Focus on Education
Bob Underwood
AMA Education Committee Member
WHAT WERE you doing on October 10? Can't remember? That's all right—call it a "senior moment." But you can bet that many people, especially kids, remember the time they spent at the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey! That was the opening day for the Smithsonian road show, called On Miniature Wings.
In case you've missed the many announcements in this publication informing you about the display, here is a little recap. From the October opening in New Jersey, about 25 beautiful museum-scale models from the Smithsonian collection will be touring the United States. At each stop, the Academy hopes to provide instructional programs, demonstrations, additional display models, and docent helpers. During the two-plus years on the road, the display will visit museums from coast to coast.
Wes De Cou, District II Vice President, worked as a liaison for the Morristown presentation. His report of the opening indicated that it worked very nicely. Hanging larger quarter-scale models from the ceiling supplemented the large display cases on the museum floor. He indicated that the museum staff members were very excited about the improved "look" with the incorporation of these models into the display.
The Academy is supplying Delta Darts to the clubs working with the museums for an exhibit-building session. An attempt was made to do a little prep work for the first session; however, they ran out in short order.
Later sessions, designed for school groups, will include additional time to build the Darts. Incidentally, the 8,000 Darts supplied by AMA and the Radio Control Hobby Trade Association carry a special covering imprinted with information regarding the sponsoring organizations, such as the Smithsonian, AMA, the Radio Control Hobby Trade Association, and others.
We report that the real hit of the opening was the indoor flying of models such as Pennylanes, EZBs, Bostonians, etc. The format was simple; from three locations in the gallery, two veterans of the sport and the New Jersey State Science Olympiad winner (13 years old) just wound and flew—and answered a myriad questions posed by the crowd.
Suzanne Gyorgy, Director of Exhibitions and Collection, writes to Wes:
"Thank you and all participating members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics for a wonderful day last Sunday. As you know, the Museum's attendance soared to more than 700 people and Delta Darts were everywhere!
"The demonstrations of lightweight rubber band-powered airplanes flying in the Main Gallery was incredible. I still can't believe how beautifully they fly along the ceiling, dipping down with gusts from the air-conditioning, and then rising back up.
"The airplanes and video loaned to the exhibition by the Academy of Model Aeronautics have pulled On Miniature Wings: Model Aircraft from the National Air and Space Museum together. This provides much-needed information about model aeronautics and is greatly enjoyed by the Museum's viewing public.
"Thank you for all the work you have done to make this exhibition a success, and thank you for all the upcoming work you have agreed to do!"
By the time you read this, the display will have moved west and settled into the Castle Museum in Saginaw, Michigan for a January 8 opening. Clubs in that area will be carrying the tour until April, when the exhibit moves a little south to the Motor City—Detroit.
Sound like fun? Get in on it by contacting a museum in your area to see if they are interested in hosting On Miniature Wings!
Instruction program and public relations manual
Several months ago, we informed you of an instruction program developed by Dennis Mindersma and the Palos RC Flying Club of Illinois. A number of clubs and individuals availed themselves of the offer made to share that information.
During the 1999 RCHTA show in Chicago, Dennis shared another document with us: the Public Relations Presentation Outline Manual. Its working title is Show and Tell on the Road, and it presents a well-organized approach to developing programs about aeromodeling to use with any type of group. There really isn't anything magical about the material. Upon viewing it, most certainly others will find elements they would want to add or delete. However, the important factor is that this is a well-thought-out approach and it's down in print.
Clubs often have the opportunity to share our hobby/sport, but without proper preparation it becomes hit-or-miss. By running through the outline and groupings of information, many of the "oh, we forgot" or the "why didn't we" aspects are taken care of.
The conclusion of the introduction to the material states:
"Be honest and up front as this is a very challenging hobby. We have, by far, more rules, regulations, and requirements than the average hobby. We take greater risks with our investment, but the rewards are greater as well. Educating the audience as to what we are all about will help them make better decisions, if they choose to enter the hobby. The odds are they will stay in when they do. Good luck with your presentation."
The club and material may be found through their Web site: www.palosc.com. It is important to note that permission to copy it is granted in whole or in part. Why not take your show on the road in your area?
Quick summary / highlights
- Smithsonian's On Miniature Wings opened October 10 at the Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ.
- About 25 museum-scale models are touring the country over two-plus years.
- Exhibit enhancements included hanging quarter-scale models from the ceiling.
- AMA supplied Delta Darts for hands-on exhibit-building sessions (8,000 Darts with sponsor information).
- Indoor flying demonstrations (Pennylanes, EZBs, Bostonians) were a highlight.
- Next scheduled stop mentioned: Castle Museum, Saginaw, MI (January 8), then Detroit in April.
- Palos RC Flying Club's Public Relations Presentation Outline Manual (Show and Tell on the Road) is available at www.palosc.com and may be copied in whole or in part.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
