The Air League was pleased to support the Skysmart STEM and Aviation Day, held in the inspiring surroundings of the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, helping to deliver an engaging and inspiring experience for young people exploring opportunities in aviation and STEM.
Bringing together around 70 Scouts and leaders, the event offered a full day of hands-on activities, insight, and discovery. From the outset, there was a strong sense of enthusiasm, with participants fully engaging in the wide variety of experiences available to them.
Bringing stem and aviation to life
The day featured a range of interactive activities delivered by STEM-focused organisations and volunteers, including The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Brooklands Museum and Time and Space Learning. These experiences played a key role in encouraging curiosity, participation and critical thinking.
The Air League team, led by Events and Marketing Executive Michelle Tooke, alongside Air League member and volunteer, Lucas Boix Roe, delivered hands-on challenges designed to engage and inspire.
A puzzle challenge encouraged participants to work collaboratively, communicating effectively and delegating roles to complete the task within a set time. Alongside this, two nut-and-bolt challenges invited Scouts to go head-to-head, racing to correctly assemble components, promoting dexterity, focus, and problem-solving under pressure.
Activities like these offer a simple yet highly effective introduction to STEM concepts, fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and perseverance. By providing practical, hands-on experiences, the event successfully brought STEM and aviation to life in a way that goes far beyond traditional classroom learning.
“At Skysmart, we're passionate about opening up the world of aviation and STEM to young people and showing them what's possible. Hosting 70 Scouts was a real privilege, and seeing their excitement throughout the day made all the hard work worthwhile. Opportunities like this can have a real impact, helping young people see career paths and possibilities they may never have considered before.”
Showcasing Accessible Pathways
The aim of the day was to highlight that careers in aviation and STEM are accessible and achievable for all, regardless of background.
All organisations played a vital role in delivering this message. By sharing their own experiences and engaging directly with the Scouts, they helped demystify career pathways and provide valuable insight into the industry.
These conversations gave young people the opportunity to ask questions, build confidence, and begin to see themselves within these fields.
A Truly Memorable Experience
One of the standout highlights of the day was the opportunity for participants to take to the skies. Scouts and Scout leaders were able to experience flight during the event thanks to the generous support of Jet2.com and a team of volunteer pilots.
For many, this was their first time in the air, an experience that left a lasting impression and reinforced the excitement and possibilities that aviation offers. Combined with the ground-based activities, this created a truly immersive and memorable day.
“It was great to see such high levels of enthusiasm and engagement from the Scouts and Scout Leaders throughout the day. There was a real buzz in the air! Opportunities like this play a vital role in demonstrating that careers in aviation and STEM are open to all, and hands-on activities, combined with direct conversations and experiences, help make those pathways feel both tangible and achievable.”
A collective effort
The success of the Skysmart STEM and Aviation Day reflects the combined efforts of organisers, organisations and volunteers. Each contribution added significant value, helping to create a well-rounded and impactful programme.
Feedback from both Scouts and Scout Leaders has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the variety of activities and the opportunity to engage directly with the organisations involved as key highlights.
Continuing to inspire future talent
At The Air League, we are committed to inspiring, enabling, and supporting young people to explore opportunities in aviation and aerospace. Events such as the Skysmart STEM and Aviation Day play a vital role in achieving this, providing meaningful experiences that inform, inspire, and broaden horizons.
We are proud to have supported this initiative and extend our sincere thanks to the Skysmart team for organising this event, the first of many. Together, we are helping to ensure that the next generation is both aware of and excited by the opportunities available within aviation and STEM.
