Educator Resources
Welcome to the Hiller Aviation Museum and the world of flight! We look forward to seeing you and your class at the Museum soon. Please review our welcome letter and our Visitor Guide before visiting our Museum. As you prepare for your visit, you may find the following information helpful.
Educator Membership
Classroom teachers working in public or private K-12 schools are welcome to join the Museum as Educator Members at no charge. Educator Members receive the benefits of Individual Membership, including free admission to the Museum for a period of one year and a 10% discount on most Gift Shop items. Educator Membership is free to qualified teachers. To apply, download our Educator Membership Application and return with the required employment documentation to:
Hiller Aviation Museum
Attn: Membership Department
601 Skyway Road
San Carlos, CA 94070
Join today and begin enjoying the benefits of Membership at the Hiller Aviation Museum!
Forces of Flight Resources
Junior high groups participating in the Forces of Flight hands-on program may wish to undertake the “Propeller Palooza” pre-visit activity. This inquiry-based activity may be completed in the classroom prior to visiting the Hiller Aviation Museum and introduces students to many concepts that will be investigated during their program. Completion of this pre-visit activity is not required to successfully participate in the Forces of Flight hands-on program.
Following a Forces of Flight program, junior high groups may wish to conduct the “Flying Circus” post-visit activity. This design challenge integrates aerodynamic concepts introduced at the Museum as students work to design, build and fly a simple rubber band powered airplane capable of meeting one of two design criteria. Completion of this post-visit activity is not required to successfully participate in the Forces of Flight hands-on program.
Teacher Workshop Resources
The Hiller Aviation Museum supports teacher professional development by presenting inservice workshops and presentations at select educator conferences. Handouts from recent workshops are available for download below.
Program Evaluation
We encourage teachers who have completed a field trip to the Hiller Aviation Museum to complete our online survey. Feedback from field trip groups is extremely important to the Museum as we strive to provide a superior enrichment experience. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us and help us to improve our programs.
Hiller Aviation Museum
Attn: Education Department
601 Skyway Rd.
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 654-0220 (fax)
Exhibit Safaris Scavenger Hunts
Before or after any hands-on programs that you have selected are complete, you may wish to have your class participate in an Exhibit Safari appropriate to their grade level and your objectives for the field trip. Student and teacher masters for your Safari are linked below, and additional hard copies are available on request at the volunteer station adjacent to the restrooms in the Museum Atrium.
Hiller at Home
Let the Hiller Aviation Museum come to you with a virtual experience! Learn about aircraft on exhibit, take a virtual tour, print, cut, fold and build a flight-related project or drive a simulated Mars rover across the surface of the Red Planet!
Hiller at Home
Four To Soar Lesson Plans
Developed in concert with NASA, Four to Soar is an aerodynamics curriculum suitable for use with students Grades 5-8. The full Four to Soar experience includes a pre-visit design challenge, a museum-based hands-on inquiry experience, and a post-visit design challenge. The Museum portion of Four to Soar is offered as the Forces of Flight hands-on program for field trip groups visiting the Hiller Aviation Museum, but it may also be adapted for implementation at other museums or elementary/middle schools. Complete activity guides may be downloaded below, courtesy of NASA and the Hiller Aviation Museum.
Questions regarding the implementation of these activities or feedback about their effectiveness can be sent to education@hillerstage.bglobal.com. Thank you for sharing the amazing science of aerodynamics with your students!
How to Schedule Your Field Trip
1. Determine at least two possible dates for your field trip.
2. Select PROGRAM topic for hands-on program.
3. Use our online field trip request system or call the Hiller Aviation Museum at (650) 654-0200 at least two weeks in advance of your requested date to make a reservation.
Confirmation information is distributed via email within three business days. Review confirmation information carefully upon receipt.