Programs

In preserving our objective to encourage youth participation in S.T.E.A.M, the Robinson Family Aerospace Mission has developed several programs catered to children, teenagers, young adults and educators, in addition to, the general public.

MARS – Our program surrounding Mars entails all of the technological advancements and scientific discoveries that are being made in regards to the Red Planet. We believe that the topic of Mars is not only imperative to youth, but conducive to our goal of promoting S.T.E.A.M. The study of Mars and Martian exploration spurs innovation and creativity. Our program on Mars serves as a channel for youth to be exposed to various endeavors undertaking by NASA. Specifically, this program highlights Martian exploratory missions such as Opportunity and Spirit, Phoenix, Curiosity, MAVEN, and more.

SPACE – Our Space program highlights the significance of space exploration and the imperative role exploratory missions have in scientific discoveries. Similar to our Mars program, our Space program is tailored to but not limited to young people. Our primary objective for this program is to enlighten our audiences of the interplanetary discoveries made by unmanned missions thus far, in addition to imparting the opportunities associated with space exploration. Specifically, our program showcases imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope, Dawn, Kepler, and more. Integrated in this program is a virtual challenge which allows participants to assume the role of an astronaut and partake in timed exploratory missions.

EARLY AFRICAN AMERICAN AVIATORS – Our Early African American Aviators program features a collection of early aviation pioneers which includes Bessie Coleman, Janet Harmon Waterford Bragg, Willa Beatrice Brown, Cornelius Robinson Coffey, Eugene Bullard, James Herman Banning, and Ida Van Smith, just to name a few. Ultimately, this program is designed to inform audiences of the early pioneers that transformed aviation history. Alongside our exhibition of these early aviators and pioneers is a brief presentation on the history of The Chicago Defender and its role in early aviation. This presentation also highlights the work and accomplishments of The Chicago Defender’s founder, Robert S. Abbott.

AFRICAN AMERICAN ASTRONAUTS – Our History of African American Astronauts program showcases the monumental achievements of African American astronauts such as Dr. Mae C. Jemison, Stephanie Wilson, Edward Joseph Dwight Jr., Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., and Bernard A. Harris Jr., just to list a few. Our purpose in creating this program is similar to our program on Early African American Aviators, which is to acknowledge as well as educate our audiences of the contributions which African Americans have made in regards to space exploration.

AVIATION – Our Aviation program is structured similar to our Space program, except we impart the applicability of aviation and aeronautics. This program is intended to present the opportunities in aviation that can be explored from both the ground and air. This program highlights the history of aviation, careers within the field, and even offers hands on experience for participants. Included in this program is flight simulator where participants can fly various aircrafts and learn the fundamentals of flight. Additionally, our program features aviation related competitions and games for our younger audiences, where they will gain an understanding of the responsibilities of air traffic controllers.

LECTURES/TALKS – The Robinson Family Aerospace Mission also has a lecture and talk series where we dive further into the beginning of our mission as well as share insight on entrepreneurship, book publishing, writing/journaling, volunteerism, and community involvement.