WEST CHESTER, PA — Helicopters will roar overhead, drones will buzz through the air, and young engineers will test homemade gliders and lunar landers as STEMFest lands in Chester County for a weekend dedicated to hands-on discovery.
Hosted by the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center, the two-day event transforms the museum’s West Chester campus into an interactive science playground designed to spark curiosity in aviation, engineering, robotics, and technology.
Replacing the museum’s longtime FamilyFest celebration, STEMFest expands the experience into a larger science-focused event packed with demonstrations, competitions, live presentations, food trucks, and opportunities for kids to learn directly from pilots, scientists, and STEM professionals.
Learning That Takes Flight
Throughout the weekend, families can explore tabletop activities, interactive exhibits, and live science programming while getting an up-close look at the technology shaping the future of aviation and engineering.
Saturday’s highlights include helicopter rides, a glider-building competition, and a “Meet a Pilot” panel featuring groundbreaking aviators such as Diane Dowd, the first woman to become a helicopter pilot with the National Guard, and Erin Murphy, a Boeing 787 pilot who also flies animal rescue missions for the SPCA.
Visitors can also learn about radio-controlled aviation from the Chester County Radio Control Club, observe the sun with the Chester County Astronomical Society, and explore hands-on exhibits from organizations including the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science and the Civil Air Patrol.
From Lunar Landers to LEGO Engineering
Sunday shifts focus to new STEM challenges, including a lunar lander egg drop competition where participants design protective spacecraft for a gravity-defying challenge.
The day will also feature science presentations from the Academy of Natural Sciences, aviation Q&A sessions with airline professionals, and a hands-on self-defense science workshop for children.
Families can additionally explore exhibits from Snapology, robotics organizations, martial arts groups, aviation experts, and LEGO builders throughout the museum grounds.
More Than a Museum Visit
Organizers say the event is designed to inspire the next generation of innovators by making STEM subjects interactive, approachable, and fun.
Alongside the educational programming, visitors can enjoy food trucks, music, demonstrations, and opportunities to explore one of the world’s largest collections of rotorcraft at the American Helicopter Museum.
Event Details
- What: STEMFest 2026 at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center
- When: Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, 2026, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Where: American Helicopter Museum & Education Center, 1220 American Blvd., West Chester, PA 19380
- Cost/Tickets: Free for members; pre-registration requested; discounts available for two-day tickets; helicopter rides available for an additional fee
- More Info: http://www.helicoptermuseum.org/event-details/stemfest-2026-2026-05-30-10-00
Whether building rockets, talking with pilots, or testing engineering skills firsthand, STEMFest aims to show local families that science and technology can be every bit as exciting as they are educational.
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