Skybound STEM/STEAM: Elevating Education with Drones

Purpose & objective

Our presentation aims to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively integrate drones into STEM/STEAM education, fostering engagement, equity, and innovation in the classroom.

Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will:

Understand Diverse Applications: Participants will grasp the wide-ranging applications of drones in education, from mapping and data collection to creative projects.

Promote Equity: Participants will learn strategies to ensure equitable access to drone education, addressing potential resource disparities among students.

Hands-On Proficiency: Participants will gain practical drone piloting and programming skills through interactive workshops.

Innovative Resources: Participants will explore and access a curated selection of teaching materials and resources to enhance their STEM/STEAM curricula.

Diverse Perspectives: Participants will hear from a panel of educators with varied backgrounds who have successfully implemented drone education programs, providing diverse perspectives and approaches.

Educational Challenge:
Educators face the challenge of engaging students in STEM/STEAM subjects while ensuring equitable access to innovative educational tools.

Technology Intervention:
We introduce drone technology, including widely available models and software tools like Droneblocks, to enhance teaching and student engagement.

Models Employed:
We employ the "hands-on workshop" model for participants to actively pilot drones. We also employ the "panel discussion" model to present diverse perspectives.

Instructional Activities/Strategies:

Hands-On Workshops: Participants actively pilot drones to understand their use in various STEM/STEAM contexts.
Resource Showcase: We provide access to instructional materials and resources for participants to use in their classrooms.
Evidence of Success:
We will share success stories and case studies of schools and educators that have effectively integrated drones into their STEM/STEAM curricula. Additionally, we will encourage participants to join a community for ongoing support, fostering a network of educators who have successfully implemented drone technology in education.

Outline

Presentation Outline: "Skybound STEM/STEAM: Elevating Education with Drones"

Duration: 75 minutes

I. Introduction (5 minutes)

Welcome and session overview.
Highlight the importance of drones in education.
Set the stage for a dynamic and engaging session.
II. Diverse Applications of Drones (10 minutes)

Explore various applications, from aerial photography to environmental monitoring.
Showcase real-world examples of drone projects in education.
Engage participants with a brief poll on their knowledge of drone applications.
III. Promoting Equity in Drone Education (10 minutes)

Discuss the significance of equity in education.
Share strategies to ensure all students have access to drone learning.
Interactive brainstorming: Participants share ideas on promoting equity in their contexts.
IV. Hands-On Drone Workshop (20 minutes)

Distribute drones to participants.
Guided hands-on experience: Participants pilot drones and perform basic maneuvers.
Facilitate peer-to-peer interaction for collaborative learning.
V. Innovative Resources Showcase (15 minutes)

Demonstrate drone-related teaching materials and resources.
Highlight free and accessible tools like Droneblocks.
Encourage participants to explore and access these resources on their devices.

VI. Building an Inclusive Community (10 minutes)

Discuss the importance of ongoing support and collaboration.
Invite participants to join a community of educators interested in drone education.
Share resources for continued learning.
VII. Hands-On Drone Workshop (10 minutes)

Resume drone piloting activities.
Introduce more advanced maneuvers for those interested.
Facilitate peer feedback and collaborative learning.
VIII. Recap and Call to Action (5 minutes)

Summarize key takeaways.
Challenge participants to incorporate drones in their teaching.
Encourage attendees to network, collaborate, and continue exploring drone education.
IX. Closing Remarks (5 minutes)

Express gratitude for participation.
Share contact information for follow-up questions.
Conclude the session on an inspiring note.
Throughout the presentation, we will engage the audience with device-based activities, interactive discussions, and hands-on experiences. Participants will have access to drones and resources, enabling them to actively engage with the technology and each other. Peer-to-peer interaction will provide multiple opportunities for audience engagement and learning.

Supporting research

DroneBlocks: A website offering resources and software for educators to teach coding and programming with drones.

Drones In K-12 Education
https://edgeucating.com/drones-in-k-12-education/

Drones in Education: Starting a Drone Program in K-12 Classrooms: https://www.adorama.com/alc/drones-in-education-starting-a-drone-program-in-k-12-classrooms/

Georgia Southern alumna encourages rural students to take to the skies with drone technology curriculum
https://coe.georgiasouthern.edu/blog/2021/07/14/georgia-southern-alumna-encourages-rural-students-to-take-to-the-skies-with-drone-technology-curriculum/