The word "Docent" derives from a Latin root meaning to teach. For the past one hundred years, docents in Smithsonian museums have been a living link between museum collections and the public. Docents lead visitors toward a deeper understanding of museum artifacts and the history, people, and stories behind them. Visitors come to the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) from many different backgrounds and with diverse interests. Mr. Kent Wang's goal as a volunteer docent is to provide all visitors with an exciting and engaging experience that gives them a new understanding of the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world.
Sharing docents' interests and enthusiasm with visitors young and old, NASM brings many aircraft and spacecraft previously stored at Garber, many never seen before in a museum setting, through tours. Tours for the general public feature objects such as Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer displays up close and at floor level and the unusual World War II Spy Plane, the Westland Lysander IIIA, and other icons of American life. Specialized tours might lead visitors to walk among artifacts on the floor and view hanging aircraft from elevated walkways. Many engines, rockets, satellites, helicopters, airliners, ultra-lights, and experimental flying machines are all on display for the first time in a museum setting. Kent is challenged to work with a high degree of professionalism. Kent represents one of many professions and as an unpaid staff, he joined docent crop as they focus on one common goal...to commemorate, educate, and inspire more effectively using collection in the NASM. Using his skills and talents, Kent helps NASM maintain her showplace for the objects that tell the history of aviation and space flight.
Kent's tours enable adults and students to find delight and understanding in their interaction with hundreds of aircraft, spacecraft, and associated artifacts. He believes visitors learn most effectively when they have repeated encounters with collections. He therefore structure his tours to involve teacher preparation, student preparatory and follow-up activities, multiple visits, and close integration with school curricula. He also strives to create tours and programs for adults that foster an ongoing relationship with the museum and its varied programming. Finally, Kent is dedicated to exploring innovative ways to commemorate, educate, and inspire more effectively using collection in the NASM.
Sharing docents' interests and enthusiasm with visitors young and old, NASM brings many aircraft and spacecraft previously stored at Garber, many never seen before in a museum setting, through tours. Tours for the general public feature objects such as Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer displays up close and at floor level and the unusual World War II Spy Plane, the Westland Lysander IIIA, and other icons of American life. Specialized tours might lead visitors to walk among artifacts on the floor and view hanging aircraft from elevated walkways. Many engines, rockets, satellites, helicopters, airliners, ultra-lights, and experimental flying machines are all on display for the first time in a museum setting. Kent is challenged to work with a high degree of professionalism. Kent represents one of many professions and as an unpaid staff, he joined docent crop as they focus on one common goal...to commemorate, educate, and inspire more effectively using collection in the NASM. Using his skills and talents, Kent helps NASM maintain her showplace for the objects that tell the history of aviation and space flight.Kent's tours enable adults and students to find delight and understanding in their interaction with hundreds of aircraft, spacecraft, and associated artifacts. He believes visitors learn most effectively when they have repeated encounters with collections. He therefore structure his tours to involve teacher preparation, student preparatory and follow-up activities, multiple visits, and close integration with school curricula. He also strives to create tours and programs for adults that foster an ongoing relationship with the museum and its varied programming. Finally, Kent is dedicated to exploring innovative ways to commemorate, educate, and inspire more effectively using collection in the NASM.