Pearson Air Museum Resources
Pearson Air Museum is excited to announce the development of two new curriculum-based programs for school groups. The museum is interactive and hands-on, and it is an excellent way to extend learning opportunities outside of the classroom.
Teacher's Guide
Download the Teacher's Guide Here
Note: Document contains 80+ pages
Interactive Programs
The Great Convention (Grades 3-7)
Students learn about the timeline of flight in this region through the lives of the individuals that helped shape aviation history. Students take roles in an imaginary meeting of historic aviators. After being assigned roles, they research the characters using the museum’s static displays. They role-play interactions with each other. Finally, they create a timeline.
Scavenger Hunt
Students interact with the exhibits, concentrating on historical change and continuity, technology and the role of geography.
Dig Deep: The WASP Experience
Students learn about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program through the exhibit at the Pearson Air Museum. Students analyze a letter written announcing the dissolution of the program. Afterward, students consider different interpretations of the program and develop a thesis regarding its significance.
Dig Deep: The Significance of Valerii Chkalov’s Trans-Polar Flight
Students learn about Valerii Chkalov’s flight at the Pearson Air Museum. Afterward, students read three historical narratives treating the flight. Students read different interpretations of the event and develop a thesis regarding its significance.
Group Tours
Teacher Guided Tour
The teacher leads students on a tour of the museum. The museum’s educational coordinator will work with you to ensure your tour covers the topics and curriculum that meets the needs of your group.
The Great Convention
Grade Level: 3–7
Length: 75–90 Minutes
Key Concept
The history of flight can be considered through the eyes of individuals.
Description of Experience
Students take roles in an imaginary meeting of historic aviators. After being assigned roles, they research the characters using the museum’s static displays. They role-play interactions with each other. Finally, they create a timeline.
Goals
As a result of this experience, students will be able to:
- Understand and analyze how individuals have shaped the history of flight.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- Interpret museum displays to answer questions.
- Dramatize a historical figure.
- Differentiate between individuals.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: History 1.2, 2.2; Social Studies: Skills 2.1; Social Studies Curriculum Based Assessment Connection: What’s the Big Idea?
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: History, Analysis
Scavenger Hunt
Grade Level: 4–12
Length: 1–2 Hours
Key Concept
The exhibits at Pearson Air Museum tell the history of flight with a regional focus.
Description of Experience
Students interact with the exhibits, concentrating on historical change and continuity, technology, and the role of geography.
Goals
As a result of this experience, students will be able to:
- Provide examples of historical change and continuity.
- Evaluate the geographic influence in historical events .
- Understand how to use simple models to represent objects.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- Draw a diagram explaining a scientific process demonstrated in one of the exhibits.
- List three “Firsts” described in the exhibits.
- Explain why Pearson’s geography was important to an event’s happening here rather than elsewhere.
- Find something that happened in the past that couldn’t happen today because of changes. Find something that happened in the past that could happen today because things haven’t changed much.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: Geography 3; Social Studies: History 1.2; Science 2.1
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: Geography, History
Dig Deep: The WASP Experience
Grade Level: 9–12
Length: 60 Mintues at Pearson. Significant student time spent afterward.
Key Concept
Documents related to the dissolution of the WASP program teach about the status of women roles in the US during World War II.
Description of Experience
Students learn about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program through the exhibit at the Pearson Air Museum. Students analyze a letter written announcing the dissolution of the program. Afterward, students consider different interpretations of the program and develop a thesis regarding its significance.
Goals
As a result of this experience, students will be able to:
- Develop a thesis on a historical question that is supported by the analysis of artifacts.
- Compare and evaluate competing historical narratives and analyze multiple perspectives.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- Analyze historical artifacts related to the WASP Program.
- Consider three historical narratives related to the program.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: History 1.1.3b, 1.2; Social Studies: Civics 4.1
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: History, Civics, Analysis
Dig Deep: The Significance of Valerii Chkalov’s Trans-Polar Flight
Grade Level: 9–12
Length: 60 Minutes at Pearson. Significant student time spent afterward.
Key Concept
The reception of Valerii Chkalov’s aerial exploits teaches about the Soviet Union under Stalin.
Description of Experience
Students learn about Valerii Chkalov’s flight at the Pearson Air Museum. Afterward, students read three historical narratives treating the flight. Students read different interpretations of the event and develop a thesis regarding its significance.
Goals
As a result of this experience, students will be able to:
- Develop a thesis on a historical question that is supported by the analysis of artifacts.
- Compare and evaluate competing historical narratives and analyze multiple perspectives.
- Accurately describe interactions between geographic and other factors.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- Analyze historical artifacts related to the Chkalov flight. Map the course of the flight.
- Read and consider three historical narratives related to the flight.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: Geography 3.2; Social Studies: History 1.1.3b, 1.2
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: Geography, History, Analysis
Teacher Guided Tour
Grade Level: 4–12
Length: 1–2 hours
Key Concept
The exhibits at Pearson Air Museum tell the history of flight with a regional focus.
Description of Experience
The teacher leads students on a tour of the museum.
Goals
Depends on teacher choices.
Objectives
Depends on teacher choices.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Depends on teacher choices.
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Depends on teacher choices.
