Summer STEM Series Kicks Off with Science Heroes at Old Stanzel Factory

Laughter, learning, and a whole lot of curiosity filled the Old Stanzel Model Aircraft Factory on Monday morning as children and families gathered for the kickoff of the Dale Kirn Summer STEM Series. The event featured The Adventure of the Missing Color, an exciting live science show by Science Heroes that had kids wide-eyed with wonder and clapping for more.

Held from 10 a.m. to noon, the program welcomed children ages 3 to 18 for a morning full of science, exploration, and fun. With three rotating, interactive sessions, families engaged in educational performances and hands-on STEM activities. Science Heroes blended storytelling, science experiments, and high energy performance to teach kids about color, light, air pressure and chemical reactions.

In addition to the show, children explored a wide range of STEM activities, including LEGO building, a marble run, a light explorer pad, paper airplane design, crowd-favorite stomp rockets and even original Stanzel toys designed in the 1960s that still amaze children today. These stations encourage kids to think creatively, build collaboratively, and – most importantly – have fun while learning.

On July 1 and 2, the excitement soared to new heights when the Lone Star Flight Museum brought aviation to life with backto- back programs. Ann Hobing, Senior Director of Education and Community Outreach, guided the students through the science and history of flight – from Bernoulli’s principle to drones and aerospace careers. Participants launched balloon rockets, programmed drone missions, and tested their piloting skills in realistic flight simulators. It was a thrilling experience, and especially meaningful as the hum of aviation filled the old Stanzel factory once again.

The series is held in memory of Dale Kirn, who is internationally recognized for his contributions to model aviation. Dale played a vital role at the Victor Stanzel Company and was instrumental in preserving history through his work at the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum, where many of his restored models are on display. He contributed invaluable historical knowledge and his childlike enthusiasm for all things aviation was the best kind of contagious.

In 2013, the Stanzel Family Foundation established the Dale Kirn Memorial Scholarship, which sent dozens of local students in grades 1–5 to transformative STEM camps over the years. In 2025, the Foundation expanded this program’s impact by bringing STEM presenters directly into the historic Stanzel factory for three days of hands-on, high-impact programming.

“We are very proud that we were able to serve sixty-five local children ranging from preschoolers to high schoolers,” said Cynthia Fogleman, Director of the Stanzel Museum. “We want to continue to inspire and empower the future innovators and leaders of our communities, just as Victor, Joe and Dale did for generations.”

We would like to acknowledge the fact that educational opportunities like these require a great deal of planning and cooperation to ensure a smooth and successful event.

Special thanks go to the following community partners and volunteers: Kristen Graeter Holub – Schulenburg ISD District GT Coordinator/ Makerspace Lab Jeanette Treybig and David McCall – Stanzel Museum Docents Harly Zapalac – Joseph and Victor Stanzel Scholar Riley Zapalac – Wanda Johnson Beaudry Stanzel Scholar Cheryl Pekar – CEO, Stanzel Family Foundation Melanie Ramirez – Program Director, Stanzel Family Foundation Andrea Nunez – Science Heroes Presenter Ann Hobing – Lone Star Flight Museum, Senior Director of Education and Community Outreach