Taking STEM Learning to New Heights: Hubenak Elementary Students Soar with iFly
- LEAF
- Sep 25
- 2 min read
Thanks to a LEAF I-Fly Grant, 162 fifth graders and eight teachers from Hubenak Elementary had the unforgettable opportunity to bring science to life in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel at iFly.
This one-of-a-kind field trip immersed students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) through hands-on experiments, engaging demonstrations, and even a personal flight experience with a certified iFly instructor.

Bringing Force and Motion to Life
Bringing Force and Motion to Life
The program directly connected to the fifth-grade science unit on Force and Motion, giving students a deeper understanding of how physics applies to the world around them. With guidance from highly trained STEM educators, students explored:
Real-world applications of STEM through interactive presentations
Live physics demonstrations in the wind tunnel
Hands-on lab activities, including parachute investigations
Data collection, graphing, and analysis to interpret results
Of course, the highlight for many was the chance to fly in the wind tunnel, experiencing firsthand the power of air pressure and lift!

pact on Students
Impact on Students
The iFly experience inspired curiosity, confidence, and excitement about STEM careers. Students learned how to:
Identify the forces of gravity and air resistance
Plan and carry out investigations
Measure and record data with precision
Analyze results while understanding variability and error in experiments
One challenge—collecting signed waivers from parents—was a small hurdle compared to the overwhelming success of the program.

A Flight Worth Taking Again
A Flight Worth Taking Again
Teachers reported that students were fully engaged before, during, and after the trip, carrying their curiosity back into the classroom with follow-up activities and discussions. The combination of science, technology, and real-world application left a lasting impression.
Would Ms. Luna recommend this experience to others? Absolutely. The iFly STEM program offers an unmatched environment that shows students just how exciting—and fun—STEM can be.
Congratulations to Ms. Luna and the Hubenak Elementary fifth-grade team for using their I-Fly Grant to spark new excitement for learning and launch their students toward future success!
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