Within any curriculum, students are exposed to many theories and essential knowledge to expand their educational horizons. However, it can be very difficult for some students to see the real world application of the material being delivered in their classrooms. The STEM shuttle provided a great hands-on, real-world application of what they are learning in class.
This experience landed home with our students to help them better understand the “why” behind the core knowledge they are obtaining each day in class. Knowing how their in-class experiences connect to current real-world issues helps them drill deeper and enriches their learning experience.
Our students left their shuttle mission with a great understanding of the science and daily principles guiding our daily actions (locally and globally).
In the end, understanding the why behind their curricular studies connects the classroom to their lives. It provides physical examples of how material presented in class does have application and importance to the world around them.
Thank you so much for allowing Melrose-Mindoro this amazing experience. Our students had an experience well beyond our expectations thanks to your knowledgeable staff.
— Principal Corey Peterson, Melrose (WI) Elementary School
Demo For Nick
Welcome Aboard!
With the return of US astronauts being sent into space on board US built space vehicles, plus the landing of the Mars Rover, there is a renewed excitement about exploring the universe.
Combining space travel and STEM, students in the upper elementary and middle schools are once again being challenged by the shuttle’s hands-on workstations.
All participating students take part in the hands-on activities (10 students at a time in each of the 5 sessions during the school day).
The students are guided through the workstations by two veteran on-board teachers.
Upcoming STEM Shuttle Missions:
* Mercer Public School on Sept. 8
* Washington Elementary in WI Rapids on Sept. 14
* Holy Rosary Catholic School in Medford on Sept. 20
• St. Peter in Schofield on Oct. 5
The STEM Shuttle is back to its primary mission, motivating students to learn.
The first STEM Shuttle mission of the Fall season is to Mercer, WI. The shuttle and its three-person crew will dock at the Mercer Public School on Wednesday, Sept. 8.
The following week, the shuttle docks at Washington Elementary in Wisconsin Rapids on Sept. 14.
Then the crew heads to Holy Rosary Catholic School in Medford on Monday, September September 20.
If you are interested in bringing the STEM Shuttle to your school or event, please call or text 715-845-6392, or email stemshuttle@gmail.com.
Hello, Newman: Shuttle Ends School Year in Wausau
A “goodies” basket from the cooks at the Newman Catholic Middle School greeted the STEM Shuttle crew upon their arrival at the school Tuesday morning, May 25, not to mention the wonderful lunch that followed later.
Also waiting for the crew were gifted students and teachers. It was another successful shuttle mission to Newman. Stephanie Luisier, from the Wausau Mayor’s office, observed the students and teachers as they went through the hands-on work stations. Stephanie was a student on the very first Dream Flight Wausau shuttle event.
Following the shuttle mission, Jeff Gress, a 6th grade teacher at the school, wrote: …A big “thank you” to you and the crew. Our students had a great time and this is always so well organized – A WONDERFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE! Thanks again.
The crew for the mission was Teachers Sandy Smith and Sharon Ryan, and Shuttle Pilot Dennis Cihlar. A grant to the Dream Flight USA Foundation by the Connexus Credit Union covered the costs of this shuttle mission. Click here to view photos from the Newman Catholic Middle School Mission.
Shuttle Returns to Stevens Point
Students at the St. Peter Middle School in Stevens Point met the challenges of the hands-on workstation on board the STEM Shuttle on Thursday, May 20. This was the shuttle’s second visit to Stevens Point within a month.
Crew members included Teachers Sue Bushman and Sandy Smith, along with Shuttle Pilot/photographer Tom Rath. All members of the crew live in Stevens Point.
The STEM Shuttle mission was made possible by a grant to the Dream Flight USA Foundation by the Connexus Credit Union. The Foundation, which owns and operates the shuttle, is located in Wausau, WI.
Click here to view photos from the St. Peter Middle School Mission.
Shuttle Travels to Blessed Sacrament in La Crosse
Dream Flight USA STEM Shuttle operations took place at the Blessed Sacrament School in La Crosse, WI on Tuesday, May 11.
It was a very busy day with the crew hosting students in groups of 10 every 40 minutes. The hands-on workstations were sanitized between groups, and masks were worn by all.
Teachers on this mission were Sue Bushman and Sharon Ryan, and the Shuttle Pilot was Dennis Cihlar. Blessed Sacrament teachers also participated in the day.
Click here to view photos from the Blessed Sacrament Mission.
First May Mission Placed in Melrose
The third STEM Shuttle mission of the Spring, and the first May mission, took place on Friday, May 7 in Melrose, WI. The shuttle docked at the Melrose-Mindoro Elementary School.
The crew reported a fantastic mission with great teachers and staff. Sandy Smith and Sharon Ryan were the Teachers on this mission, and Tom Rath was the Pilot/Photographer.
Click here to view photos from the Melrose Mission.
Shuttle Missions Resume in Stevens Point, Cazenovia
For the first time since the pandemic stopped the world in its tracks, the Dream Flight USA STEM Shuttle resumed operations.
On Monday, April 26, the shuttle docked at St. Stephen School in Stevens Point, WI. In addition to St. Stephen students, the shuttle crew welcomed classes from St. Bronislava School in Plover. A grant to the Dream Flight USA Foundation from the Connexus Credit Union covered the costs of the shuttle mission.
Click here to view photos from the St. Stephen Mission.
On Thursday, April 29, the STEM Shuttle docked at the Weston Elementary School in Cazenovia, WI. The shuttle mission was really outstanding as the students were engaged and wanted to learn. Great teachers were really into the hands-on learning and Principal Jason Meyer was on the shuttle throughout the day.Click here to view photos from the Weston Mission.
Connexus Cares Committee Donation
A select number of schools in Stevens Point, Wausau, and Wisconsin Rapids will be taking advantage of a generous donation from the Connexus Credit Union. With the donation, the STEM Shuttle will visit schools in each of those communities this Spring and coming Fall.
So more students can experience the hands-on work stations on board the unique shuttle, we encourage other businesses throughout Wisconsin to follow suit by donating to the Dream Flight USA Foundation. Please contact us for information: Call or text 715-845-6392, or email stemshuttle@gmail.com.
Shuttle Mission Planning
For now, the number of students on board the shuttle during each session will be limited to 10. The hands-on work stations will be cleaned between each session.
Our shuttle crews have been busy working out daily class schedules for the schools we’ll be visiting this Spring. In addition to scheduling class sizes and times, arrival and departure times are coordinated with the schools so the shuttle doesn’t interfere with school buses and parents transporting the students to and from school.
Trevor Benjamin, pictured with the STEM Shuttle in 2015 in Oshkosh, WI, also uses aviation as a tool to excite students about careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Above: Photo of Sharon’s ZOOM chat with Trevor Benjamin and his students in Trinidad.
Shuttle Zooms To Trinidad
In our first ever ZOOM event, we visited with Senior Instructor Trevor Benjamin and his class at the Aviation Campus of the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
Mr. Benjamin is the former chairman of the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of of Manitoba and a Masters in aviation management for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fl.
Sharon Ryan, the creator the Dream Flight USA Foundation and the STEM Shuttle program, introduced the class to the workings and goals of the Dream Flight USA STEM Shuttle. While the two educators had never met before the ZOOM meeting, both Sharon and Trevor share the same philosophy of using aviation and space to excite students about STEM.
Trevor first learned of the STEM Shuttle 5 years ago during the annual EAA Air Venture in Oshkosh. Since then, we have remained in contact via emails and this newsletter. Trevor often communicated his desire to bring his
students to Wisconsin to see, in person, the the operations on-board the mobile classroom.
Funding for the visit wasn’t in the cards so, two weeks ago, Trevor invited us to join his class via ZOOM. We immediately accepted.
We must admit, our dream is to bring the STEM Shuttle to Trinidad. There’s that funding issue again.
For a list of other previous missions and photos, please visit our Schedule/Missions page.