Last spring, 8th graders from iLEAD AV Studio experienced the thrill of their first glider flights as part of the school’s Soaring Aeronautics Project. This initiative aims to answer the fundamental question “How do things fly?” by introducing learners to the principles of flight as described by Newton and Bernoulli.

Through this hands-on project, learners engage in the engineering design process to build and launch their own gliders. They also have the unique opportunity to interact with a full-scale glider, gaining valuable insights into flight controls and aerodynamics directly from experienced glider pilots.

Before taking to the skies, learners hone their flight and navigation skills through preflight training on simulators. The curriculum further enriches their understanding by integrating topics such as the history of flight, the anatomy of birds, current experimental gliders, and meteorology, providing context and meaning to their research and writing.

iLEAD AV Studio extends a special thank-you to iLEAD Student Aerospace Projects and Skylark North Glider Flight School for their invaluable guidance and inspiration to these young aviators.

About iLEAD AV Studio:

iLEAD AV Studio is a free public TK-8 school in Lancaster, CA, that fosters personalized education through project-based learning, social-emotional development, independent critical thinking. Learn more at www.ileadav.org.