'African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space' Saturday in Chantilly

CHANTILLY, VA — A showcase of groundbreaking black airmen will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway.

It's called "African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space."

It's free but parking is $15.

The event, according to organizers, "celebrates the significant contributions African Americans have made to flight and space exploration despite the overwhelming obstacles they had to overcome. Enjoy presentations, hands-on activities, and stories. Learn about African American astronauts, pilots, and scientists of the past and present and their accomplishments."

Here's a rundown of the day:

TIMED ACTIVITIES AND PRESENTATIONS

In the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar

• Astronaut PresentationHear from NASA astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson.10:30 am
• Follow Me! An Adventure with the Tuskegee AirmenA puppet show about the Tuskegee Airmen, produced for the National Air and Space Museum by Rainbow Puppet Productions.11:30 am and 1:30 pm
• Portable Planetarium Presentations 11:30 am, 12:30 and 1:30 pm
• Living the Tuskegee Airmen LegacyCurrent professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields discuss the struggles and triumphs they have encountered to be the best in their careers.12:30 pm
• Conversations with Tuskegee AirmenA presentation from original Tuskegee Airman of the East Coast Chapter who served during or right after World War II1:30 pm

ALL DAY PRESENTATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

On the lower level of the Boeing Aviation Hangar

• Career Talks with STEM Professionals: U.S. Air Force Academy Air Liaison Team, Legacy of Flight Academy, USAF Academy Way of Life Alumni Chapter, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals and the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees
• National Air and Space Museum Archives
• Paper Airplane Design Contest Demonstrations
• Make an Escape and Invasion Map
• Discovery Stations
• Design a Tuskegee Airman Squadron Patch
• Making STEM Magic: Operation Sky People: Learn about drag in our February challenge and create a parachute to give your paratrooper the safe landing.
• Story Time and Aviator Dress-Up Corner: Nobody Owns the Sky: The Story of “Brave Bessie” Coleman

Image via the Smithsonian