The Smithsonian Institute museums are a collection of world-class galleries, museums and a zoo that are primarily situated in Washington D.C. They were the brainchild and gift from a British citizen who had never visited the United States. James Smithson’s goal was to increase the knowledge of mankind. These museums are a top attraction for group student tours. You can tour museums dedicated to various human endeavors.
Those interested in aviation will want to tour the National Air and Space Museum. It has a vast collection of famous aircraft and spacecraft and serves as a research center for spaceflight, planetary science and aviation. Virtually all of the displays are originals. It contains displays of various aircraft flown during World War I and subsequent conflicts and wars. It also has artifacts from exhibits, such as the Hubble Space Telescope.
There are several aircrafts and models that you can view during DC student tours. They include The Spirit of St. Louis, Enola Gay, Mercury-Atlas 7, Apollo 11 and the USS Enterprise. You can take tours that focus on the history of flight, telescopes, planetary and space exploration. There are also demonstrations and interactive activities on the forces of flight and space station sensation.
A popular exhibit for many students is “The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age.” You can view the famous aircraft at eye-level and learn how the Wright brothers accomplished their amazing feat. The exhibit also includes gliders, kites, artifacts, photographs, equipment and other Wright brother memorabilia.
The Discovery Stations enable you to enjoy interactive activities that focus on astronomy, aviation and other space-related themes. The museum has an IMAX theater, flights simulators and an observation tower where you can view air traffic at nearby Dulles International Airport.