DAYTON, Ohio — The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has officially opened the Joe Clark Innovation Lab, a new facility designed to inspire the next generation of aerospace pioneers.
The 1,600-square-foot lab is part of the NAHF’s Discovering Flight program.
Since launching Discovering Flight in 2020, the NAHF has been “dedicated to making aerospace education accessible to all,” according to officials.
“This journey began with the Problem Solving with Wilbur and Orville program, a STEAM-based elementary curriculum developed in partnership with ThinkTV/PBS. Supported by the Ohio Department of Education, this initiative has reached over 6,000 classrooms across Ohio, impacting over 200,000 students in under-resourced districts,” officials explained.
The Joe Clark Innovation Lab represents the next phase of the journey. Inside the lab, students of all ages can engage with a variety of educational tools and activities, including:
- Flexible Workspaces: Tailored areas for younger students to interact with curriculum-based projects.
- Design Studio: This space, equipped with 3D printers and scanners, allows older students to work on advanced research and design projects.
- Aviation Petting Zoo: A rotating collection of aviation materials offers hands-on learning opportunities.
- Bruce R. McCaw Idea Pad: A quiet, creative nook for brainstorming, problem-solving, and reading.
The lab is named in honor of NAHF Enshrinee Joe Clark, an aviation innovator whose contributions to the industry include groundbreaking winglet designs that are credited with saving billions of gallons of fuel, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of air travel.
“Joe Clark’s legacy is one of visionary innovation,” said Aimee Maruyama, president and CEO of the NAHF. “His work continues to inspire new generations to push the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace.”
“The Joe Clark Innovation Lab is more than just a learning space — it’s a place where imagination takes flight,” Maruyama continued. “By providing students with the tools and inspiration they need, we are fostering the future leaders of aerospace and continuing the legacy of innovation that defines our nation’s aviation history.”
For more information: NationalAviation.org
I I assume this facility is in Dayton. But the article omits the “where” from Who, What, Where, When and Why.
The dateline of the story is “DAYTON, Ohio”. But labeling it “a new facility designed” does make one wonder where this new facility may be. Alas, the National Aviation Hall of Fame is co-located with the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Sorry for the confusion.