The Frontiers of Flight Museum's new traveling exhibit titled: "Victory from Within,” opening June 27,  details the American prisoner of war experience from the Civil War to modern conflicts.  The exhibit was created by the National Park Service in cooperation with the American Ex-Prisoners of War and the Friends of Andersonville to give more citizens the opportunity to explore the American POW story. The exhibit will be on display through January 31, 2015 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum located at 6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209.

The exhibit includes sections on Capture, Prison Life, Those Who Wait, and Freedom, and displays artifacts and audio-visual interviews from actual prisoners of war. The exhibit is currently in its inaugural presentation at the Andersonville Historic Site in Andersonville, Georgia, the site of a notorious Confederate prison camp during the Civil War, which serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war.  The visit to the Frontiers of Flight Museum will be exhibit’s first appearance outside of Georgia and its third stop in the United States.

The Frontiers of Flight Museum, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, is a gem in our community that attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually including 30,000 students.  The Museum is a learning laboratory using aviation and space flight to encourage and promote student excellence in science, technology, engineering and math.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.  Admission $3-$8.  For information call: (214) 350-3600 or visit www.flightmuseum.com.

Activities for All Ages; Museum Features New STEM-based Robotics Camp  

The Frontiers of Flight Museum’s Flight School Summer Camp soars high this summer with a full schedule of fun, educational, and interactive experiences for students from age four through tenth grade at the Museum located at 6911 Lemmon Ave., near Love Field. Young aviation buffs can learn about the wonders of air and space travel and participate in a variety of activities, like robotics, designing a spaceship, working with aerial navigation charts, building model airplanes, and launching model rockets, among a variety of other fun-filled camps. Each activity is age-appropriate with an emphasis on the physics and/or history of flying and exploration. Day camps start at $45 with a wide range including four-day camps for older students at $245.  For a complete camp schedule visit: http://www.flightmuseum.com/flight-schoolsummer-school/ or call (214)-350-1651.

The eight Flight School Summer Camps all cover different topics for various age groups. The new Robotics camp is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) based program and introduces students to robotics using a unique curriculum designed around the four key components of a robot: central processing unit (CPU), sensors, electronics and circuits, and programming. Advanced Aero has a focus on engineering projects.  Aviator’s Workshop, for third through sixth grade students, encompasses the basic principles of flight, and campers fly their own powered model airplanes. Rocket Lab is for students in the seventh and eighth grades, allowing students to construct their own model rockets. Friday Launch is for children in the first and second grade, and uses kites, balloons and butterflies to help students learn the basics of flight. Friday Flights is for children 4 to 6 years old, allowing students to explore space, meet a flyer and take a trip to the airport. The Rocket Science day camp leads students in grades three through six to learn more about Chinese rockets, and how to build a model rocket. Aero Lab is a four-day camp in which seventh and eighth grade students learn basic knowledge of flying weather and aerial charts, and then they fly a flight simulator at a college campus.

The museum, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, is a gem in the North Texas community that attracts over 100,000 visitors annually including 30,000 students. 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. The museum’s “Flight School” offers educational and recreational classes for all ages throughout the summer, designed to excite the imagination in science, technology, engineering, and math through spacecraft design, aerodynamics, model-building, space survival, and other disciplines.

FRIDAY FLIGHTS (Ages 4 and 5)

Children explore “Space,” meet a “Famous Flyer,” take a “Trip to the Airport” and end with “Let’s Take a Flight.”

FRIDAY LAUNCH (Ages 6 and 7)

Students learn the basics of flight with “Kites,” “Balloons,” “Butterflies” and “Bees.”

AVIATOR’S WORKSHOP (Grades 3 through 6)

Students discover basic principles of flight with unique paper airplanes and a Flight Controls Trainer, work with aerial navigation charts, learn the International Phonetic Alphabet, visit aviation facilities at Dallas Love Field, and build and fly their own rubber powered model airplane.

All 5^th and 6^th grade students enrolled in Aviator’s Workshop will be eligible for a flight experience offered through the Young Eagles Program. This event is sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and will take place on a Saturday after camp week.

ROCKET SCIENCE (Grades (3 through 6)

From the early Chinese rockets to America’s missions to Mars, students explore the history of space flight, the Solar System, the mathematics of rocketry and spacecraft engineering.  They also design a space ship and build and launch a model rocket.

AERO LAB (Grades 7 and 8)

In a fun and challenging four-day experience, students gain a basic knowledge of flying weather, study aerial charts, and complete an aerial navigation exercise.  They also conduct experiments on our new wind tunnel and go on a behind-the-scenes tour of D/FW International Airport.

ROCKET LAB (Grades 7 and 8)

Students construct their own model rocket and work in teams to build and launch an advanced multi staged model rocket. They will participate in a space survival exercise.  Students also work in teams to plan a Martian space mission.  On a field trip to a local university, they launch their rockets and tour the campus’s science labs.

ADVANCED AERO (Grades 9 and 10)

Students focus on engineering projects.  They will explore engineering principles while designing and building their own structures and applying their knowledge to aircraft design, load-bearing structures and aircraft accident investigation.

ROBOTICS (Grades 7 and 8)

This STEM based program introduces students to robotics using a unique curriculum designed around the four key components of a robot: central processing unit (CPU), sensors, electronics and circuits, and programming. Each day students focus on one of the four components leading up to the final day where they design, build, and test a robot to manipulate a series of challenges integrated around a simulated Mars landscape. This program is made possible through collaboration with Modular Robotics maker of Cubelets and MOSS.

A North Texas contingent recently joined fellow representatives from the Arthritis Foundation South Central Region at the Arthritis Foundation’s 16th Annual Advocacy Summit, held March 24-26 in Washington, D.C.  The Advocacy Summit brought together nearly 300 key arthritis advocates from all 50 states to meet with members of Congress to let them know that more needs to be done for people with arthritis.  

During the event, advocates Chris Nieto and Pamela Steele met with U.S. Representative Joe Barton from Texas’ 6^th District to discuss the physical and financial impact arthritis has on fellow Texans.  Members from the Arthritis Foundation South Central Region also recognized policymakers who have performed exceptional service in support of the Arthritis Foundation’s mission by advancing public policy and the Foundation’s legislative agenda on behalf of the more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children living with arthritis in the U.S.

About the Arthritis Foundation

Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation (http://www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the unacceptable impact of this serious and painful disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest. The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.

Walk Hero Claire Brenner Pledges to Make Journey Easier for Others

Juvenile Arthritis is one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting children, yet it often goes undetected or misdiagnosed when symptoms first appear. One North Texas 6^th grader understands this firsthand and she is making plans to lead the way to help generate awareness for others suffering with arthritis by rallying support and sponsoring a team at the upcoming Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Saturday, May 3. Visit www.walktocurearthritisnorthtx.org.

At 12-years-old, Frisco’s Claire Brenner has refused to let her diagnosis get the best of her.  Committed to raising awareness about the disease, she’s leading the charge as the 2014 Youth Honoree in the annual Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas. She will be joined by a host of family, friends and classmates as part of her fundraising team during the event this spring.  The North Texas Walk is one of more than 130 similar events across the nation in recognition of National Arthritis Month in May.  The Walk will unite the North Texas community to put an end to arthritis, a chronic disease that affects 53 million adults in the U.S., four million Texans and more than 25,000 children across the state, like Claire. 

Claire was just a six-year-old when her parents knew something was terribly wrong. It all started when she woke up in the middle of the night unable to walk.  The doctors treated it as a virus, but Claire continued having joint pain so the doctors referred her to Scottish Rite Hospital where she was later diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. 

After their daughter was properly diagnosed, Claire’s parents learned that Juvenile Arthritis is an umbrella term that refers to many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger. Juvenile arthritis affects 300,000 children in the U.S. While there are many forms of juvenile arthritis one common thread among them is that they can have a serious, even life-threatening impact on a young child.  It’s important for caregivers to know the signs and symptoms.

Claire’s treatments included a battery of lab work, x-rays MRI’s, weekly steroid injections and frequent rheumatology visits and eye exams.  Through it all, the Arthritis Foundation has been an invaluable resource and steadfast supporter to Claire and her family.  Participating in the Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas is just one way Claire has been working to make a difference in the lives of others who face the challenges of living with arthritis pain every minute of every day.    

Last year, Claire organized her classmates at Frisco Montessori Academy and led a school read-a-thon which raised more than $4,000 for the Arthritis Foundation.  This fundraising activity was capped off by the support that Claire’s fundraising team generated at the Arthritis Walk in 2013.

 “Supporting the Arthritis Foundation is one way we can help give back to an organization that has done so much for us,” said Claire. “By doing so we help other kids like me. Raising funds in the Walk gives us hope that we will someday find a cure for arthritis and better the lives of those who have this disease so that nobody else has to deal with the things that I do.  I hope people will donate and walk with me so I can achieve my goal of helping find a cure.”

 The Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Globe Life Park in Arlington and features a three-mile and one-mile course.  The Walk to Cure Arthritis raises funds and awareness to fight the nation's leading cause of disability. The event includes information about arthritis and fun activities for the entire family. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs.  For more information or to register online visit: www.walktocurearthritisnorthtx.org.

The Frontiers of Flight Museum Gala is not just a time for ceremonial grandeur featuring stellar performances by honor guards, drill teams and musical entertainment by Oscar-contending composers, but according to one Dallas philanthropist it’s also a time to celebrate for a good cause. That’s because Gina Ginsburg is serving as Chair of the Frontiers of Flight Museum Gala, Dallas’ premier event to celebrate accomplishments in aviation, set for Friday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m.  Ginsburg is leading the charge to generate awareness and support of the gala which benefits the education of the next generation of aviators and astronauts through the Museum’s incredible Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs that reach more than 10,000 students each year.  Visit: http://www.flightmuseum.com/2014-gala/.

Joining Ginsburg on the 2014 Frontiers of Flight Museum Gala Committee are: Hugh McElroy, Jan Collmer, Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, Jess Hall, John Billimek and Heather Dickie.  Attendees will welcome many special museum supporters and enjoy an unforgettable evening of fine dining and entertainment. Attire is black tie optional. 

During the Frontiers of Flight Museum Gala, themed “Not for Self, But Country,” Ginsburg will herald an evening celebrating service to country and community which will also pay tribute to the 2014  recipients of the George E. Haddaway Award.

The 2014 George E. Haddaway Award co-honorees are Admiral Patrick Walsh (Ret.) and former Navy officer Roger Staubach who will be recognized for their service and achievements in the United States Navy and their lifetime contributions and service to their communities.  The awards ceremony will be a highlight of the evening with Ross Perot serving as the guest presenter. 

“The Frontiers of Flight Museum Gala is a very special evening dedicated to the accomplishments and contributions to aviation and space exploration and we are particularly proud to be recognizing these two distinguished honorees,” says Ginsburg, mother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and commercial jet pilot.

This year’s George E. Haddaway Award recipients are both Naval, business and community stalwarts. Admiral Walsh has a distinguished 34-year career in the armed forces flying with the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron “Blue Angels” and in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm. He retired as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.  Roger Staubach is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, former Navy officer and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “Both of these gentlemen have continued to serve their country and communities through their countless good works,” says Ginsburg.

As a new board member of the Frontiers of Flight Museum, Ginsburg is particularly interested in using her role as gala chair to help further the organization’s mission to support education.  “One of my primary objectives is to help the Museum in its efforts to support its STEM education initiatives and to expose children to opportunities in aviation and space flight,” says Ginsburg.

According to Ginsburg, the Frontiers of Flight Museum has recently received a series of grants toward enhancing and expanding its widely recognized educational programs.  “A $50,000 grant from Boeing will help the Museum to go from serving 6,000 students to over 12,000 students on-site and in our satellite location. The grant will also support professional services to develop and expand our STEM content,” says Ginsburg.

Ginsburg was also delighted to share that KXAS-TV NBC 5 provided a $25,000 grant to support the Museum's Flight School Summer Camp at Dallas Executive Airport.  “This provides high-quality scientific instruction and career opportunities in the aviation industry to economically underserved children living in Dallas,” says Ginsburg.

Ginsburg explained that the Museum has enjoyed a successful partnership with Blue Sky Education Foundation and DISD to introduce a hands-on six-week Science of Flight program to fourth and fifth graders in 14 DISD schools.  Another one of the Museum’s recent education initiatives reached nearly 1,000 students who visited the traveling exhibit, ‘Celebrating the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen,’ and met Airmen Homer Hogues, Calvin Spann, Ret. U.S. Air Force Maj. and Yolandea Wood, as well as viewed the acclaimed  film, Rise Above.

“The annual Frontiers of Museum Gala is a continuation of the ongoing support we have received to help us fund areas of greatest need and it is a tremendous benefit to the Museum and our community,” says Ginsburg. “We are fortunate to have so many in the North Texas community who understand 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.  In addition, the Museum has over 30 aircraft from the Wright Flyer to the one-of-a-kind Flying Pancake, the Apollo 7 spacecraft, 11 galleries, and over 35,000 historical artifacts on display. The Living History program features the portrayal of prominent personalities in aviation history who present both on-site and in the community.  Dallas’ support of the Frontiers of Flight Museum serves to further promote the enrichment of cultural and educational opportunities across North Texas,” she says.

Guests at the Frontiers of Flight Museum Gala will enjoy an elegant evening emceed by NBC 5 News Anchor Meredith Land, featuring fine dining and extraordinary performances. “We are especially pleased this year to include in our entertainment lineup the Hillcrest High School Panaders and the Wylie East High School Air Force JROTC Armed Drill Team,” says Ginsburg. “In addition, Chris Irwin and Jeff  Widenhofer, Navy veterans and nationally recognized composers for the documentary, Murph: The Protector, will be performing.”

“As a mom, the work of the Frontiers of Flight Museum is close to my heart because it’s also one of my sons’ favorite places to visit,” says Ginsburg.  “Through my own experience I’ve seen what the Museum does firsthand to inspire and educate our children, and I’m delighted to join the Frontiers of Flight Museum in hopes that we can really make a difference to those in our community and help provide much-needed educational programs for all children to enjoy.” 

Supporters of the 2014 Frontiers of Flight Museum Gala include: (3-Star $25,000) – Suzanne and Jan Collmer; Gena and Dan Hamilton; (2-Star $10,000) - American Airlines,  Boardwalk Auto Group/Gina and Scott Ginsburg; Dallas Airmotive; Averille and Stewart Dawson; Hillwood; Judy and Hugh McElroy; NBC 5/KXAS-TV; Marianne and Roger Staubach; Mrs. Romona Upfield; (1-Star $5,000) – ALON USA; Aviall; Cardinal Green Advisory Services; Cinemark; Millie and Kenneth Cooper; Lou Ann and Mike Corboy; Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport; Dickie+Associates; Mary and Bob Dilworth; Ebby Halliday REALTORS; Events by Bill; Ezra Gentle Films; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation; Herbert Minerals Limited; Huitt-Zollars; Hunt Consolidated, Inc.; Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones and Ron Jones; OsteoMed; Patricia and Blaine Nelson; Pure Water Baths; SAFRAN Labinal Power Systems; Scott Murray/Murray Media; Sewell Automotive Companies; Signature Flight Support Corp.; Southwest Airlines; Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union; TAC Air; Angela and Jim Thompson/Blue Sky Foundation; Tolleson Wealth Management; University of Texas at Dallas – Eugene McDermott Library, History of Aviation Collection; UPS; Wolfgang Puck Catering.

Individual patron tickets are $250; Various sponsorship levels are available.  For more information contact: Jess Hall  at (214) 350-3617 or email at hall@flightmuseum.com. For more information visit: http://www.flightmuseum.com/2014-gala/.