Molokai students stand in front of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber on display at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Oahu.

For many students from the island of Molokai, traveling to Oahu for a three-day field trip was something new and exciting. But imagine spending two nights at a “sleepover” on a battleship or climbing into a cockpit of a fighter jet. The action-packed itinerary included hands-on aviation-related STEM activities and visits to historic World War II sites including Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, USS Bowfin, USS Missouri and USS Arizona Memorial.

Pacific Aviation Museum recently hosted 22 5th- and 6th-graders from Maunaloa and Kilohana elementary schools, as well as five accompanying teachers and chaperones. The majority of funding was provided by Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, in partnership with the USS Missouri Memorial Association.

“The Discover Pearl Harbor program is designed to bring history to life and to help students gain a better understanding of the science of flight,” said Shauna Tonkin, director of education at the museum. “The museum launched the program in 2016, and since then, we’ve hosted more than 250 students, many from remote areas and Title 1 schools throughout Hawaii.”

“Coming from a very rural town and island, this program is valuable in many different ways,” said 5th- and 6th-grade teacher Wendy Espaniola from Maunaloa Elementary School. “It not only provides an opportunity to learn the wonders of history and science hands-on, but it also removes them from their comfort zone. While we stress academics, this is also a great opportunity for them to work on their social skills outside of a familiar setting. There is more attentiveness, engagement and participation across the board.”

“We are learning about what happened and why America got involved in the war, but we’re actually here, not just looking at pictures,” said Maunaloa Elementary School 6th-grade student Rusty Morris. “We also learned about what makes planes fly, like the science, how the headwind makes a difference and how one change in the flaps and wings of a plane can change how well it flies.”

Added fellow Maunaloa Elementary School 5th-grader Pikake Lee, “They told us about history and how everyone came together after the (Pearl Harbor) attack. Like how women got involved and helped build the planes and deliver them. I learned how a plane was built in the factories. They also taught us group things like trusting your leader, and communicating so everyone understands instructions.”

For more information on these programs, go to www.pacificavationmuseum.org/education or call (808) 445-9137.