Where STEM takes flight!
As a vehicle for STEM learning, drones might be described as the “chemistry set” of the modern era – allowing students an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the engineering design process, while also experimenting with a wide variety of cutting edge technologies, including 3D printing, coding, augmented/virtual reality, and hardware design.
The Microsoft Drone Academy will impact thousands of students and educators nationwide, through a series of education outreach events, professional development workshops for educators, community-based coaching and mentorship, and an online learning platform.
Dr. Cesare Wright (Kino-Eye Center President) describes the new Microsoft Drone Academy program as a “leap forward in STEM education,” explaining that, “The Microsoft Drone Academy makes STEM learning real; it connects technology and engineering to solving real-world problems. We introduce students to a wide variety of engineering disciplines, technologies, and career opportunities, and we do so in a way that builds on their own intrinsic motivations and interests.”
Program Overview
The Microsoft Drone Academy is a multi-year STEM enrichment program that consists of formal instruction and authentic project-based learning encounters. The program supports core education standards in Math, Science, Reading, Social Studies/History, and ELA, while also allowing students to develop and apply technical, teamwork, and leadership skills in a real-world context.
Students who complete the academic requirements of the MS Drone Academy are eligible to receive E-badges and formal Microsoft technical certifications upon graduation from high school.
In addition to sessions for K-12 students, the Microsoft Drone Academy includes professional development training for teachers and administrators, as well as program development and consulting services for schools and community organizations.
Key focus topics include:
- Cutting edge technology
- Engineering design process
- Authentic project-based learning
- Automation and control systems
- Computer vision and virtual/augmented reality
- Sensor design and data collection
- “Internet of Things” applications
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence
- Social and environmental impact of technology
- Teamwork and leadership
