant from the state of Florida and a $1 million grant from the James C. Ray Foundation, as well as donations from the public.
SUN ’n FUN officials had hoped to raise money for the project during the 2020 SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, which had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Progress on the project has continued, as much of the grant money was earmarked specifically for the project and has stipulations that require construction to move ahead at a certain pace.
Fundraising continues online.
Those interested in donating can go to the Donations page and select which project or area they would like their donations to go to: Project Skylab; ACE Education & Outreach Program; the Florida Air Museum; ACE Scholarship Program, the Lakeland Aero Club (the flying club for students at the Central Florida Aerospace Academy, the high school on the SUN ’n FUN campus); or the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, which is slated for April 13-18, 2021.
There will also be opportunities to donate to Project Skylab during the upcoming Holiday Flying Festival, slated for Dec. 4-5, 2020.
“There will be an exhibit where people can learn more about Project Skylab,” reports Greg Gibson, chief marketing officer for SUN ’n FUN. “If people would like to contribute, it will certainly be available.”