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The STEM Shuttle
Mission News

A mission to Raymond Elementary School in southeast Wisconsin on Tuesday, Nov. 5 concluded the fall 2024 schedule for the STEM Shuttle.

The mobile classroom, owned and operated by the Dream Flight USA Foundation in Wausau, is in its 19th year of traveling throughout Wisconsin motivating students in the upper elementary grades to learn.

Shuttle Mission Guide: The number of students on board during each session of a STEM Shuttle mission will be limited to 10. There will be up to five sessions during the school day.

As has been our practice since inception, hand sanitizer will be administered to all entering the shuttle.

Our crews will take 10 minutes between sessions to clean the hands-on work stations.

Upcoming STEM Shuttle Missions:

Future STEM Shuttle missions to be scheduled.

If you would like your school or event to be on the STEM Shuttle schedule for spring 2025, please contact us: stemshuttle@gmail.com, or text/call 715-845-6392.

Building Bridges
to the Future

Since 2006, the STEM Shuttle has traveled throughout Wisconsin, and at times neighboring states, to excite students in middle school and upper elementary grades to learn.

Hands-on learning and dedicated veteran teachers allow us to accomplish our mission.

Enjoy exploring this site, and we hope to visit your community soon.

If you are interested in bringing the STEM Shuttle to your school or event, please call or text 715-845-6392, or email stemshuttle@gmail.com.

Schools Give Shuttle Crew Great Grades!

“What a wonderful two days the Ithaca students had on the STEM Shuttle!! Each group had so much fun with the hands-on learning the shuttle brought.

A heartfelt thank you to the “crew” of Terry, Sue, and Sharon. They were WONDERFUL! The layout of the shuttle, the instructions for each station, the attention to each and every student was incredible.”

— From Kathleen, an elementary school principal, regarding a shuttle mission last year.

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This experience landed home with our students to help them better understand the “why” behind the core knowledge they are obtaining each day in class.

Our students left their shuttle mission with a great understanding of the science and daily principles guiding our daily actions (locally and globally).

In the end, understanding the why behind their curricular studies connects the classroom to their lives. It provides physical examples of how material presented in class does have application and importance to the world around them.

— Principal Corey Peterson, Melrose (WI) Elementary School

Mission Briefs

Everybody Loves the STEM Shuttle
at Raymond Elementary School

The STEM Shuttle closed out the fall schedule by docking at the Raymond Elementary School on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The elementary school is part of the Raymond School District 14, located in Franksville, south of General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.

As you will see by the pictures, the students were really engaged in the hands-on activities on board the mobile classroom. We look forward to a return visit to Raymond next school year.

Sharon Ryan and Sue Bushman were the teachers for this mission, and the shuttle pilot was Tom Rath, who also took these great pictures.

For more pictures from the Raymond Elementary School mission, please click here.

Unity Students Work Together
on STEM Shuttle Workstations

The STEM Shuttle docked at the Unity Elementary School in Balsam Lake on Monday, Oct. 28. If pictures tell the story, the students were totally engaged in the hands-on activities.

Sharon Ryan and Sue Bushman were the teachers, while Tom Rath was the shuttle pilot and photographer.

For more pictures from the Unity Elementary School mission, please click here.

Excited Viking Middle School
Students Complete Shuttle Stations

Following the conclusion of a successful three-day STEM Shuttle mission on Friday, Oct. 18, the crew is on its way home. The shuttle had docked at the Viking Middle School in the Baldwin-Woodville school district in western Wisconsin on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

The crew consisted of teachers Sue Bushman and Sharon Ryan, and the pilot, Terry Whitmore. Excellent pictures taken by the crew captured the excitement of the students being challenged by the hands-on work stations. Enjoy the photos.

This was the second multiple day shuttle mission in the past two weeks. Last week the crew taught students in Ithaca, Wauzeka, and Fennimore, all in the southwestern part of Wisconsin.

For more pictures from the Viking Middle School mission, please click here.

Strong showing for STEM Shuttle
at Viking Middle School in Woodville

For the second day of a three-day STEM Shuttle mission, the unique mobile classroom docked at the Viking Middle School in the Baldwin-Woodville school district on Thursday, Oct. 17. The shuttle and crew are taking part in the Wisconsin Science Week activities in the district.

One of the hands-on activities on the STEM Shuttle involves students learning the importance of exercising in space. Without earth’s gravity, failing to properly exercise in the weightless environment can lead to bone and muscle atrophy. Exercise is a critical part of maintaining healthy bones and muscles in space, just as it is on earth.

So the students on board the shuttle do a strength related activity. Enjoy the pictures from today’s activity.

For more pictures from day two at Viking Middle School, please click here.

STEM Shuttle Begins Three-Day
Mission to Viking Middle School

STEM Shuttle operations have ended for the day at the Viking Middle School in Woodville, WI on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Woodville is just east of Baldwin.

This was the first day of a three-day visit to Viking Middle School. The pictures from the crew show the students are enjoying the hands-on activities. Notice the reactions to having success in constructing the arch. It’s challenging to say the least.

The crew for the week are teachers Sharon Ryan and Sue Bushman. Terry Whitmore is the STEM Shuttle pilot. The shuttle visit is part of the Wisconsin Science Festival, and is being sponsored by the Baldwin Public Library.

For more pictures from the Viking Middle School mission, please click here.

Return Visit to Fennimore Concludes
STEM Shuttle Trip to Southwestern Wisconsin

Wednesday, Oct. 9 marked another successful visit by the STEM Shuttle to the Fennimore Elementary School. It was also the final day of a 3-day visit to the Southwestern Wisconsin area. On Monday the shuttle docked at the Ithaca Elementary School and Tuesday the shuttle spent the day at the Wauzeka Elementary School.

The shuttle teachers making the trip were Sharon Ryan and Sue Bushman, and the mobile classroom was piloted by Dennis Cihlar.

Next week the STEM Shuttle heads west to the Viking Middle School in Woodville, part of the Baldwin-Woodville Area School District.

For more pictures from the Fennimore Elementary School Mission, please click here.

First visit to Wauzeka-Steuben
a success for STEM Shuttle

STEM Shuttle operations have concluded in Wauzeka for Tuesday, Oct. 8. This was the first time the shuttle docked in the Wauzeka-Steuben school district. We hope it isn’t the last. Great students and great staff!

Teachers Sharon Ryan and Sue Bushman, along with driver Dennis Cihlar, will wind up their three-day series of missions to Southwestern Wisconsin on Wednesday when the shuttle returns to Fennimore.

For more photos from the Wauzeka-Steuben school district mission, please click here,

STEM Shuttle Mission to Ithaca
Kicks Off Trek to Southwestern Wisconsin

STEM Shuttle operations at the Ithaca Elementary School on Monday, Oct. 7 have ended after a successful day for the students, staff, and teachers.

Sharon Ryan and Sue Bushman were the shuttle teachers, and Dennis Cihlar piloted the shuttle. The mobile STEM classroom will remain in the area for the next two days, docking at the Wauzeka Elementary School Tuesday, and at Fennimore Elementary on Wednesday.

For more pictures from the Ithaca Elementary School Mission, please click here.

Involved students work with
STEM Shuttle at Peace Lutheran

The STEM Shuttle docked at Peace Lutheran Elementary School in Antigo on Thursday, Oct. 3. Sharon Ryan and Sandy Smith were the teachers for a group of students that looked totally involved on this shuttle mission, and Terry Whitmore was the pilot (driver).

For more photos from the Peace Lutheran Elementary School in Antigo mission, please click here,

Trustworthy STEM Shuttle Begins October
at St. Anthony School in Loyal

The Dream Flight USA STEM Shuttle was involved in a joint operation in Loyal to begin the month on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The mobile classroom docked at St. Anthony School in Loyal, and Loyal elementary public school students made the short trip to St. Anthony and took part in the hands-on activities on board the shuttle.

The shuttle crew: Teachers Sandy Smith and Sharon Ryan. Terry Whitmore piloted the shuttle. Next up for the crew is Peace Lutheran in Antigo on Thursday, Oct. 3.

For more pictures from the St. Anthony School mission in Loyal, please click here.

SUMMER LEARNING:
STEM Shuttle Travels to Hayward

The STEM Shuttle and crew docked at the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University in Hayward on Monday, July 22. The extension arm of the university sponsored this shuttle mission.

Crew members included Terry Whitmore, Sharon Ryan, and Sue Bushman.

For more photos from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University in Hayward mission, please click here,

DIAMOND EVENT:
STEM Shuttle Appears at Wausau
Parish’s 75th Anniversary Celebration

The STEM Shuttle spent a day this summer docked at the St. Anne Parish 75th anniversary celebration in Wausau on Saturday, June 15. Several visitors toured the shuttle during the day, including a few from out of town who were attending a wedding at the church.

If you would like to have the STEM Shuttle visit your event, please contact us at stemshuttle@gmail.com, or text (715) 845-6392 for information. As the event pictures show, there is a lot to see on board.

For more pictures from the St. Anne Parish anniversary event, please click here.

Strong Showing For St. Mary’s School
Working on STEM Shuttle Stations

On Wednesday, May 22, the students at St Mary’s School in Marathon City were challenged by the hands-on workstations on board the STEM Shuttle.

One of the activities tests the strength of the students’ hands, a reminder that astronauts have to keep their muscles toned in the weightlessness of space. The students were joined in this activity by the school’s administrator, Deacon Bryan Hilts.

Sharon Ryan and Sandy Smith were the STEM Shuttle teachers, and Dennis Chilar was the shuttle pilot.

For more photos from the St. Mary’s School mission, please click here,

IN THE NEWS: Milwaukee TV Station
Covers STEM Shuttle at Hartland South

A crew from television station FOX6 News Milwaukee (WITI) spent some time with the STEM Shuttle while docked at the Hartland South Elementary School on Wednesday, May 15. The shuttle was docked for two days at the school.

Shuttle mission crew members were Sandy Smith, Sue Bushman, and Terry Whitmore. Check out the FOX6 News story about the STEM Shuttle by clicking here.

For more pictures from day two of the Hartland South mission, please click here.

Hartland South Students
Take on STEM Shuttle Workstations

The STEM Shuttle docked at Hartland South Elementary school on Tuesday, May 14, the first day of a two-day mission. On the shuttle, crew members were teachers Sandy Smith and Sue Bushman, and Terry Whitmore was the pilot/photographer.

By the looks of the pictures, the students are taking the challenges of the hands-on workstations to heart.

Please click here to view photos from day one at Hartland South Elementary School.

Students Celebrate Workstation Successes
as STEM Shuttle Visits Erin School

Students at the Erin School in Hartford spent Monday, May 13 on board the STEM Shuttle, being challenged by a series of hands-on workstations. As you can see by the pictures, successes were celebrated.

The STEM Shuttle crew was comprised of teachers Sandy Smith and Sue Bushman, along with pilot/photographer Terry Whitmore.

For more pictures from the Erin School mission, please click here.

Pembine Students Enjoy Learning
at Workstations on STEM Shuttle

Pembine Middle School students spent Tuesday, May 7, on board the STEM Shuttle.

We are happy to share a nice post from the school. Please check it out on the Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine School District Facebook page by clicking here. You will find a message plus additional pictures of the shuttle mission.

Our crew, teachers Sharon Ryan and Sue Bushman, with pilot Terry Whitmore, extend their thanks to District Administrator Lynn Stankevich, the staff, and students, for a great day of learning and their wonderful hospitality.

For more pictures from the Pembine Middle School mission, please click here.

Peshtigo Elementary Students Show
Appreciation to STEM Shuttle Crew

The STEM Shuttle docked at the Peshtigo Elementary School on Monday, May 6. Crew members for the day were teachers Sharon Ryan and Sue Bushman, along with shuttle pilot Terry Whitmore.

Each crew member received a special “thank you” badge from the school, as can be seen below. Our crew extends its sincerest thank you to the school staff and students.

Enjoy the pictures by clicking here.

For a list of other previous missions and photos, please visit our Schedule/Missions page.