Start on Success interns decorate pedal planes for Early Learners Gallery at the Virginia Air and Space Science Center

Kicking off early February 2025, Virginia Air and Space Science Center (VASSC) in partnership with Hampton City Schools and the Start on Success program, entered their second year providing workforce development opportunities for Bethel High School seniors.

The group this year has the unique opportunity to leave a permanent mark on one of the more popular exhibit experiences. In the Early Learners Gallery, there are many interactives for the younger museum guests. One of the highlights is the pedal plane airport track where children can “fly” the wooden pedal planes. These planes are decorated to resemble the aircraft on display in the VASSC gallery.

Bethel interns Jayden, Xander, Darren, and Josiah, helped paint and decorate a Pitts Special stunt plane and a P-51 Mustang. The P-51 is painted to resemble the red tail design used by the Tuskegee Airmen in WWII. This is to honor their legacy and it ties into the literacy center and the museum’s upcoming Tuskegee airmen exhibit.

This group did a fantastic job and had the opportunity to learn how to paint and do some light maintenance on the planes. These will be enjoyed by young people for years to come and these interns now have a lasting legacy at the Virginia Air and Space Science Center.

Photos and text courtesy of the Virginia Air and Space Science Center.