Students in Ms. Adrienne Davis’ seventh and eighth grade science classes recently learned that with the proper motivation, dedication and determination, they can ‘fly.’

Since the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, Ms. Davis has offered Reward Bucks for students who display aspects of the eight Leader in Me habits, such as arriving to class on time, being kind to one another, completing projects and giving 100% effort. The Reward Bucks can be turned in for a variety of items, including healthy snacks, homework passes, school supplies and fidget toys, all of which are provided by Ms. Davis.

Reward Bucks activities also prompt students to be more engaged in the classroom and with their peers.

“I would answer more questions. I was stepping up more, I was helping other people in the class,” seventh-grader Faith Boyles said, a sentiment other students echoed.

But Ms. Davis also wanted to create a classwide reward that taught her students how to work as a team to accomplish a goal as well as learning about earning and budgeting for something on a bigger scale.

That is when she incorporated the iFLY program-an immersive, hands-on STEM experience in Paramus, New Jersey, where students would have the opportunity to “fly” in a wind tunnel.

After receiving approval for the field trip, members of Ms. Davis’ class began saving their Reward Bucks in mid-December to earn the opportunity to attend. Students earned an average of four Reward Bucks each day, and to qualify for the iFLY field trip, each student needed to save $100 Reward Bucks before the trip at the end of February. They could still spend them on other items, but they had to make sure to have enough to attend.

Ready to fly

Ten students ultimately qualified and attended the field trip to iFLY on Feb. 28.

Program educators guided students through an interactive presentation on real-world STEM applications, where they were able to learn more about careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

They also learned how scientists use wind tunnels to test cars and airplanes and how their designs have changed over the years, eighth-grader Kendry Cordero-Lima said.

Students said they enjoyed seeing physics in action through demonstrations in the vertical wind tunnel. Various objects, including balls and stuffed animals, were placed in the tunnel, and students were asked to predict what effect the wind would have on each object.

As a lab activity, students were asked to design a parachute to fit certain parameters, as well as measure and record data and interpret the results.

“The best part was they were talking to us about the science behind it all and how gravity works,” seventh-grader Kameren Samuel said.

The students put that knowledge into action and were able to “fly” in the wind tunnel with a certified instructor. As students entered the wind tunnel one at a time, the instructor showed them how to position themselves in the tunnel so that it changed the way they flew.

Many of the students said they were nervous about flying.

“The wind tunnel was scary. It was really loud. I felt like I was going to fall through,” seventh-grader Aleigha Travis said. “But I faced my fears, and I had a lot of fun.”

Because it was a small group, many students were able to take multiple turns in the wind tunnel.

“I was so scared to fly, but with the support of the instructor, my classmates and teachers, I did it,” eighth-grader Zaniah Hernandez said, “and I even went three times.”

The lessons went far beyond science, though.

“What was so remarkable to witness was the students overcoming their fears and building self-confidence,” Ms. Davis said. “It was an opportunity many of my students may not have ever been able to have experienced without the support of the school. So many people came together to make this happen, especially Ms. Cheh and Mrs. Degraw, and I cannot thank them enough!”