SEATTLE, July 20, 2016--At a luncheon ceremony held on July 15 at The Museum of Flight, Wells Fargo announced a new educational commitment--with a grant of $30,000--to The Museum of Flight, specifically for the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS)--a combined online and onsite educational program designed to boost high school students' STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) proficiency as well as their teamwork and business skills.

"We couldn't be more pleased to deepen our commitment to The Museum of Flight's educational programs with this new investment in Washington Aerospace Scholars," stated Mary Knell,
Wells Fargo Commercial Banking CEO for Washington and Western Canada. "This forward-looking program, in which teams devise plans to launch and return human crews to and from Mars, puts tomorrow's aerospace leaders in vital decision-making roles today. Wells Fargo understands how critical the aerospace sector is to the economic health of our region, and we are proud to help support those who will shape our future."

Accepting a $30,000 check from Wells Fargo, Danielle Yoakum Tilden, President of Washington Aerospace Scholars, emphasized, "Wells Fargo's generous grant ensures the health of the WAS program while validating its central role in the robust continuum of educational pathways at The Museum of Flight. To have the 'seal of approval' of such a respected business leader as Wells Fargo is invaluable to our work with these youths."

Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) is a dual-phase program specifically designed for high school juniors. The program focuses on topics related to the history and future exploration of space by NASA as well as topics in Earth and space science. WAS gives high school juniors a chance to earn college credits at the University of Washington--giving them an academic edge when applying for colleges. This engaging opportunity allows students to connect with professional engineers, NASA scientists, university students, educators and business leaders. The project based learning environment allows students to collaborate with like-minded peers to design hypothetical missions to Mars. Beyond education, WAS helps students build confidence and develop leadership and problem-solving skills in a team-oriented, fun atmosphere.

Wells Fargo's new investment is in addition to the financial services company's longstanding Wells Fargo Free First Thursday support, which underwrites the Museum's ability to offer free admission one evening a month to economically underserved families. The gift to WAS is also part of The Museum of Flight Campaign--Inspiration Begins Here! This $77 million, multi-year comprehensive effort is designed to preserve the Museum's world-class collection, enhance its dynamic, interactive visitor experience, deepen its immersive STEM educational programs, and strengthen its operational sustainability.

Wells Fargo has 3,700 team members in Washington who serve customers through a network of 233 banking, mortgage and investment offices, and 235 ATMs. In 2015, Wells Fargo invested $3.5 million in Washington nonprofits and schools and its team members personally donated $1.3 million and recorded 31,000 volunteer hours.

Image: Danielle Yoakum Tilden, President of Washington Aerospace Scholars (on left) and Mary Knell, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking CEO for Washington and Western Canada (on right).
Credit: The Museum of Flight, Seattle.



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Founded in 1965, the independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, serving more than 560,000 visitors annually. The Museum's collection includes more than 160 historically significant airplanes and spacecraft, from the first fighter plane (1914) to today's 787 Dreamliner. Attractions also include the original Boeing Company factory, and the world's only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museum's aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 150,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum's on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field halfway between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission for adults is $23 on-site and $21 online. Youth 5 through 17 are $14 on-site and $13 online, youth 4 and under are free. Seniors 65 and over $19 on-site and $18 online. Groups of ten or more: $21 per adult, $13 per youth, Thanks to Wells Fargo, on the first Thursday of every month, admission is free from 5 to 9 p.m. And parking is always free. There is a full lunch menu café in the Museum and a limited menu café in the Aviation Pavilion, both operated by McCormick & Schmick's. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org



2016 Boeing Centennial Exhibits
The Museum of Flight draws upon its unrivaled collection of Boeing aircraft, artifacts, images and documents to present The Boeing Company story during the year of its centennial, 2016. The Museum-wide Boeing recognition will be enhanced with public lectures, films and other presentations that focus on Seattle and popular culture during the past century.

Ted Huetter
Senior Public Relations Manager
206.455.5360



Rachel Dreeben
Associate Manager, Marketing and Communications
206.768.7201