Cradle of Aviation teams with National Geographic Society

The Cradle of Aviation Museum is partnering with the National Geographic Society to expand its educational offerings, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced Wednesday.

"This public-private partnership . . . will allow us to offer new opportunities for school children and [other] visitors," Mangano said.

The Cradle of Aviation will become one of only seven museums in the country to partner with the society. Under the arrangement, the National Geographic's vast library of films can be tapped for screenings in the museum's giant-screen Dome Theater, and Nassau residents will have access to special exhibits and speakers.

"We need to support all the upgrades of this theater, especially with a great science and educational organization like National Geographic," said Karin Campbell, a 10-year board member of the Westbury School District.

Westbury students, as well as some from Uniondale, Elmont and Copiague, attended the showing of a new National Geographic dinosaur film, "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure."

Ivan Gonzales, 13, a seventh-grader from the Copiague district, said it was his first visit to the museum. "But I'd like to come back," he said.

Mark Katz, head of distribution for National Geographic Cinema Ventures, said the partnership "allows us to come up with new ideas for informal learning, making education and learning exciting and inspirational."

There is no cost to Nassau taxpayers from the museum partnership, officials said.