NEW ORLEANS (May 21, 2018)  – The Boeing Company has pledged $1.5 million to The National WWII Museum in New Orleans to support the institution’s education and innovation programs aimed at advancing student knowledge in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math – collectively known as STEM. Through this gift, Boeing will be recognized as a lead supporter of the STEM program in perpetuity in the Museum’s STEM Innovation Center. Additionally, the Museum’s annual Robotics Challenge will expand to a multistate regional competition, allowing a larger student population to develop problem-solving techniques through applied science and engineering.

The donation will also lead to more staffing resources and three new interactive exhibits in the STEM Innovation Gallery – Gears and Generators, Internal Combustion and Turbochargers and Exponential Growth of Bacteria. These exhibits will examine technological breakthroughs made during World War II, displaying how these advancements helped planes fly in lower altitude and how controlling bacteria growth led to lower mortality rates. 

“Boeing aims to make a difference in the communities where our teams live and work,” said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and member of The National WWII Museum Board of Trustees. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with The National WWII Museum in expanding STEM education opportunities for students across New Orleans and fueling excitement for aerospace.”

The Museum launched its STEM education program – now housed in the John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion – in 2012 and currently offers STEM education field trips and summer science camps to over 1,000 students annually, as well as STEM weekend workshops and professional learning opportunities for teachers through a curriculum aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

The 2018 Robotics Challenge, which encourages students to develop their programming and problem-solving skills while learning about World War II, recently hosted nearly 400 participants. The expanded competition will be open to students from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas who will participate in qualifying tournaments with the goal of advancing to compete in a final event at the Museum.

The Boeing Company – makers of the military’s famed B-17 Flying Fortress – previously donated $15 million to the Museum to help complete US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, which opened in 2013. This pavilion features authentic aircraft suspended from its ceiling with catwalks affording visitors up-close views. The pavilion is also home to an honor wall dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients from World War II. The aircraft on display include a B-17E Flying Fortress (My Gal Sal, which crash-landed on the Greenland ice cap and remained there for 50 years after the crew was rescued), a P-51 Mustang painted in the style of the Tuskegee Airmen “Red Tails,” and the forward fuselage of a B-24 Liberator that is situated so that guests can view the interior. 

“We are so grateful to the Boeing Company for their continued generosity and commitment to educating future generations on the history and important lessons of World War II,” said Stephen J. Watson, President & CEO of The National WWII Museum. “The WWII generation faced a great number of challenges – both overseas and on the Home Front – and their problem-solving skills were critical to our victory in the war. The innovations they developed not only helped to secure freedom around the world over 70 years ago, but still shape the world we live in today. Our goal is to educate students on the past so they can use the principles of STEM to solve the problems of tomorrow.”  

About the Boeing Company: Through purposeful investments, employee engagement and thoughtful advocacy efforts, Boeing and its employees support innovative partnerships and programs that align with the company’s strategic objectives, create value and help build better communities worldwide. Boeing’s efforts are focused on improving access to globally competitive learning, contributing to workforce and skills development, and supporting our military and veteran communities. Chicago-based Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top US exporter, the company supports airlines and US and allied government customers in more than 150 countries.

The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that future generations will know the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National WWII Museum, it celebrates the American spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifices of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and served on the Home Front. The 2017 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards ranks the Museum No. 2 in the world and No. 2 in the nation. For more information, call 877-813-3329 or 504-528-1944 or visit nationalww2museum.org.

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Media Contacts: 
Keith M. Darcey
keith.darcey@nationalww2museum.org
504-528-1944 X 488