With this support, the Air Zoo will launch Making Space in Michigan, an ambitious multi-year initiative featuring aerospace career-focused exhibits, programs, and interpretation designed to fuel Michigan’s future workforce.

About Making Space in Michigan

The Air Zoo has long been dedicated to expanding its science presence both on the exhibit floor and in classrooms across the region. As space exploration, rocket science, and robotics advance at lightning speed, the careers of tomorrow will demand curious, adaptable learners today.

As southwest Michigan’s hub for STEAM innovation – and with funding support from MI-LEO and the Tyler-Little Family Foundation – the Air Zoo will deliver a groundbreaking suite of aerospace programming, teacher resources, and career development opportunities. Together, these efforts will help close curriculum gaps, support teachers, and ignite a passion for high-demand careers in aerospace, robotics, and beyond.

What’s Coming

Making Space in Michigan will bring fresh energy to the Air Zoo and the community, including:

• New school and educator programs designed to spark curiosity and build critical skills.
• Expanded career pathways and new professional roles created right here at the Air Zoo.
• Permanent exhibits and interactive installations immersing guests in aerospace exploration.
• Mobile and community-based experiences that take aerospace learning on the road.

With programming support from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) the Air Zoo team has already launched this extraordinary project, which is slated for completion in 2029. Each milestone will bring exciting new opportunities for the public to engage – so stay tuned as Michigan boldly makes space for the future!

Looking Ahead

With a world-class focus on spacefaring, aerospace engineering, robotics, rocket science, astronomy, and astrophysics, Making Space in Michigan will create a powerful new pipeline of STEAM talent. Supported by AIAA and its member organizations, all leaders in space and science, the Air Zoo is committed to inspiring tomorrow’s workforce and proving the future of space begins right here in Michigan.

“All the stars just seemed to align – and all the right people are in place,” stated Troy Thrash, Air Zoo President & CEO. “The investments made by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Tyler-Little Family Foundation have created an opportunity for us to support our community in an exciting new way. The Air Zoo has been a regional champion of STEAM education and workforce development for a decade now. This new program will create opportunities for us to grow Michigan’s already strong aerospace industry for decades to come.”

About the Air Zoo 

The Air Zoo is an internationally acclaimed Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science center, boasting a renowned collection of over 100 rare and historically significant aircraft and more than 80,000 unique artifacts, displays, and exhibits showcasing history, science, and technology. The Air Zoo stands apart from similar museums and learning centers of its kind, with a keen focus on hands-on learning and engaging educational programs. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Air Zoo is a one-of-a-kind destination perfect for the whole family with flight simulators, a theater, amusement rides, hands-on exhibits, a restoration program that specializes in WWII planes rescued from the bottom of Lake Michigan, and a one-of-a-kind indoor, hand-painted mural that reaches 32 feet tall and 800 feet wide!