When Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding became available in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Portage Public Schools educators embraced the opportunity to bolster student interest in the wonders of flight, science and technology.

The Portage educators planned to apply the federal funding, made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, toward expanding their existing programs with the world-renowned Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Center in Kalamazoo. The plan allowed the educators to provide unique science and technology experiences sure to ignite students’ curiosity.

Mission accomplished!

How it came together

The partnership between Portage Public Schools educators and the Air Zoo was already in place through generous funding from the Bosch Foundation. The ESSER funding allowed the district to expand the existing program to five elementary schools and cover admission, transportation and snacks for students.

Expansion of the after-school camp provides Portage students an additional avenue for accessing the museum and its numerous educational offerings. Designed as four-week camps, the program offers fourth grade students the opportunity to visit the Air Zoo once a week after school. Working in close collaboration with Portage schools, the Air Zoo tailored a program to meet the needs of students who may not have the means to visit the museum outside of school.

“Offering these experiences for kids outside the normal classroom is great for our students,” said Chris Furlong, Portage Education Association president. “There are many students who may never have the chance to do this type of activity, so providing this program shows we care and need our students to see what great educational programs we have in our community.”

Furlong continued, “I also believe the program allows teachers to see how their students act outside a classroom and to build a better rapport with them. Any time a teacher can get students in the community and away from the classroom adds to the educational journey.”

Beyond the thrill of discovery lies a purpose to ensure every child, regardless of circumstance, can visit the Air Zoo, explained Sara Wagenaar, Portage Central Elementary principal.

“The benefits include kids exploring science in a different, very hands-on, immersive way by conducting experiments, doing take-home projects and more,” Wagenaar  said. “Being able to say they attended a camp outside of school is unique for some students.”

Science through a new lens

Troy Thrash, President and CEO of the Air Zoo, paints a vivid picture of the museum’s appeal as “One-third air and space museum, one-third hands-on science center, and one-third theme park.” The Air Zoo boasts over 100,000 artifacts, immersive science activities, and exciting amusement park rides.

For Thrash, the essence of the Air Zoo lies not in the planes themselves, but in the stories they tell – stories of aviators, engineers and heroes. Thrash wants every young person who comes through the museum’s doors to see themselves reflected in and through its exhibits of aviation and space heroes.

During a recent visit by Portage Central Elementary fourth graders, students were captivated by the wonders of electricity. The students constructed electromagnets and watched science come to life when their finished product picked up a pile of paper clips. They later experimented with open and closed circuits, telegraph messages and generators.

Amy Walker, education manager at the Air Zoo, emphasized the museum’s commitment to reinforcing what students learn in the classroom. The Air Zoo offers educational activities, virtual experiences and outreach programs for students. Between visitors to the museum and outreach programs, the museum has seen over 80,000 students in the past year.

“We work to support teachers by aligning our programs and activities with standards and supporting what is being taught in the classroom,” Walker explained.

Connecting students, community

Kelly Jensenius, Director of Elementary Instruction at Portage Public Schools, envisions additional opportunities for students to access all the Air Zoo has to offer, thanks to Portage educators’ innovative use of ESSER funding.

Feedback from families on Portage Public Schools’ after-school camp has been positive and appreciative, with parents wanting students to have the chance to explore their interests and learn about science differently.

“I think this is another chance for our students to connect with their community and go outside the classroom for hands-on, real time science learning,” Jensenius said. “The STEAM and project-based learning activities at the Air Zoo, in particular, may spark an interest in students and get them thinking about what’s next for them in the future.”