LEARN
EXPLORATION STATIONS
Exploration Stations are special exhibits that feature items that can be picked up and handled. They are designed to engage children and special needs adults by offering a fun, hands-on experience.
We currently have a military gear station and a space exploration station.
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY
History Day is a yearly competition for students in grades 6-12. The event’s purpose is to encourage students to explore the past as a historian. Students can select their own topics, find the significance of their event in history, and create one of five different types of projects - Exhibit, Research Paper, Performance, Website, or Documentary. Students may work in small groups or individually. Judging is in two categories according to grade levels: sixth, seventh, and eighth; ninth, 10th, 11th, and 12th.
Regional contests will be held during March in New Orleans, Lafayette, Shreveport, Baton Rouge and Monroe. In April, the best projects from around the state head to the World War II Museum in New Orleans, where they will compete for a chance to represent Louisiana at the National History Day contest in Washington, D.C. Students will have opportunities to win cash prizes and scholarships at every level.
Every year, National History Day frames students' research within a historical theme. Students are free to choose any topic they feel addresses the theme, and are encouraged to look not only to history and social studies for possible topics. Topics covered in economics, geography, art and science can also fit this theme.
To learn more and to register, visit nationalww2museum.org. Should students or teachers have questions about the registration process, they can contact the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum for assistance at 318-362-5540.
SCHOOL GROUPS
The Chennault Aviation & Military Museum has a unique focus—relating history through the stories of local individuals. We believe that learning about northeast Louisiana’s hometown heroes is an invaluable experience for our children and teens. The museum has always been a tremendous resource for area schools, hosting thousands of students annually.
School tours typically consist of an introduction and film, a guided tour of the museum, and an activity. We are always happy to tailor your class visit to your students’ area of study or interest. Activities offered include scavenger hunts tailored to grade level, a military themed magic show for younger students, and artifact demonstrations.
Our museum includes exhibits on Selman Field Navigation School, Gen. Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, the Wars on Terrorism, Delta Air Lines, and NASA. All five branches of the U.S. Armed Services are featured.
Contact the museum at 318-362-5540 to schedule a tour for your students today!
RESEARCH LIBRARY
The Chennault Aviation & Military Museum is proud to offer a research library containing an in-depth collection of materials on American warfare (especially World War II), all branches of the U.S. armed services, military aviation, military weapons and vehicles, Gen. Claire L. Chennault and the China-Burma-India theater. Many of the materials are quite rare, including several first editions.
The library also holds several rare scrapbooks, yearbooks and memory books regarding the service of area men and women during wartime
Lesson Plans: (links to the following)
African Americans in World War II Lesson Plan
Personal Interview History Lesson Plan
Primary and Secondary Sources Lesson Plan