Question 1

What is the cost of a STEM Flight?

Accepted Answer

STEM Flights is FREE for students.

Question 2

What age group can apply for a STEM Flight?

Accepted Answer

A STEM Flights experience is offered to middle and high school students.  We believe that early exposure to STEM careers can shape future career choices for students.

Question 3

How can I help a student get involved in the STEM Flights program?

Accepted Answer

We recommend that teachers share the online Student Application (https://www.stemflights.org/student-application)link with the student or parent/guardian and encourage them to apply at their earliest convenience. This is the first step toward getting students to receive a free flight experience! In order to expedite the application process, you can also write a letter of recommendation for the student if you feel inclined to do so. Every student is required to submit a letter of recommendation along with their application.

Question 4

Would myself, my school, or my district hold any legal responsibility or liability if sharing your program with our students?

Accepted Answer

No.  All safety, legal responsibility, and liability of the flight is the responsibility of our organization. You (or your school/district) would never be held liable in any way or in any scenario.  We have parents/legal guardians sign a waiver during the application process that ensures liability coverage for the student during their flight.

Question 5

What type of resources or curriculum can you provide for me to use with my students?

Accepted Answer

STEM Flights currently offers four exciting STEM "Missions" that students can choose from and within those missions, there are resources and aviation information available for your use.  Click to see the STEM Missions (https://www.stemflights.org/)currently available.  We also provide a large library of educator resources (https://www.stemflights.org/educatorresources)in our STEM Flight Following database that are free for you to use!  New in 2024, download our FREE lesson plan (https://www.stemflights.org/lesson-plans)to use in your classroom.

Question 6

Does STEM Flights have any third party accreditation?

Accepted Answer

STEM Flights is verified by STEM.org (https://bit.ly/2IHYkM2)as an Accredited Educational Experience. STEM Flights is also a corporate member of the National Science Teachers Association (https://www.nsta.org/)(NSTA).  We are also a proud member of the Air Care Alliance (ACA), Experimental Aircraft Association, Airplane Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and Women in Aviation International (WAI).

Question 7

How is STEM Flights funded?

Accepted Answer

Private family foundations, grants, individual donors, and corporate sponsors. If you know an organization that would like to partner or support STEM Flights, we would love to meet them.

Question 8

Can I take a STEM flight myself?

Accepted Answer

We do offer a select amount of flights per year for educators based on volunteer Pilot Mentor availability.  Educators are also required to download and use our FREE Lesson Plan (https://www.stemflights.org/lesson-plans)in the classroom prior to requesting a flight experience.   Once you have received the lesson plan, simply email stemedu@stemflights.org (mailto:stemedu@stemflights.org)to request a flight. Please include your school information in the request.

Question 9

Do you offer professional development for teachers?

Accepted Answer

Currently, we do not offer PD options, but our team is always eager to speak with educators, staff, or district leaders by way of a virtual conference in order to share more information about our organization and answer any questions you have! Please reach out to info@stemflights.org in order to schedule a time for us to meet with staff or leaders in your school or district.

Question 10

Can I bring my class to the airport for a field trip/group mission with a mentor pilot?

Accepted Answer

Please reach out to your local airport to coordinate field trips and tours. Most airports have community outreach and education initiatives and love to have student visitors.  If we have an available Pilot Mentor in your city, we can connect you directly with him/her to inquire about facilitating a tour or event.

Question 11

How are Pilot Mentors vetted and trained? Do you have background checks in place to protect minors?

Accepted Answer

All STEM Flights Pilot Mentors must pass a rigid background screening and submit licenses, registrations, insurance documents, and pass our training course in order to fly students. Pilots are vetted internally and approved on an individual basis. Pilot Mentors also follow our Youth Policy (https://www.stemflights.org/_files/ugd/f0954f_0032a42caedf41eb8c08daa53539baee.pdf)which clearly defines regulations of youth programming. We involve parents/guardians every step of the way and communication and meetings only happen with a STEM Flights staff member or parent present. STEM Flights does not accept or use youth contact information.

For Students

Apply for a STEM Flight >

STEM Missions >

STEM Flight Following™ >

Merch Store >

For Pilots

Pilot Mentor Application >

Pilot Mentor Training and Forms >

Request a Student Mission

Find Available Students In Your Area

Close Your Mission/File Mission Report

FAQ for Pilots >

Merch Store >

For Educators

FAQ for Educators >

Resources

In the News >

Annual Report 2025 >

Merch Store >

FAQ for Educators

Educators are a key part of our program! Teachers are encouraged to nominate interested students for participation in a STEM Flights experience.