I cannot fathom a more deserving project worth NSF's support than one that will "elevate" the minds of our nation's young people and not-so-young people by teaching the fundamentals of (powered) flight. This is an exhibit that while grabbing their attention will enlighten them to the extraordinary career possibilities in aviation and space technology. For that reason alone, I am extremely proud that the National Science Foundation, along with NASA and our corporate sponsor has provided funding and other support for this exhibit.

It would be difficult to overstate the importance of learning "How Things Fly" and how a display like this can inspire particularly our young people to want to learn more. For many, it will spark a flame for science and engineering learning that will continue to grow throughout their lifetime.

I also understand that there is the possibility a portion of this exhibit will travel to cities nationwide so that those folks who do not live in the Washington metropolitan area can also learn about aviation and spaceflight through the hands-on activities that characterize this marvelous exhibit.

Indeed, this interactive gallery is an educational device, a laboratory of discovery, that will literally lift most participants far beyond their everyday learning experience to explore new heights, maybe even planets, stars, and galaxies they never before imagined.

Now I ask, what more could one want than the chance to learn while having fun. Thank you. Smithsonian and all who have made this exhibit possible.