Wyoming Air National Guard Announces 2025 Discovery Day with New STEAM Experience
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Wyoming Air National Guard Prepares for 2025 Discovery Day: A New “STEAM Experience” to Ignite Young Minds
The Wyoming Air National Guard is gearing up for its annual Discovery Day—a tradition that brings the public into the base, allowing residents, students, and families to get a behind‑the‑scenes look at the life of an Air Guard unit. This year’s event, slated for June 5, 2025, will feature a brand‑new “STEAM Experience,” a multi‑disciplinary program that blends Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics to spark curiosity among local youth and inspire the next generation of aviators, engineers, and innovators.
What to Expect
The discovery day will take place at the Wyoming National Guard Center in Cheyenne, a facility that houses the 138th Air Refueling Wing. The base’s commander, Colonel Karen Thompson, emphasized the importance of public engagement: “Discovery Day is about showcasing the hard work and dedication of our Air National Guard personnel while also highlighting the exciting career pathways available to young people in STEM and the arts.”
The STEAM Experience, a partnership between the Air National Guard, the Wyoming Department of Education, and local high schools, will include the following interactive stations:
| Station | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Flight Simulator Hub | Students can pilot a simulated F‑35 Lightning II, learning about navigation, avionics, and the basics of flight control. |
| Drone Lab | A display of the latest UAV technology, along with a hands‑on “build‑and‑fly” workshop for participants aged 12–18. |
| 3‑D Printing Workshop | Youth can design and print their own small mechanical parts, discovering how digital design translates into physical objects. |
| Rocket Launch Pad | Small, student‑guided model rockets will launch to demonstrate Newton’s laws of motion in an exciting way. |
| Art & Design Corner | An arts station encourages participants to create aviation-inspired art, blending creativity with engineering concepts. |
| Career Expo | Recruiters from the Air National Guard, the U.S. Air Force, and civilian aerospace firms will talk about careers, scholarships, and educational opportunities. |
The event will also feature a Q&A session with active duty pilots and support personnel, giving attendees a chance to ask about flight training, career paths, and the Guard’s role in national defense and emergency response.
Registration and Logistics
The Discovery Day is free of charge, but attendees are required to register online at the official Air National Guard discovery page (link: https://www.wyomingairnationalguard.com/discoveryday/2025). The registration portal provides a schedule of sessions, a map of the base, and a FAQ section addressing safety protocols and crowd management.
Because the event will draw large crowds, the base has implemented a “first‑come, first‑served” seating system for the simulator hub and a ticketed lottery for the drone lab to manage the limited number of workstations.
Safety remains a priority. The base has posted an Emergency Procedures Guide on the discovery page, outlining evacuation routes, first aid stations, and contact information for the base’s medical team.
Community Impact
The Air National Guard’s decision to focus on STEAM aligns with Wyoming’s broader educational goals. According to the Wyoming Department of Education, STEM enrollment in high schools has risen by 12% over the past five years, and there is an ongoing push to incorporate arts into science curricula. The STEAM Experience will serve as a tangible example of how technology and creativity can work hand‑in‑hand to solve real‑world problems.
“The STEAM initiative demonstrates that the Air Guard is not only a military organization but also a community partner dedicated to student success,” said Ms. Laura Greene, superintendent of the Cheyenne Public Schools. “This event will give our students a chance to see how the principles they learn in the classroom translate to high‑impact careers.”
In addition to the local impact, the Air National Guard will highlight its participation in the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), an agency that accelerates the adoption of commercial technology in the U.S. defense enterprise. Through this partnership, the Guard can showcase how consumer‑grade drones and 3‑D printing can be leveraged for national security missions.
Additional Resources
The original article on Wyoming News (link: https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/wyoming-air-national-guard-to-host-discovery-day-2025-steam-experience/article_fe498783-d5a1-478d-93bc-ef49676ca058.html) includes a reference to the “Discovery Day 2025” page hosted on the base’s website. Clicking that link takes you to a dedicated landing page that provides a full schedule, downloadable maps, and a “Meet the Guard” section where visitors can view biographies of the base’s commanders and key personnel.
The article also cites a link to the National Guard News Service, which covers the Guard’s broader initiatives and provides additional context about the Air National Guard’s evolving role in homeland security and humanitarian missions. The service’s coverage underscores that events like Discovery Day are part of a larger effort to maintain public support for the Guard’s dual state and federal missions.
Looking Forward
As the 2025 Discovery Day approaches, the Wyoming Air National Guard has set an ambitious agenda to not only showcase its operational capabilities but also to cultivate future talent. By offering a rich STEAM experience, the base demonstrates its commitment to education, community engagement, and innovation. Whether you’re a curious high school student, a parent looking for extracurricular opportunities, or a local resident eager to learn more about the Guard’s work, the Discovery Day promises an inspiring day of discovery and a glimpse into the world of air defense and aerospace technology.
Mark your calendars for June 5, 2025, and prepare to explore the cutting‑edge intersection of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics—all within the supportive environment of the Wyoming Air National Guard.
Read the Full Wyoming News Article at:
[ https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/wyoming-air-national-guard-to-host-discovery-day-2025-steam-experience/article_fe498783-d5a1-478d-93bc-ef49676ca058.html ]