Learning Takes Flight: Yokosuka Middle School Students Experience a Virtual Tour with the Silent Wings Museum
As part of an immersive Project Based Learning (PBL) unit, 5th grade students in Ms. Besco’s class at Yokosuka Middle School recently embarked on a virtual journey through history, exploring ciphers, codes, and military stealth tactics. Their destination: the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, Texas.
On Oct. 22, 2025, the museum, dedicated to the legacy of World War II glider pilots, provided a unique and engaging experience that aligned perfectly with the students’ exploration of stealth in military operations. Through the virtual tour, students learned how silent gliders were used to transport troops and equipment behind enemy lines, serving as an early example of stealth technology that required precision, bravery, and innovation.
The tour, led by Ms. Tanis Blount, Education and Volunteer Coordinator, and Ms. Sharon McCullar, Museum Curator, was more than just a history lesson. It sparked curiosity and critical thinking as students connected historical tactics to modern-day stealth strategies. They asked insightful questions, examined artifacts including the fully restored CG-4A glider, and discussed how silent flight contributed to the success of covert missions during the war.
Inspired by this history, Ms. Blount challenged the class to design a silent aircraft that could carry heavy loads and land on any terrain—just like the CG-4A glider commissioned by General “Hap” Arnold. Students had to explain how their aircraft flies, what makes it stealthy, and how it handles different environments.
This experience was carefully designed to align with multiple curriculum areas, including social studies, science, and English Language Arts. Students investigated the role of gliders in WWII, connecting historical events to concepts in physics such as silent flight and aerodynamics. They also practiced critical thinking and inquiry skills by analyzing primary sources and asking museum staff thoughtful questions during the live session.
The virtual tour also directly supports DoDEA’s College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS), which emphasize interdisciplinary learning, inquiry-based instruction, and real-world application of knowledge. By engaging in historical analysis, scientific design, and collaborative problem-solving, students demonstrated key competencies such as communication, creativity, and critical thinking. The experience also reflects DoDEA’s commitment to providing globally-minded, student-centered learning opportunities that prepare students for success in a dynamic world.
“The virtual tour brought history to life in a way that textbooks simply can’t,” said Ms. Besco. “It also gave them a chance to engage with real-world experts and deepen their understanding of how history informs technology today. Ms. Blount also shared with our class that she grew up in a military family, lived in Japan, and even attended Department of Defense schools. It was a really cool moment for students to find connections from across the world and learn more about a topic they chose as their unit of study. Students were engaged, curious, and thinking like real-world problem solvers.”
The virtual visit to the Silent Wings Museum served as a powerful extension of the classroom, allowing students to explore beyond textbooks and into the stories of unsung heroes who flew without engines, without fanfare, and often without recognition.
As the PBL unit continues, students will use what they learned to design their own stealth-inspired projects, blending history, science, and creativity in ways that honor the past while imagining the future.
