MUSEUMS: Explore space from the ground at the Air Museum's Space Expo

Apr. 13—The New England Air Museum is holding its annual Space Expo Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum at 36 Perimeter Road in Windsor Locks.

This year's keynote speaker is Donya Douglas-Bradshaw, the deputy director for planning and business management for Goddard Space Flight Center's Engineering and Technology Directorate.

"She's from NASA," said Tianna Darling, executive assistant at the air museum.

"We're excited to have Bradshaw," Darling said. "She's in the middle of everything right now. She's the project manager of the Lucy Mission."

The Lucy Mission, which launched in 2021 is the first mission to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids.

According to NASA's website, the Jupiter Trojan asteroids are a collection of primitive asteroids orbiting in tandem with Jupiter.

Darling said one of the draws for the expo is that it is for people of all ages, inspiring people to learn about space.

There is a bump in interest in space exploration this year as NASA recently announced the Artemis mission, the first manned space flight to the moon in over 50 years.

Darling said having current events so prominent in the news helps relate with the museum is trying to do with the expo.

Stephanie Abrams, president and CEO of the New England Air Museum, said the expo is especially relevant because of the Artemis mission.

"This year has special meaning," Abrams said. "The Artemis mission is very exciting. The moon is a stepping stone to Mars."

She said recent discoveries with the James Webb telescope have also increased interest in space exploration.

"The James Webb Telescope is finding galaxies everywhere," she said. "It's truly unraveling the lack of knowledge we have about the universe. Part of it is determining what happened at the very beginning. One of the biggest mysteries is that 85% of the universe is composed of dark matter. It's only detected by gravitational pull. We have no idea what it is."

Though the expo is designed "to inspire kids and expose them to the possibilities of aerospace," as Abrams said, it is not a strictly informational and educational environment. The expo will have fun activities as well, including a visit from the 501st Legion Connecticut Garrison, a group of Star Wars enthusiasts who come in costume as stormtroopers.

"Everyone likes a good stormtrooper walking around the museum," Darling said.

Don "Dr. Flush" Rethke will also be on hand, she said, who is one of the museum's volunteers.

"He worked for Hamilton Standard during the Apollo missions," Darling said. "He was one of the key inventors of the space toilet. It's very cool to have that living legend here at the museum."

There will also be guests from the Aldrich Astronomical Society from Paxton, Massachusetts; the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford; CATO Rocketry Club from Durham; the Connecticut Science Center; the Danbury FIRST Robotics Team; Chapter 166 of the Experimental Aircraft Association in Hartford; NASA Solar System Ambassador Program; and the Talcott Mountain Science Center.

"They'll have activities to show guests and individual groups," Darling said.

Abrams said the guests' talks and demonstration will expose people to a variety of careers in space exploration — not just astronauts, but engineers as well.

"There's so many ways to get involved," she said.

Katelyn Rutty, communications manager for the Connecticut Science Center, said they appreciate any opportunity to interact with the community and other organizations within the STEM community.

She said the science center will be presenting a robotics exhibit called Ozobots.

"They're robotics pieces that kids can interact with," she said. "We want kids to be curious and be interested in STEM and meet them where they are and be inspired."

Darling said children can also participate in the Cosmic Kids Challenge Passport, where if they successfully travel around the museum and get all the activities in their passport stamped, they'll receive a prize at the end of the day.

"Events like this is fun for kids and family and it also ignites the spark for kids to want more," Abrams said.

"It sparks that passion for science and how the natural world works and the universe works. It goes beyond just family fun."

LOCAL MUSEUMS

The Somers Historical Museum will be open Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

There are new displays of the Somers Inn, schools, and Somersville Mfg. Co.

Admission is free.

The Springfield Museums will present "Make Your Mark," special, facilitated, and independent programing during school vacation week Monday through April 21.

The programs are inspired by the current exhibit "Nelson Stevens: Color Rapping" and will explore themes of creativity and community art with hands-on, facilitated activities.

The Springfield Museums are on the Quadrangle at 21 Edwards St. in downtown Springfield.

Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged.

For more information, call 413-263-6800 or visit: SpringfieldMuseums.org

—The Windham Textile and History Museum (The Mill Museum) in Willimantic will host a talk by Dan Thomacos on "The Art of Vacuum Forming" on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Dugan building, 157 B Union St. See art and fabric in a different way.

Admission is $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Tickets must be purchased in advance by PayPal, at the museum gift shop by cash or credit card, or online at: millmuseum.org

—Robert Wiesenberger, curator of contemporary projects at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass., will respond to Matt Paweski's Matrix exhibit at The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art during a Gallery Talk on Saturday at 1 p.m. The talk is free with admission.

Wiesenberger will draw on his own critical and curatorial interest in the intersection of modern and contemporary art, design, and architecture. For more information on programs and tours, visit: thewadsworth.org

For coverage of local restaurants, cultural events, music, and an extensive range of Connecticut theater reviews, follow Tim Leininger on Twitter: @Tim_E_Leininger, Facebook: Tim Leininger's Journal Inquirer News page, and Instagram: @One_Mans_Opinion77.