‘Aim High’ Tuskegee Airmen exhibit comes to Children’s Museum of Atlanta

During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen became the first group of Black military pilots to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The unit served as fighter and bomber escorts.

They survived racism, discrimination and doubt from their white counterparts to successfully complete their missions and inspire future generations of diverse military and aviation personnel.

To commemorate their bravery and service, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is having its first opening exhibit for the year, “Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen,” a hands-on installation that allows children and families to reenact the Black soldiers’ experiences through STEAM activities. It opens Jan. 17 and runs through May 10.

Debuting during MLK weekend, the interactive exhibit has a flight stimulator with two seats that allows kids to pretend they’re pilots. There are mazes, stations where they can design paper airplanes, an airport and try on costumes.

Flight stimulator featured in 'Aim High: Soaring with Tuskegee Airmen,' a hands-on exhibit recognizing the efforts of Black fighter pilots during World War II at the Children's Museum of Atlanta Jan. 17-May 10, 2026. (Courtesy of Children's Museum of Atlanta)

“Aim High” is joined by “Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight,” an exhibition organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and its National Air and Space Museum. It features barrier-breaking Black aviators and astronauts Mae Jemison, Bessie Coleman and Ron McNair.

Helmets, accessories, artifacts, photo kiosks, memorabilia and replicas of planes are also on display.

Karen Kelly, exhibits director since 2005, said the installation uses experiential learning to educate children on real-life events.

“This is such an important story that’s very accessible. It ties together their courage, persistence, willingness to take risks, and teaches kids about flight, flying and the science behind it. We want adults to talk with their kids about this history,” Kelly said.

“Aim High” was originally curated by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. In February, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is hosting fireside chats with volunteer pilots from Delta Flight Museum for Black History Month.

“Aim High” is arriving at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta at a time when the current U.S. administration continues to force museums and cultural institutions to remove exhibits and objects that acknowledge diverse communities.

Kelly said the museum stands firm on creating an inclusive environment for all guests.

“We’re a great, diverse society, and we celebrate that. Our children should feel welcomed into any space they go into. They need to feel happy, safe and valued,” Kelly said.

“The Tuskegee Airmen made a difference and helped move the needle in significant ways.”

Photo kiosks and memorabilia are featured in the "Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen" exhibit at the Children's Museum of Atlanta. (Courtesy of Children's Museum of Atlanta)

This isn’t the first time an Atlanta cultural center has acknowledged the efforts of the Tuskegee Airmen.

In 2005, Atlanta History Center had a World War II exhibit featuring workshops for teachers, panel discussions and meet-and-greets with surviving Tuskegee Airmen. Kelly, the center’s then-director of educational programming, planned activities involving the Black servicemen and said they were transparent about their experiences serving in the military.

“They were so aware of their time period and talked about the challenges they faced but also how they overcame them,” Kelly said.

“They were an amazing flight group, never lost a bomber they were escorting, had an entire support team behind them, pushed and got African Americans into flight. It’s important that doesn’t get lost,” Kelly said.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover Jr., center, is flanked by former Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. James Harvey, left, and Lt. Col. George Hardy, right, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., in early August 2021. All three were gathered to honor the airmen on the 30th anniversary of the rocket center's Aviation Challenge program. Harvey, who participated in the inaugural Continental Air Gunnery Meet in 1949, had pressed the Air Force to honor the victory by his team, the 332nd Fighter Group - the unit of the Tuskegee Airmen. (Courtesy of Lee Roop/AL.com)

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is showcasing programming that highlights cultural diversity.