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WINGS OF EAGLES DISCOVERY CENTER
HORSEHEADS, NY · EIN 222462926 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE A540 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · wingsofeagles.com
revenue
$128K
expenses
$150K
net assets
$176K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

TO PROVIDE EXHIBITS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS REGARDING AVIATION HISTORY IN THE UNITED STATES.

profile · synthesized from sources

Wings of Eagles Discovery Center is a museum and educational institution in Horseheads, NY, dedicated to preserving aviation history and providing STEM-focused learning experiences. The center features a collection of historic aircraft, engines, and flight simulators, and offers on-site and e-learning programs for students and educators. Its exhibits highlight key figures and innovations in U.S. aviation, with a focus on aerospace technology and science education.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs (BBEP)
STEM+Ag curriculum for educators focusing on biofuels, biopower, sustainability, and systems thinking, supported by USDA and university partners
Escape Rooms & Mars Habitat
Immersive experiential learning environments simulating space missions and problem-solving challenges
Project-Based Learning Programs
Hands-on educational experiences integrating aviation and aerospace themes into STEM curriculum for students
Science On a Sphere
Interactive exhibit using spherical display technology to visualize atmospheric, oceanic, and space science phenomena
Summer Programs 2024
Seasonal educational camps and activities for youth centered on aviation and science topics
e-Learning Programs
Virtual STEM missions including Cyber Surgeons, Hurricane Alert, Moon Mars & Beyond, Operation Montserrat, and Space Station Alpha
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Aviation-Integrated STEM Education 3 activities
    • Delivering STEM and S.T.E.A.M. education programs for K–12 students
      Provides formal and informal STEM/S.T.E.A.M. education programs for K–12 students, including project-based learning, summer camps, Saturday programs, after-school activities, and in-school or outreach field trips. Programs use aviation and aerospace themes to teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and prevocational skills.
    • Hosting interactive e-Mission and e-learning programs
      Offers simulated, video-conferenced e-Mission activities where student teams respond to crises using STEM knowledge, and provides e-learning programs such as Cyber Surgeons, Hurricane Alert, Moon Mars & Beyond, Operation Montserrat, and Space Station Alpha to support remote STEM education.
    • Providing flight simulation and hands-on visitor experiences
      Offers one-on-one flight simulator experiences using Microsoft Flight Simulator software and operates Mars Mission-themed escape rooms to engage visitors in immersive aerospace learning activities.
  • Historic Aviation and Transportation Museums 2 activities
    • Operating a public aviation museum with historic exhibits
      Operates a 25,000 square foot hangar museum open to the public on weekends and seasonally, featuring a collection of military aircraft from World War II to the present, aircraft engines, missiles, flight simulators, and thematic exhibits including the Grumman TBM-3E Avenger, Bessie Coleman, the Tuskegee Airmen, and Mars Base Eagle. Offers self-guided and audio-guided tours of its collections.
    • Staging annual airshows and public events
      Staged the annual Wings of Eagles Airshow featuring historic warbird flights as part of its public programming and community engagement.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • Hosting Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs (BBEP)
      Hosts the Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs (BBEP) at its facility, integrating bioenergy topics into its educational offerings.
  • Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
    • Offering guided tours and group programs
      Provides guided tours for student and adult groups of 1 to 30 people, including field trip programs that can be hosted at the center or delivered on-site at schools and homeschool groups.
  • Public Astronomy & Space Science Education 1 activity
    • Operating Science On a Sphere and related educational displays
      Uses a six-foot diameter spherical display (Science On a Sphere) to present animated programs on astronomy, renewable energy, population growth, oceans, and weather. Develops interactive educational content around this technology for youth programs on weekends and during summer.
  • STEM Competition and Robotics Programs 1 activity
    • Providing professional development for educators
      Offers professional development programs for teachers focused on renewable energy and space exploration topics to support STEM education.
  • Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
    • Supporting special events and facility operations
      Manages admissions, gift shop services, building and grounds maintenance, and supports special events and dinners through setup and teardown. Operates the facility Fridays through Sundays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, with expanded hours from March through November.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$128K
Contributions & grants$65K51%
Program service revenue$54K42%
Investment income$4K3%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$150K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$40K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$224K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$176K
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -6.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 10
  • BILL CANTANDO — BOARD MEMBER
  • CYNTHIA HAIGH — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAVID GENITZ — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAVID HARKNESS — BOARD MEMBER
  • FRANK LAVIOLA — BOARD MEMBER
  • KAREN MACCARTNEY — BOARD MEMBER
  • MAUREEN NICOLO — BOARD MEMBER
  • MICHELLE BEILING — BOARD MEMBER
  • NICOLE BURT — BOARD MEMBER
  • TRACY YAFFE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 35

Who they work with

  • 501(c)(3) Government — Accredited 501(c)(3) organization
  • 501(c)(3) Government — Accredited nonprofit organization recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
  • AAA Partner — Offers discounted admission to AAA members.
  • AAA Partner — Offers discounted admission to members.
  • Association of Science and Technology Centers Network — Member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC).
  • Association of Science and Technology Centers Network — Participates in the ASTC Passport Program, offering reciprocal admission benefits.
  • Boyce Thompson Institute Partner — Collaborates as part of the Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs (BBEP) network.
  • Challenger Learning Center in Wheeling, WV Partner — Provides e-Learning programs in the form of e-Missions through a partnership with Challenger Learning Center.
  • Chemung Canal Trust Company Partner — Jody Scott, Branch Manager for Chemung Canal Trust Company, serves as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees.
  • Corning Museum of Glass Partner — Has a reciprocity agreement allowing free admission for members of the Corning Museum of Glass.
  • Corning Museum of Glass Partner — Has a reciprocity agreement allowing free admission for members.
  • Corning Museum of Glass Partner — Offers free admission to members through a partnership agreement.
  • Delaware State University Partner — Collaborates as part of the Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs (BBEP) network.
  • EAA Partner — Offers discounted admission to members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).
  • EAA Partner — Offers discounted admission to members.
  • EcoComplex at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Partner — Collaborates as part of the Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs (BBEP) network.
  • Elmira College Partner — Todd Egan, faculty member at Elmira College, serves as Secretary on the Board of Trustees.
  • Farmers Support Farmers (AIM) Partner — Michelle Beiling, Program Director for Farmers Support Farmers (AIM), serves as a Board Member.
  • GST BOCES Government — Don Keddell, former GST BOCES Board of Directors member, serves as Trustee Emeritus.
  • Horseheads School District Partner — Collaborates on an after-school program with transportation provided from district schools to the center.
  • NOAA Government — Source of the Science On a Sphere technology and content, developed by NOAA for environmental education.
  • NY state Amistad Commission Partner — Collaborates with the NY state Amistad Commission to feature exhibits on Bessie Coleman and the Tuskegee Airmen.
  • National Museum of the Marine Corps Partner — Provides aircraft on loan to Wings of Eagles Discovery Center for public display.
  • National Museum of the US Air Force Partner — Provides aircraft on loan to Wings of Eagles Discovery Center for public display.
  • National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, FL Partner — Lends aircraft to Wings of Eagles Discovery Center for public display.
  • Pennsylvania State University Partner — Collaborates as part of the Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs (BBEP) network.
  • Tioga School District Partner — Karen MacCartney, a teacher in the Tioga School District, serves as a Board Member.
  • Tri-State Workshop with OBIC-Ohio State, Purdue and Michigan State Partner — Collaborates as part of the Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs (BBEP) network.
  • U.S. Army Government — Owns and provides aircraft on loan to Wings of Eagles Discovery Center.
  • US Air Force Government — Owns and provides aircraft on loan to Wings of Eagles Discovery Center.
+ 5 more
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Education Through Historical Artifacts and Chronological Exhibits
    methodology: historical_exhibition_education
    By displaying historically significant aircraft and chronologically arranging aviation technology, we teach the evolution of aerospace innovation and honor military service, because tangible artifacts and narrative progression make abstract technological and historical concepts concrete and relatable.
  • Experiential STEM Learning Through Simulation and Project-Based Activities
    methodology: experiential_stem_learning
    By engaging students in simulated crisis-response missions and project-based learning centered on aerospace challenges, we develop STEM and critical thinking skills, because experiential, real-world problem solving deepens understanding and inspires sustained interest in science and sustainability.
  • Licensed Educator-Led, Hands-On STEM Instruction
    methodology: licensed_educator_led_stem
    By using licensed educational professionals to deliver hands-on, interactive STEM programming, we foster student engagement and inspire long-term interest in science, because qualified instructors are better equipped to facilitate meaningful, pedagogically sound learning experiences.
  • Thematic and Integrated S.T.E.A.M. Education Using Aviation and Space Contexts
    methodology: thematic_steam_education
    By using aviation and space technology as thematic anchors and integrating historical context with scientific content, we enhance student engagement and understanding in S.T.E.A.M. learning, because real-world, culturally relevant narratives make abstract concepts more accessible and memorable.
  • Visualization-Based Scientific Literacy
    methodology: visualization_based_education
    By using immersive visualization tools like Science On a Sphere, we teach complex scientific data such as planetary and environmental systems, because dynamic visual representations improve comprehension of abstract and large-scale phenomena.