Youth and Family
PROGRAMS
NEW! Join us this summer for Aerospace Academy Family Workshops!
Designed for children ages 8-12 and their caregivers to explore the history, science, and technology of aviation together, these interactive workshops include hands-on activities, behind-the-scenes access, and specialty guided tours. Workshops are themed by week, and families are encouraged to register for all six themes to complete the Summer 2026 Aerospace Academy Family Workshop Challenge.
Each workshop will be offered three times over the course of one week (a morning session, an afternoon session, and a weekend session), with each workshop session providing the same content/experiences, allowing families flexibility when registering for Aerospace Academy Family Workshops. Summer 2026 sessions will be held on Tuesday mornings from 10:00am-1:00pm (Morning Session), Thursday afternoons from 12:00-3:00pm (Afternoon Session), and Saturday mornings from 10:00am-1:00pm (Weekend Session).
Aerospace Academy Family Workshops fees are $40 per session and include the workshop and museum admission for one child and one accompanying caregiver. Registration is limited to 20 children per workshop, and children must remain chaperoned by their caregiver at all times. Registration for each session closes two weeks in advance, or when the session sells out, whichever happens first.
Summer 2026 Workshops:
Week 1: July 5-11, 2026: Aircraft Design: Learn the basics of aircraft engineering and discover how aerospace engineers revolutionized the world.
Week 2: July 12-18, 2026: World War II Wonders: Discover the aviation innovations (and innovators!) of World War II and learn how they continue to impact modern life today.
Week 3: July 19-25, 2026: Everything But Airplanes: Learn how the four forces of flight apply to aircraft other than airplanes and how aircraft components keep those aircraft flying.
Week 4: July 26-August 1, 2026: Aircraft Restoration: Discover how NEAM restores historic aircraft and roll up your sleeves to practice your aircraft maintenance skills.
Week 5: August 2-8, 2026: Space Voyagers: Learn how humans use the science of flight to explore our solar system and beyond.
Week 6: August 9-15, 2026: All About Airports: Explore the past, present, and future of airport operations and try your hand at airport careers.
NEW! Join us this summer and fall for an Aerospace Academy Teen Workshop!
These workshops introduce teens ages 13-17 to the wonders of flight through hands-on demonstrations, engaging instruction from retired pilots and aerospace engineers, behind-the-scenes access to the museum, aerospace career opportunities, and much more! All workshops offer the same curriculum, giving families flexibility in fitting these exciting workshops into their schedule.
Aerospace Academy Teen Workshops are held on Saturdays from 9:00am-3:00pm, and the $60 workshop fee includes the workshop as well as museum admission for both the participating teen and their parent, guardian, or caregiver. Teens must remain chaperoned at all times during these workshops.
Workshop registration closes two weeks prior to each workshop, or when each workshop sells out, whichever happens first.
Summer/Fall 2026 Aerospace Academy Teen Workshop Dates:
Saturday May 30, 2026
Saturday June 27, 2026
Saturday August 22, 2026
Saturday September 26, 2026
Saturday October 17, 2026
NEW! Join us for Aerospace Academy at Home, a new digital learning program that brings aerospace history, science, and technology right to your door.
2026 Sessions: Challenger Center Maine Satellite Challenges
Our 2026 Aerospace Academy at Home sessions are presented in partnership with Challenger Center Maine Satellite Challenges, and are designed for children ages 10-14 and an accompanying adult. The $50 workshop fee also includes two complimentary admission passes so families can explore the museum in person at a later date.
Destination Mars: We need to build a base on one of the Red Planet’s moons, Deimos or Phobos, that will allow us to send a spacecraft to the surface of Mars and back in the fastest and safest way possible. Help select which moon is best to build our base by analyzing three sets of data collected by rovers on Deimos and Phobos.
Session Dates: January 10, 2026, April 4, 2026, July 11, 2026, October 17, 2026
Destination Moon: Launch and fly Blue Orgin’s reusable launch vehicle, New Glenn, into orbit; safely land Blue Origin’s lunar lander, Blue Moon, on the lunar surface; and prepare to explore the Moon’s surface.
Session Dates: February 14, 2026, May 2, 2026, August 8, 2026, November 21, 2026
Observation Earth: Earth-monitoring sensors on the International Space Station are outdated and need to be replaced with new, state-of-the-art hardware. You will work to capture a cargo craft using a robotic arm, monitor astronauts during a spacewalk as they install the new sensors, and analyze data from Earth-monitoring satellites.
Session Dates: March 14, 2026, June 6, 2026, September 12, 2026, December 19, 2026
We recommend families register for one of each of the three sessions to have the full Aerospace Academy at Home experience. All sessions run from 2:00-3:30pm on Saturdays and registration closes two weeks prior to each session or when the session sells out, whichever happens first.
NEW! The museum is opening its doors after hours for families with children of all ages. Join us from 5:00-8:00pm for hands-on activities, special family friendly tours and demonstrations, as well as open cockpit experiences, flight simulators, and more! Families are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy in our dining hall and/or outdoor patio (weather permitting). Open to families with children of all ages, and tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.
Spring 2026 Family Night: Wednesday May 27, 2026
Fall 2026 Family Night: Wednesday October 25, 2026
Enjoy family-friendly drop-in programs offered on weekends, during school vacation weeks, and for eight weeks over the summer. Flights of Family Fun Programs are included with general admission and are subject to change, but generally include:
Build & Fly Challenges: Hands-on activity stations
Family Fun Tours: Take a closer look at objects, aircraft, and exhibits in the museum
Soarin' Story TIme: Read an aviation themed story under the wing of an airplane
Flight Science Demonstrations: Uncover the science of flight
