Our STEM MissionOur STEM MissionOur STEM MissionElevating Futures: Youth in STEM Take Flight at SoCal Soaring Academy
Unlocking undiscovered potentialLaunching Potential
Soaring Academy gets students at the junior high and high school level excited about the practical real-world applications of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
We bring a full size glider on the road and assemble it on school campuses, along with our team of flight instructors, to inspire learning.
These students learn about aeronautics and the parts of a glider in an up close and personal way, making math and science come to life, while demystifying aviation.
By working together, we create a program that will accomplish classroom goals. Educators take what they’ve learned and go back into the classroom and use these concepts to make math, science and history really interesting for their students. Teachers who partner with us receive instructional flights, to deepen their understanding.
STEMIn collaboration with public, private and home schoolers as well as other community organizations, we offer individualized learning to teachers and parents of home schoolers to deepen their understanding of aviation, aeronautics and STEM topics.
“The impact of directly experiencing scientific and engineering principles in action cannot be overstated; how could this be any more clear than using and trusting these ideas to fly through the air to great height and distance, only by harvesting energy from the natural environment using your smarts and courage.The Glider-STEM outreach at SCSA is exactly what can spark and fan the flames of scientific curiosity and adventure, changing the trajectory, career, and life of a young student. I sincerely wish I had started flying earlier in my life and see now why so many astronauts have been inspired by gliders.”
PhD, Eagle Scout, Professor of Applied Physics Cal Tech,
Glider Pilot, specializing in Cross Country Flying
“You have inspired us to become something better in the future. I want to become an aeronautical engineer and this experience has helped me put concrete ideas to this dream.”
Unlocking undiscovered potentialFlying gliders incites excitement in STEM. It involves math, physics, meteorology, planning, operations and teamwork. Soloing at age 14 gives students maturity far beyond their years and opens horizons.
— Jim Payne
Test Pilot of the year 2018 Guinness World Records 2000, 2005, 2019 / Chief Pilot for Perlan Project and Nixus Project
Soaring Academy exposes young teens to aviation and STEM, through hands on experiences with gliders. Students ask questions and learn from our team of experts, who are also members of other nationally known aviation organizations such as, The Perlan Project and NASA.
The entire process culminates in an instructional glider flight where all the students come out to our field, for a group flying event.
High fives, smiles and camaraderie abound during these events. Fears are overcome, dreams begin to percolate and for some the ambition toward an aviation career becomes a reality.
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“Many people fly as passengers, but few will ever take the controls of an aircraft; so, imagine the thrill to be a 13, 14 or 15 year old scout and be allowed to fly with a glider pilot and take control of the aircraft in-flight. It’s a vivid and unforgettable lesson in physics, the joy of aviation, the beauty of the natural world, the importance of trustworthiness and the rewards of personal bravery.”
Attorney at Law
Assistant Scout Master Troop 507 La Canada, CA
Inspiring the next generation of leaders, innovators and creators.
Aerospace and Aviation career paths often start with an impetus from a role model or an up close personal experience like a soaring flight.
What better way to fan the flames of curiosity and inspire the next generation!
Please make sure to check out our VETERANS mission (see below)!
WITH YOUR HELP
Over 800 kids flown and over 10,000 exposed to the glider on campus.
Giving backOur Veteran Mission
Veterans dealing with PTS and other debilitating injuries converge at our airfield once a month, for an adrenaline filled flight and private day of recreation. All branches of the military participate.
Flight SchoolOur Flight School
Pilots who know agree that early glider training is the best way to begin any serious flying career.
