West Mercer 1st Graders Visit Museum of Flight Through MISF Grant

Five West Mercer first graders standing in front of a airplane at the Museum of Flight.

Mercer Island, WA, March 4, 2026 – West Mercer first graders visited the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field on Thursday, February 26, through a grant from the Mercer Island Schools Foundation (MISF).

Students were able to make observations of airplanes, spacecraft, and flight technology. 

“It was fun to listen to students describe the similarities and differences of planes throughout history,” said West Mercer first grader teacher Kayle Ngazimbi. “They were asking so many good questions about how designs changed over time.

The Foundation grant covered the cost for all first graders at West Mercer to visit the Museum of Flight.

Students also explored the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery and made connections about how spacecraft and astronomy tools are used to help scientists study the sky.

“I enjoyed watching my students explore the space gallery,” said West Mercer first grade teacher Kelly Flaherty. “Their eyes lit up as they connected the sun, moon and stars to the patterns we study in our own science curriculum.” 

MISF is a 501(c)(3) public service, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and improving the quality of education provided to ALL Mercer Island School District students by obtaining contributions for the District’s six schools.

Founded in 1981, MISF has raised over $32 million thanks to our generous community.

Since its founding, the Foundation has become the catalyst for the Mercer Island community to guarantee every teacher has access to the most up-to-date, innovative educational materials that guarantee exceptional teaching and learning experiences for every student.

The tremendous success of the organization lies in the simple fact that the Mercer Island Schools Foundation was born in a community that places value on quality education. Learn more about the impact of our community’s commitment to education.