Air Zoo Blog
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2020
Seeing Stars!
At the Air Zoo, we talk a lot about heavenly bodies and stars, and this story is no different—except that these stars could be found on the silver screen!
Movie stars played vital roles during World War II (1939-1945), such as starring in films which gave Americans a glimpse into the war or just the opposite—took their minds off it for a little while. Some stars helped promote desired wartime behavior, such as proper safety precautions for defense plant workers. After a...
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Friday, Dec 11, 2020
2020 Employee and Volunteer Awards
It is with great pride and appreciation that we announce our 2020 Employee of the Year and 2020 Volunteer of the Year award winners: Erin Lewis and John Seward.
Erin Lewis, Empolyee of the Year
Erin has always been a rock star (especially when she teaches geology) here at the Air Zoo during her seven-year tenure, but her impact on her team and the Air Zoo as a whole in 2020 has certainly reached a new level. She came to the Air Zoo with many foundational qualities and skills ...
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Monday, Dec 7, 2020
Shaba Arrives This Week!
The Air Zoo is proud to announce the arrival of their newest aircraft. Over the last eight days, Air Zoo President & CEO, Troy Thrash, along with a crew of dedicated transportation specialists, embarked upon a journey of 1,940 miles to bring the aerospace and science center's new aircraft home to the Air Zoo, located in Portage, MI. This new plane is a stealth fighter, a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, Tail #817, and nicknamed Shaba.
“I really can’t believe the time has ...
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Wednesday, Nov 25, 2020
A Christmas Hero Premieres!
Hot off the presses!
December 8th marks a very exciting day for us at the Air Zoo - A Christmas Hero, filmed mostly at the Air Zoo in 2019, will hit the US on DVD and many Video on Demand (VOD) platforms. This movie, which debuted in the U.K. on November 23rd, depicts a young disillusioned war vet named Nick (Michael Welch), recently home from Afghanistan. As Nick finds himself struggling with depression and despair, a visit from his guardian angel (Lauren Rys Marti...
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Wednesday, Nov 25, 2020
Building a Model
As many prepare for the winter weather and the holidays, your Air Zoo Exhibits and Collections departments are also busy working on exhibits for 2021. One of those new exhibits will explore the history of and give guests a look into a model aircraft and spacecraft building. America’s fascination with aviation rose right along with Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first aircraft. When Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic in 1927, businesses including the Cleveland Model & Supp...
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Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020
Air Zoo and Christy Kincaid named in 2020 MMA Member Awards
Every year, the Michigan Museums Association (MMA) presents awards to members for exceptional programs, exhibits, and individuals that made an impact during the year. 2020 has been challenging on many fronts, so they're putting their typical awards program on hold in favor of celebrating MMA members, individuals and institutions, that supported, adapted, and innovated this year.
We are extremely proud to have been awarded the 2020 Pivot! Award, as an organization that transitio...
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Thursday, Oct 15, 2020
Exciting volunteer opportunities for people of all ages at the Air Zoo
As a non-profit, the Air Zoo is supported annually by hundreds of amazing volunteers. Recently, our team has been supported by Zach Zlomek - an aspiring Eagle Scout - who has been working on his Eagle Project. As part of his project, Zach has coordinated over a month of volunteer hours (on 40 hour weeks) to repair, sand, paint and set up 14 new (to us) display cases.
Over the weekend, Zach and his crew of volunteers helped set up 4 of these display cases to include new stories about: (...
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at Thursday, Oct 15, 2020
Monday, Oct 12, 2020
Air Zoo takes 2020 Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards to Streaming Event
Staff at the Air Zoo in Portage, Michigan are busily preparing for the 7th annual Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards (SIHOF), which honors the heroes of our past through the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame, celebrates today’s inspirational and dedicated teachers, and highlights the exceptional accomplishments of some of our region’s best and brightest students. What has typically been an evening of fundraising, dinner, music, awards and celebration at the Air Zoo’s annual...
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Friday, Oct 9, 2020
The Air Zoo: A Storied Past (and Present!)
November 2020 marks the Air Zoo’s 41st birthday. We’re proud of our four decades (plus one year!) of engaging, educating, and entertaining our West Michigan community and beyond. As our Collections and Exhibits teams look back over 41 years, we recognize that the Air Zoo’s story has always been about people: People and their unique stories.
Each airplane and spacecraft displayed on our exhibit floor required a dreamer and a designer; engineers and test pilots; mechanics and...
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at Friday, Oct 9, 2020
Friday, Oct 2, 2020
The Air Zoo Launches Live, Virtual Learning Labs to Support Science Education – Across the Country
As the country enters its seventh month of altered operations, and schools and educators alike, across the country, struggle to support student learning and engagement in this new environment of onsite, online and hybrid learning, the Air Zoo innovates its science offerings to help fill the gap.
“As we build on the outstanding success of our new, immersive and engaging virtual summer camp programs, that reached children and families across the country, and even into Mexico, the d...
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Tuesday, Sep 22, 2020
B-17 Flying Fortress to Visit Air Zoo Last Michigan Stop in the 2020 Salute to Victory Tour
The Yankee Air Museum announced it is dispatching its flagship, the Boeing B-17G “Yankee Lady,” to the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport on Saturday, October 3, 2020. The Museum’s award winning World War II heavy bomber is visiting the area, offering self-guided tours and Air Adventure rides. The plane will arrive at approximately 10:00AM. Flight operations are scheduled to begin at 11:00AM at the Air Zoo...
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Monday, Aug 10, 2020
WWII Transport Airplane to Visit Air Zoo
August 11, 2020, Portage MI —The Douglas C-47 “Hairless Joe,” cargo plane will visit the Air Zoo’s Flight Discovery Center on Saturday, August 15, 2020. The plane and crew will be arriving around 9am and plan to offer Air Adventure rides to those interested in booking a seat for flights scheduled that morning.
“We are elated to have an opportunity to offer the community an exciting distraction. Whether folks want to book a ride or just enjoy the soun...
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Come visit us.
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Great place! Very interesting educational and informational! Great place to take the whole family as there is something for young children up to adults!
blackeyedsusan2018
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We took our grown daughters and young grandsons to the Air Zoo. It was very entertaining for all of us. There is so much to see and do. Rides for the whole family!
Rick C