Taking its cue from the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center (AHMEC) will launch several space-oriented programs throughout the year, including children's workshops about the Saturn V rocket, life in space, and a mission to Mars.

Additionally, three-week summer programs will focus on topics like how large space is, how faraway the stars and planets are, the challenges of living on Mars, and how powerful the sun is. Participants will learn about outer space via demonstrations, science shows, and hands-on activities.

The first program will be the Girls in Science & Technology Space Program, which will be offered for girls ages 6 to 9 from Monday to Friday, July 15 to 19, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily and for girls ages 10 to 13 from Monday to Friday, July 22 to 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The AHMEC Space Program for boys and girls ages 6 to 12 will run from Monday to Friday, Aug. 5 to 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Every participant will receive a free helicopter ride. All programs will offer child care after the program from 3 to 5 p.m. for an additional fee.

AHMEC will also host its annual Flight School summer program for boys and girls ages 6 to 12. Participants will learn about all things flight via demonstrations, science shows, and hands-on activities. The program will occur on Monday to Friday, Aug. 12 to 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Participants will receive a free helicopter ride. Child care will be available from 3 to 5 p.m. for an additional fee.

The exhibit "Rockets and Rotors" will open on Friday, May 24. Some of the items on display will feature Snoopy from Charles Schulz's "Peanuts."

The museum will celebrate the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with an event on Saturday, July 20.

For more information, contact AHMEC at 610-436-9600 or visit http://www.helicoptermuseum.org/summer-programs.