The Royal Air Force (RAF)
See how the RAF supports our Air Activities staged badge with a range of fantastic STEM resources and events.
Why we work together
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is passionate about equipping young people with the skills they need to soar.
The RAF sponsors our staged Air Activities badges across all Scout sections and is on hand to share expert knowledge in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
The RAF provides Scouts with
- Resources to complete the Air Activities badges,
- Access to STEM-based activities, challenges and competitions,
- The opportunity to attend exclusive events - including museum takeover days - where Scouts can learn from RAF STEM ambassadors and work towards or complete their badges in a single sitting.
We’ve refreshed the Air Activities staged badges to make them more relevant, flexible, and accessible for young people aged 4–18. The updated programme brings the thrill of flight and aviation to life, wherever the groups may meet, through hands-on experiments, real-world experiences, and exploration of aerospace careers and environmental impact.
Developed in collaboration with volunteers and our RAF partners, the programme is designed to be inspiring, safe, and future facing. Whether a young person dreams of becoming a pilot or is simply curious about how things fly, the new programme makes flight accessible, engaging, and fun. These changes also support our wider work in STEM, skills for life, and broadening participation for all.
As part of the refresh, we’ve streamlined requirements and added more optional activities at every stage, offering greater choice, encouraging autonomy, and allowing young people to shape their own journey. This also ensures a suitable level of variety and challenge across all age groups. We have also removed the separate Stage 6 award and combined its content with Stage 5, simplifying the progression and making the badge journey clearer and more achievable.
During the transition, Stage 6 badges can be awarded either for completing the old Stage 6 requirements or for completing all 11 requirements of Stage 5. Young people can continue working towards the old requirements until 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026, they must follow the new requirements.
To check out the new requirements, head to the badge pages here
Planning a day trip with your Scouts?
Visiting the Royal Air Force Museums is a great way to bring the Air Activities staged badges and their content to life. Try something new together, entry is often free, or available at a discounted rate for groups.
Always check the opening details on the websites for museums before planning your trip.
Free Scout Takeover Days 2026
Work towards or even complete stage one or two of the Air Activities badge in a single day at RAF Midlands or RAF London Museums.
RAF Museum London
4 July 2026
10 October 2026
RAF Museum Midlands
17 May 2026
3 October 2026
Shuttleworth Museum
27 October 2026
Tickets are required, please see the RAF Museum website for more information.
Badges and resources
With the Air Activities staged badges, all Scout sections can explore the secrets and science of flight. They'll learn about the workings of an aircraft, how to chart a journey across the sky and how to prototype their own flying machine.
Keen to get stuck in? Activities for all six badges are available on the Programme Planning Tool.
The Royal International Air Tattoo
Unfortunately RIAT has been cancelled for 2026 due to the ongoing situation in the middle east. We're sure that it will be again next year though, so keep a look out for more information in the next few months on how to get your free tickets to RIAT 2027.
The RAF offers a range of hands-on activities for Scouts, from one-hour STEM sessions to full-day programmes, challenges and competitions.
For more information, contact the RAF Youth and STEM team.
About the RAF
The RAF is the air component of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces, the other services being the Royal Navy and British Army. It's the oldest independent air force in the world.
The RAF's mission is to support the objectives of the British Ministry of Defence, which are to "provide the capabilities needed: to ensure the security and defence of the United Kingdom and overseas territories, including against terrorism; to support the Government’s foreign policy objectives particularly in promoting international peace and security."
The RAF describes its mission statement as "... [to provide] An agile, adaptable and capable Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power contribution in support of the UK Defence Mission."
The mission statement is supported by the RAF's definition of air power, which guides its strategy. Air power is defined as "the ability to project power from the air and space to influence the behaviour of people or the course of events."
If you would like to contact the RAF Youth Engagement Team please email them at [email protected]. Learn more about the RAF on the RAF website.
The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT) is the youngest member of the Royal Air Force family of charities and has had a significant and positive impact on the lives of many young people. Through the support of a wide range of projects and initiatives, particularly those focused on supporting STEM, the RAFCT strives to improve the lives and opportunities of young people across the UK.
Stuck on a STEM badge or activity? Get a boost from a real-life superhero! Ask a STEM Ambassador to join your session.
These free science, tech, engineering, and maths experts can help ensure your learning adventures are fun and successful.
Discover the wonders of science and STEM with the brand-new Curious Minds Blanket Badge!
Great all year round as well as Science Week, we’re inviting Scout groups of all ages to get involved in fun STEM activities. With support from our STEM partners—RAF, Raspberry Pi, Rolls-Royce, and the UK Space Agency. Together we’ve created this badge to inspire curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.
STEM is for everyone, no matter your age or background. So, let’s explore, ask questions, and celebrate the excitement of discovery together!
Useful Links
View all Scouts activities for Science week
Squirrel Scouts Activities for Science Week
Beaver Scouts Activities for Science Week
Cub Scouts Activities for Science Week
Get your Air Activities Staged Badges
Buy your badges from Scout Store
The RAF has created a range of workbooks that can be used as part of the Air Activities Staged Badge.
This workbook has been created for teachers and leaders and complements the Primary Activity Workbook.
Please click on the link to find out more.
The RAF has created a range of workbooks that can be used as part of the Air Activities Staged Badge.
Please click on the link to find out more.
The RAF has created a range of workbooks that can be used as part of the Air Activities Staged Badge.
Please click on the link to find out more.
The RAF has created a range of workbooks that can be used as part of the Air Activities Staged Badge.
Please click on the link to find out more.
The RAF has created a range of workbooks that can be used as part of the Air Activities Staged Badge.
This workbook has been created for teachers and leaders and complements the Generation Tempest Activity Workbook.
Please click on the link to find out more.
The RAF has created a range of workbooks that can be used as part of the Air Activities Staged Badge.
Please click on the link to find out more.