The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum has been chosen as a partner in CASA (Cultural After School Adventures) each year since 2006, when the program was started by the New York City Council. The program partners schools with cultural institutions to give children enriching educational experiences during the after-school hours. Over the past 11 years, the Museum has worked with 36 schools, many of them in multiyear relationships, and Museum educators have taught over 3,000 students. Ultimately, CASA helps to address the social and academic needs of students and expands relationships between cultural institutions and the school community.

In each after-school session, our Education Department uses the history of the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid as a catalyst to explore topics that integrate STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and the humanities. STEM subjects played an important role in the construction and function of Intrepid as a ship, floating airport and home to 3,000 men who served on board at any given time during World War II, the Vietnam War and the Space Race.

The ship itself would not have functioned without the teamwork of the crew members, whose stories are woven into each lesson. The program incorporates practical applications of school subjects and hands-on learning, at the school and on trips to the Museum. Museum educators show students that museums are fun, interesting places and that learning is a lifelong process that one never outgrows.

The CASA initiative is funded in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the New York City Council. In particular, we thank the following Council members who are supporting our 11 CASA partnerships this year: Joseph Borelli, Corey Johnson, Eric Ulrich, Elizabeth Crowley, Julissa Ferreras, Vincent Gentile, Jimmy Van Bramer and Rory Lancman.