Since 2009, Friends and the National Park Service have worked in partnership to deliver sustainable educational programming for grades 4-12. The content of the programming focuses on the events of September 11, 2001, with an emphasis on the Flight 93 Story.
Ranger-guided field trips to the Memorial are offered in the spring and fall of each year. During the 2022 school year,over 10,000 children visited the Memorial through education scholarships provided by the Friends of Flight 93.
Field trips offer a unique learning experience for students of all ages. In the visitor center, students learn about the passenger and crew members, the events of 9/11, and the Flight 93 story through exhibits and displays. Weather and time permitting, students walk to the Memorial Plaza for a ranger-led program. From the plaza, students visit the Wall of Names and pay respect to the forty passengers and crew members. Students can visit the Tower of Voices, the monumental ninety-three-foot-tall musical instrument holding forty wind chimes, representing the forty passengers and crew members.
Virtual programming is offered year-round to students worldwide who wish to learn about the events of September 11 and the Flight 93 story. Through a state-of-the-art distance learning studio, Friends and National Park Service educators can accommodate those unable to visit the memorial. The Friends’website also includes a virtual tour for students to experience the Memorial features remotely.
The Friends’ Scholarship program is funded in part through corporate donations from the Education Improvement Tax Credit Program(EITC) and through donations from businesses and individuals. During the 2021-2022 school year the demand for education scholarships increased dramatically. The Friends funded over $70,000 in scholarships to schools in Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Center, Clearfield, Clarion, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Huntington, Indiana, Jefferson, Somerset, Tioga, and Westmoreland counties.
On Giving Tuesday, The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial asks donors of all types to consider supporting the organization:
*Businesses who participate in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) may consider directing a portion of their EITC allocation to the Friends Scholarship program.
*Corporations may consider directing a portion of their donation dollars to the Friends Scholarship program.
*Individuals may consider directing a portion of their budgeted donations and year-end giving to the Friends Scholarship program.
All donations will help the Friends continue the tradition of supporting school field trips to the Memorial where students learn about the events of September 11, 2001 and the story of Flight 93.
Visit www.flight93friends.org to learn more, and to see the organization’s Giving Tuesday video.
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRIENDS OF FLIGHT 93
