STEM Day

October 16, 2026

2026 Programming

Join the Squad. Explore the Future of Flight.

STEM Day brings students in grades 6–12 to Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport for a hands-on day of aviation, engineering, technology, and teamwork.

Students will be organized into Squadrons and rotate through five interactive stations designed to challenge them to think, build, fly, solve, and work together. Throughout the day, Squadrons will compete for points at each station. But this isn't about simply being the fastest or getting the most answers right. The Squadron Challenge is designed to recognize the qualities that make great teammates and great STEM professionals.

Every student has something to contribute. Students can earn points by getting involved, asking questions, working together, communicating clearly, and taking on challenges. The goal is to encourage students to be curious, collaborative, and willing to try something new.

At the end of the day, each Squadron's points will be tallied and the teams that demonstrate strong teamwork throughout the experience will be recognized.

Squadrons

What Earns Points

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

    Collaboration

    Work together, share ideas, and make sure everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and half circle lines.

    Communication

    Listen to teammates, communicate clearly, and work together to make decisions.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and circle lines.

    Curiosity

    Ask questions, investigate how things work, and engage with the experts leading each activity.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

    Active Participation

    Get involved, take on challenges, try something new, and contribute to the team's experience.

  • Problem Solving

    Think through challenges, test ideas, adapt when something doesn't work, and keep working toward a solution.

Explore the 2026 Stations

🚁 Drone Zone

Fly. Strategize. Compete.

Put your UAS skills to the test.

Students will take on a hands-on drone challenge that combines flight, strategy, problem-solving, and competition. Teams will work together to complete the challenge while demonstrating the communication and collaboration that earn points for their Squadron.

Partners:
Civil Air Patrol • Vets to Drones

🎮 Gaming Center

Think like a pilot. Solve like an engineer.

Aviation and gaming come together in this interactive challenge. Students will use technology and teamwork to take on a flying-car challenge or drone soccer, learning how simulation and digital tools can be used to grow your technical skills.

Partners:
Native Teaching Aids • Braxton Miller Foundation

🛠️ Aviation Innovation Lab

Build the future of flight.

Step inside the hangar and explore technologies being developed for the next generation of aviation. Students will interact with hands-on demonstrations and learn how engineers, researchers, and aviation researchers solve complex problems.

Partners:
University of Dayton Research Institute • Sinclair Community College • Kent State University • Wright Patterson Air Force Base • Defend AM/OSU(CDME)

🌎 Future of Flight

Imagine where aviation goes next.

What will flight look like in the future? Students will explore emerging aviation technologies, new ways of navigating the world, and the systems that could change how people and goods move.

Hands-on activities will introduce students to concepts including advanced air mobility, mapping, simulation, and next-generation aircraft.

Partners:
Great American Electric Air Race Team • Joby Aviation

✈️ Aircraft Discovery

Explore. Identify. Understand.

Get up close with aircraft and discover what makes them fly. Students will explore real aircraft, aviation systems, and the people behind them while learning how science, engineering, and aviation come together.

Partners:
Ohio State University • Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

More Than a Competition

STEM Day is about more than finding out who can build the fastest, fly the best, or answer the most questions.

It's about giving students the opportunity to try, explore, ask questions, work with others, and discover something they didn't know they could do.

The aviation industry depends on people with different skills, perspectives, and interests. Pilots are only one part of the picture. Engineers, researchers, software developers, designers, mechanics, manufacturers, data specialists, entrepreneurs, and many others all play a role in shaping the future of flight.

The Future of Flight Starts With You.

Explore. Compete. Create. Fly.