The iFLY STEM Program Elevates Education

The exhilarating iFLY STEM program is for anyone looking for the premier STEM experience.

STEM represents 6.6% of all the jobs in the United States and is expected to employ 11.3 million people by 2030. Occupations within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines have grown 79% since 1990. However, the National Math & Science Initiative found that, at most, 36% of students are ready to tackle college-level science courses. Austin, Texas-based family entertainment business iFLY Indoor Skydiving strives to elevate those statistics by getting students excited to learn about these subjects. CEO Matt Ryan said the company runs weekly STEM classes at its 33 locations nationwide. "We are excited to welcome thousands of students every year," said Ryan. "We reckon it's the coolest field trip out there."

Indeed, the comprehensive iFLY STEM program makes the dream of flight a reality for students. It gets them charged up to learn about physical science concepts, such as force, motion, and velocity, and is 100% aligned with national and state math and science standards. Christopher Barrett, president of the retail division, confirmed that the STEM program comprises 5% to 10% of the business with plenty of room to grow. "We currently host and fly 100,000 students per year and expect that to triple within three years," stated Barrett.

The awe-inspiring educational curriculum excels over any other science class or field trip by giving students a hands-on opportunity to experience physical science concepts in action inside one of iFLY's leading-edge wind tunnels. (Check out this YouTube video to see the magic of the STEM experience.)

The Groundbreaking STEM Program Is Designed for Everyone

The iFLY STEM program is managed by Michelle Brumley, who was an aerospace physiologist in the Air Force for 11 years, where she traveled the world and trained aircrew to avoid the potential hazards of high-altitude, high-speed, and long-duration flights. After concluding her service in the Air Force, Brumley taught middle school science in Colorado before joining iFLY.

Her team is responsible for expanding the STEM curriculum and adding to the already 100 iFLY STEM educators, who have a wide array of STEM teaching backgrounds. In addition to many former schoolteachers, some of the iFLY educators are engineers who previously worked at or with NASA, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin.

The iFLY STEM program works with traditional public and private schools, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, home-school networks, and many more.

iFLY Is Passionate About the Science of Flight

So what drives the STEM program? "It is a passion of ours," said Barrett. "Flight is a very complicated element of physics. This program breaks it down in grade-appropriate lessons for elementary, middle, and high school students.

"Our highly trained STEM educators work closely with our flight instructors to demonstrate the concepts learned in class using our state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel," adds Barrett. "The learning comes full circle as students zip into a flight suit and apply that knowledge to their own flight in the wind."

One of the most popular demonstrations involves pouring a pitcher of water into the wind, which transforms the wind tunnel into what looks like a snow globe. Students witness science in action because when liquid is released inside the wind tunnel, it spreads and attaches to the nearest air molecule and hovers right in front of their eyes. Barrett stated that the educational program is "not just throwing students in the tunnel. They actually get to see real world applications of math and science concepts. Then they get the experience of their own flight. Hopefully, that inspires them to chase down something in that arena."

The program lasts about three hours, the length of a standard school field trip. However, that's where the similarities end for the STEM course, which is typically held mornings Monday through Friday.

Ryan stated that the company "ensures the program is educationally relevant and supports what teachers are already covering in their classrooms." He added, "What really sets us apart is how engaged and excited the students are to actually experience the science concepts instead of just hearing about them."

In addition to flying one-on-one with a certified, world-class flight instructor, students participate in an interactive presentation of ways STEM is utilized in the real world, watch unique physics demonstrations, conduct immersive experiments and lab activities, and, depending on their age, measure and record data while learning how to interpret results.

The company opened in 1998 to allow people to experience the freedom of flying. It also believes that this science-based service is an exciting growth opportunity. Barrett said, "IFLY does a ton of work with Title 1 schools. The instructors are passionate about the program. Plus, it allows the company to give back a little to our communities."

Since the launch of the iFLY STEM program, over 15,000 organizations and more than 400,000 students have participated. It's a soaring step in the right direction for the industry's future. And the company invites everyone to schedule a date to experience the thrill of flying while learning about the physics that make it all possible.