Museum Founder and Former United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Applauds Innovative Partnership
Dallas’ Frontiers of Flight Museum announced today how a $50,000 grant from The Boeing Company has enabled the museum to launch a new education initiative titled "Flight Path: Awareness to Achievement." The announcement was made during a joint press conference held at the Museum hosted by Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, Frontiers of Flight Museum Chief Executive Officer and Jay Sutorius, Program Manager of the Dallas Division of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. They were joined by an array of museum supporters, as well as representatives from the aviation industry and the Dallas philanthropic and business communities, including one of the Frontiers of Flight Museum Founders and Former United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Visit: www.flightmuseum.com.
The grant’s project results benefitted the Museum by enhancing and expanding its widely recognized educational programs that serve thousands of youngsters across North Texas. "Funding from the Boeing grant enabled us to develop a logic model that allowed us to conduct research to measure the impact of our existing initiatives, as well as develop and launch new programming to better serve and engage our growing constituency, " said Sutterfield-Jones.
The Frontiers of Flight Museum used the Boeing-funded logic model to evaluate the effectiveness of its STEM education programs and to build a new framework for success. "This gave us a roadmap with a clear course to enhance our quality STEM programming with new resources and activities that will help us meet increased demand and bring added value to even more North Texas youngsters," said Sutterfield-Jones.
The grant supported professional services to develop and expand program content and ensure continuous improvement and growth. Thanks to Boeing’s support, the Frontiers of Flight Museum is better able to meet the accelerated demand for its outstanding STEM education programs. These efforts help contribute to increased technical literacy in the short-term, resulting in better-skilled employees in the long-term with a lasting impact on our community.
"Helping the Frontiers of Flight Museum strengthen its science, technology, engineering and math education programs and encouraging student interest in those fields aligns with Boeing objectives to inspire student learning and develop the workforce of the future," said Boeing’s Sutorius. "We’re committed to making sure that STEM education is woven into the fabric of our community and the work of our nonprofit partners, and it’s a special bonus when it ties into aviation! Organizations like the Frontiers of Flight Museum are important resources for schools and our community. We are excited to work closely with the Museum to implement a new, forward thinking approach to teaching through experience and hands-on learning," he said.
The Museum recently enhanced its infrastructure and has experienced an extraordinary period of growth under the leadership of Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, Chief Executive Officer. A new website, donor and member database, POS system, marketing materials and public relations have contributed to the Museum’s increase in community awareness. These initiatives, along with new programs and exhibits, have resulted in an over 30% increase in attendance last year. This success sets the stage for the Museum to place special emphasis on its rapidly growing STEM education programs to better meet the interest and needs of North Texas school children and educators.
"The Frontiers of Flight Museum has experienced tremendous growth and has provided an invaluable service to our community since I first served as one of its founding members 26 years ago," said Former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. "I’m delighted to see the great work of the museum continue with this grant award from Boeing. It will help fund areas of greatest need and is a tremendous benefit to the museum and our community. Boeing understands how important philanthropy is to supporting organizations like the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The Museum is a learning laboratory using aviation and space flight to encourage and promote student excellence in STEM education. Boeing’s support of the Frontiers of Flight Museum serves to further support the enrichment of North Texas cultural and educational opportunities," she said.
The Frontiers of Flight Museum, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, is a gem in the North Texas community that attracts over 100,000 visitors annually including 30,000 students. The Museum is conveniently located just north of downtown on Lemmon Avenue at the southeast side of Dallas Love Field Airport, north of Mockingbird Lane.
Housed in a modern 100,000-square-foot facility, the Frontiers of Flight Museum provides a focal point to explore the history and progress of aviation, as mankind continues to pursue going higher, faster and farther. Educational classes for all ages are offered throughout the year, designed to excite the imagination in science, technology, engineering, and math through spacecraft design, aerodynamics, model-building, space survival, and other disciplines.
Through its Global Corporate Citizenship organization, Boeing builds better communities worldwide by giving time, funding, and expertise to improve access to globally competitive learning and skills development, foster creativity, sustain the environment, and improve civic engagement. In 2013, a total of $176 million from The Boeing Company and its employees went to help improve communities across the globe.
"Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and known for its innovation," said Sutterfield-Jones. "The Frontiers of Flight Museum is grateful for Boeing’s support of our future growth and innovative development of our educational programs. This is a significant donation, and one we are very proud of receiving."
For information call: (214) 350-1651 or visit www.flightmuseum.com.