The Murfreesboro Municipal Airport is participating in the Discovery Center’s sixth annual Tennessee STEAM Festival this month.

The Tennessee STEAM Festival “brings science, technology, engineering, art, and math to life at events across the state,” according to its website.

At the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport World of Aviation, the public will learn about what the Murfreesboro Airport does for the surrounding community through displays and educational opportunities teaching the fundamentals of aviation.

In addition, the Experimental Aircraft Association will educate kids about planes and show off the aircraft that take off and land at the airport daily. The Civil Air Patrol will educate the community about its mission and the support they provide. There will also be a Paper Airplane Station that will allow kids and adults to learn about wing mechanics by making paper airplanes.

“We’re excited about participating in STEAM and have been planning the special day with exhibits, static displays, and guests,” Airport Manager Ryan Hulsey said in a statement. “Thanks to our many participating sponsors, the airport is able to offer hotdogs, chips, and bottled water to all who participate in the educational opportunities.”

The following groups will also be present at the festival:

  • The 101st Airborne Division: CH-47 (Chinook)
  • TN Army National Guard: UH-60 (Blackhawk)
  • Murfreesboro City Police: SWAT equipment
  • Murfreesboro City Fire: Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and fire suppression equipment
  • T-34 Association: T-34 Naval Trainer Display
  • Murfreesboro Aviation: Soviet Yakovlev Fighter Trainer
  • Middle TN State University: jet and piston engines on display to see all the inner workings of the engine and show off the aircraft that train future airline pilots
  • Vanderbilt LifeFlight: see one of their active service medical evac helicopters
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator: fly the same plane you just sat in right out of MBT

The festival is free and open to the public on Saturday, October 22 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. During the event, there will be free hotdogs, chips, and water for attendees.

“We are looking forward to inviting the public to the special STEAM event so the community can visit and see first-hand what our growing airport has to offer,” Airport Director Chad Gehrke said in a statement. “STEAM is science, technology, engineering, art and math and the airport will have plenty of that on display.”

– – –

Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Murfreesboro Municipal Airport” by murfreesborotn.gov.