STEM and Gliding

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) is the umbrella term used to cover work promoting those subjects in education and to young people. Our work in the area is primarily about promoting the broad range of exciting opportunities that gliding provides to young people who have a potential interest in aviation and aerospace careers.

Gliding is the ultimate adventure sport, a sport that requires the pilot to harness the power of nature to stay airborne whether they’re flying locally to their club, flying long distances cross country or soaring at high altitude. Exhilarating, affordable and inclusive, gliding is enjoyed by people of all ages, physical abilities and backgrounds. It can be as exciting and challenging as you want it to be, and there are many diverse aspects to discover. No two flights are the same with the pilot continually attempting to make the best possible use of the conditions on the day. From flying close to the local airfield to cross country, long distance and mountain wave flying to competitions, aerobatics and vintage aircraft there really is something for everyone.

You can share that world…

Learn to harness nature’s awesome power using just the sun and the wind to soar like a bird.  Your journey to flight will INSPIRE you and change your attitude to life itself.  To learn to fly is to GROW – as you learn to handle the aircraft, you grow your knowledge of nature and science and gain confidence, resilience and team-working skills.  Take your place in the worldwide pilot COMMUNITY and see the world from a different perspective….

Learn more

We’re working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to promote STEM through gliding.

Information for teachers

Some great STEM activity resources have been developed by subject matter experts and used extensively since 2022. These National Curriculum-based activities at Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 cover elements of Maths, Science and Design and Technology and are all fun and practical challenges. The resources are also ideal for youth groups as most require little or no additional equipment or materials readily available around the home. Each activity comes with comprehensive student and teacher notes. They’re free to use and available here on the Gliding Stem webpage.

Find a gliding club near you!

You can search for a gliding club near you using our interactive ‘club finder’.

You can learn more about gliding here.