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8th grader from iLEAD Agua Dulce Samantha Fuller with her father Stephen as she prepares for take-off. Photo courtesy of Matt Watson.

ILEAD Students Navigate The Skies In Glider Planes North Of Santa Clarita

Students in eighth grade at iLEAD Agua Dulce Middle School experienced first-hand the principles of aerodynamics and flight Sunday as they had the opportunity to pilot glider planes at the Southern California Soaring Academy (SCSA) northeast of Santa Clarita.

After six weeks of studying different subjects in science, technology, engineering and math, (STEM) and practicing on different flight simulators the eighth graders had the opportunity to go to Llano, California and put their studies into practice, according to iLEAD School officials.

The young pilots were also accompanied by Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita who spent the majority of his military career as a pilot.

Congressman Mike Garcia and his son Jet with eighth graders from iLEAD Agua Dulce. Photo courtesy of Matt Watson.

“This project is the perfect combination of science, technology, engineering and math,” Deja Munn, the STEM teacher at iLEAD Agua Dulce Middle School said. “We are a project-based school and we try to make every project as authentic as possible — and it doesn’t get much more authentic than this.”

The students began their ground school at home as they were still in a distance-learning model due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to officials.

While distance learning, students focused on aerodynamics and flight theory, as well as the history of aviation, and accomplishments of aviators in history.

Once students returned to in-person learning they were able to start putting what they had studied into practice, according to officials.

“The timing really was perfect,” Munn said. “They were able to practice on the flight simulator that we have in class before flying.”

After using the flight simulators in the classroom, the students were able to take their practice and put it to test in the real world with the help of a trained pilot.

After being briefed early Sunday morning, students took turns in the gliders, riding in the front seat of the 2-seater planes.

The gliders were towed by a single-engine tow plane to an altitude of 2,500 feet before disconnecting and putting their learning into practice, according to officials.

The young pilots were each accompanied by a trainer pilot from SCSA as they experienced the dynamics of what Garcia called “real flying” as there is no engine to guide them.

It was then that their learning was truly put to the test, according to iLEAD officials.

“It was really cool,” Samantha Fuller, the first student to fly said. “At first I was honestly scared.”

However, Fuller said once the trainer pilot let her take control, “I was calm because we had practiced on the simulator in class.”

Not only did Fuller enjoy her flight on Sunday, but it has changed the way she will look upon airplanes in the future, according to her father.

“This is a great opportunity and I know she’ll never look at an airplane the same again,” Stephen Fuller, Samantha’s father said. “She was both excited and nervous, but she definitely wanted to experience this.  Any time she sees a plane go overhead, I’m sure she’ll be doing the math as it goes by.”

The eighth-grade students were not the only ones who were excited.

Sam Diem, another student who participated on Sunday said that this project helped demonstrate to her that there is a purpose and a “why” for math. She felt more engaged in math because of its connection to the real world, according to officials.

Some of the students’ parents,  grandparents and even Munn mustered up the courage to take a flight of their own, according to officials.

“As a supporter of school choice and iLEAD Charter Schools, it was a great pleasure to support iLEAD students at the Soaring Academy today in Llano as they took to the skies for the first time,” Garcia said. “Now more than ever we need to be inspired.  Aviation does that for us.  I’m proud of our local students for pushing the envelope up there.”


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ILEAD Students Navigate The Skies In Glider Planes North Of Santa Clarita

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About Louie Diaz

Louie was born and raised in Santa Clarita. At the age of two Louie lost his vision due to a brain tumor. However, Louie doesn't let blindness stop him from doing what ever it is he wants to accomplish. Growing up some of his favorite hobbies were wood working, fishing and riding bikes. Louie graduated from College of the Canyon in December of 2017, with a Broadcast Journalism degree. Growing up Louie has always wanted to be a fire fighter or a police officer, but because of his blindness Louie knew that wouldn't work. Louie has always loved listening to police and fire radio traffic, using a scanner, and he figured if he was going to listen to the scanner so much, he should do something with it.