MASM Computer Simulation

MASM works with teachers and youth group leaders to structure programs that expose their students and members to all aspects of aviation and aerospace.  MASM uses historical artifacts and interactive displays to present how ideas became realities. MASM provides two aircraft simulators that students and young attendees are shown how to fly.  There is an air traffic control simulation available.  Further there is a drone simulator with over one hundred different drone or remote controlled aircraft available to fly.  All these are staffed by trained volunteers. MASM provides a live stream hook up to the Space Station with look down capability.  VR devices are available.  MASM needs support to upgrade all products to be current with industry standards. MASM has sought to obtain a full motion simulator.  MASM also provides seminars and talks open to all age groups.

https://www.massairspace.org/rc-airplanes-free-presentation-december-7-2023/

MASM's affiliation with Bridgewater State University has allowed it to lean how to reach Pre-K to K-8 students using mostly computer based interactive devices.  Statistics show that the Cape area has significantly higher percent of minority population as compared to other non urban parts of the Commonwealth.  MASM is the only on Cape facility that can connect with this population as it relates to the fields of aviation and aerospace.  These disciplines offer an exciting gateway into science and engineering for young minds.  The biggest barrier is the lack of more opportunities such as those presented by MASM.  These segments of the population are underserved due to the lack of funds and staff.

MASM's founders were Cape based aviation professionals that also had aerospace knowledge.  The first few experiments were with educational presentations. They continued by working with a number of educational institutions and government agencies that promoted aviation and aerospace education including a ten year involvement with the FAA/MassPort Career Expo that catered to thousands of inner-city youth in Boston. The inclusion of a director with extensive FAA education experience and advisors with aerospace backgrounds shore up MASM's vision and mission-- MASM's Vision follows:

"To create an educational resource for all that will increase awareness of past regional achievements and future career opportunities for today’s youth in the challenging and rewarding fields of aerospace and aviation."

MASM has served over one thousand students and dozens of teachers. MASM found space in Hyannis, remodeled the space and added more computer based interactive displays.  Since then MASM has worked with local schools and groups to continue to facilitate their aviation and aerospace teaching programs. MASM has also made scholarships available to needy students.  One such recipient was a migrant from Latin America.  

MASM has the floor plan available to grow. It has over 7,000 square feet of unused space.

Aviation and aerospace have seemed to many minorities and women to be non-accessible areas of opportunity.  The disciplines were clouded in the mystery of science and exclusiveness.  Knowledge was further encumbered by jargon.  MASM vision is to demystify these disciplines and open them up to minorities and women.  Movies like "Hidden Figures" and "Tuskegee Airmen" have just begun to expose the public to the possible opportunities available minorities and women.  MASM needs funding to create more hands on exhibits and needs volunteers to be at the ready to demonstrate the excitement that aviation and aerospace can provide. 

AI has become the basis of all new aviation and aerospace advancements.  Virtual reality is the touchstone for basic learning now.  Simulators, VR Headsets used in MASM's museum need to upgraded to meet rapid improvements.  Aviation uses "glass cockpits" more and more.  MASM's display of the experiments conducted in past Space Lab trips demonstrates how much has changed in the last ten years.  The use of AI and compact computerized equipment has reduced weight loads by 80%.  MASM needs to acquire examples of this new equipment to show how much has changed in providing computerized solutions to solving aviation and aerospace problems.  The kind of support provided by MIT Solve and other grantors will go a long way in engaging young minds.

MASM has only in-museum anecdotal evidence of the success of the use of its simulators and VR by Pre-K-8 learners.  That evidence has been demonstrated by the fact that teachers and docents have had to almost physically remove users of the equipment to allow others to use.  However, we have received written reviews from teachers that have attended with students the career fair supported by MASM wherein up to date simulator usage was provide by MassDot Aviation at the fair.  Such evidence supports MASM's observation.  The use of MASM's devices is always proceeded by a docent using models to demonstrate what occurs when various control surfaces are engaged and what the operator can expect.  MIT Solve involvement can go a long way in expanding this operation.

MASM has spends much time and effort ensuring that people represented in its exhibits demonstrate inclusive and equitable examples.  Its docents are trained to explain the back story available that explains the prejudices and obstacles that many innovators had to overcome.  For example Dr. Mae Jemsion and Stephanie Wilson, both African American astronauts and Story Mustgrave who over came poverty and delinquent behavior to become a medical doctor and astronaut.  It is through example that MASM attempts to open the opportunities to all.

One full time and two part time.  MASM's director of education is the former FAA Regional Director of Education.

MASM currently makes it museum available for local (Cape and Islands) teachers and youth groups to demonstrate how people's ideas have been transformed into realities in the realm of science, especially aviation and aerospace.  The displays in the museum show the evolution of flight from seventeenth century hot air ballooning to early aircraft flights to women in aviation to the Goddard rocket to Apollo, to Space Lab. It also showcases the backgrounds or the people involved.  The purpose of the displays is to employ that viewing and touching experience to motivate young attendees to use the computer based simulators in the museum to experience the joy of flight and drones. MASM opens its museum to teachers and group leaders to stimulate thought.  MASM needs additional funds to increase the number of computer, hands on simulation and upgrade existing units.  MASM also needs volunteers who can assist in the use of this equipment.  Even though Cape Cod and the Islands are considered a resort area and a visitor mecca, the income of the  population of these areas is well below the national average.  There are a number of minorities who are underserved and can benefit from what MASM does.  MASM has co-sponsored four annual aviation career fairs, and MIT is welcome to exhibit.  MASM recently awarded a large scholarship for a student that will become an aircraft mechanic.  That student was an immigrant from Latin America.   Here are samples of free lectures:   https://www.massairspace.org/rc-airplanes-free-presentation-december-7-2023/ ;  https://www.massairspace.org/turtles-fly-too-november-9-2023/

Average income for the Cape and Islands full time residents is well below the national average and the minority make up of the residents is more diverse than the rest of the Commonwealth.  MASM visitor fee for 11 and under is only $6.00 and very young children are admitted free.  There are no additional fees for the use of computer based simulators.  If MASM had funds to acquire more computer based displays and simulators and upgrade its existing units, its outreach programs could become more mobile.  That would allow MASM to bring its experience directly to class rooms and outside venues. MASM relies on volunteers.  MASM has reached out the MIT Club on Cape Cod to seek volunteers.  

MASM has focused on education since its inception, even before it occupied its current location. One reason it has is because the workforce in aviation and aerospace it drastically underrepresented by minorities and women.  MASM believes that its efforts can increase awareness to these groups.  MASM like many museums of its type cannot cover operating expenses via visitor fees.  It relies heavily on grants and donations. MASM has over 7,000 square feet of unused space.  This lack of utilaziation is due to lack of funds and volunteer staff.  MASM has followed the news about the lack of workforce available in the future in aviation and aerospace and is endeavoring to help fill that need by exposing the underserved to the opportunities available.