Drones are now not only a hobbyist’s plaything. They examine bridges, survey catastrophe zones, help in agriculture, and even ship medical provides. But, regardless of the rising demand for industrial drone pilots, academic packages that put together college students for this workforce stay sparse. Usually talking, highschool curriculum round drones is tough to come back by.
DARTdrones, a well-established drone coaching firm, is seeking to change that. Their new course, “Intro to Drones: Alternatives, Careers, and FAA Certification Readiness,” goals to make drone schooling accessible to highschool college students. The promise? Give college students hands-on expertise with drones, put together them for FAA certification and introduce them to drone-related careers.
For STEM lecturers, Profession Technical Schooling (CTE) lecturers, and after-school packages, this course may very well be a game-changer in getting youngsters engaged with studying — and serving to them land an actual job within the drone trade.
Unique deal for Drone Woman Readers! Save 20% off the standard course worth whenever you join right here and use the low cost code DRONEGIRL20.
What to anticipate from the DARTdrones Intro to Drones highschool curriculum
DARTdrones has been coaching drone pilots for main industries — together with legislation enforcement, development, and power — for over a decade. Initially, they focused adults seeking to get a profession in drones now.
This highschool curriculum deviates from that mannequin, as an alternative serving to youngsters stand out on faculty purposes and set out on a course that would information a future profession.
The DARTdrones Intro to Drones highschool curriculum is damaged out into 4 sections, that are:
FAA Half 107 check prep course: That is extra akin to any Half 107 on-line check prep course. It goes over every little thing it’s essential move the Half 107 check, which is required to get your drone pilots license (you have to be at the least 16 years previous to really take the Half 107 check). Even when youthful than 16, although, early publicity might put together college students and put them forward within the job market.
Amongst these matters lined as a way to move the Half 107 check embrace rules, airspace classifications, flight restrictions, sectional charts, climate and radio communications.
Drone flight coaching: That is extra sensible, going into the fundamentals of {hardware} and software program, plus guide flight management. You’ll study some superior flight coaching strategies too, reminiscent of overcoming wind and emergency procedures.
This additionally goes for flight strategies particular to industries together with aerial pictures, infrastructure inspections, search and rescue, and drone supply.
The curriculum contains hands-on flying workouts, group challenges and security protocols that mimic real-world eventualities.
Careers in drones: After studying a bit about flying strategies inside every trade, they’ll get an opportunity to plan a profession in these industries in a module completely devoted to the drone market, use instances and getting a job within the drone trade.
Steps to turning into a drone service supplier: Truly flying drones as a service is the most typical sort of drone firm. Actually, drone service suppliers make up 74% of all drone corporations, in accordance with DII’s World Drone Assessment 2024. That determine is adopted by {hardware} producers (18%) and software program builders (7%).
With that in thoughts, the ultimate module teaches college students about creating their very own drone service providing, discovering clients and advertising and marketing their providers. It additionally introduces necessary ideas reminiscent of drone insurance coverage and authorized concerns.
What lecturers ought to know in regards to the DARTdrones highschool curriculum
One of many largest limitations to introducing drones in faculties is that the majority lecturers aren’t pilots. DARTdrones addresses this by providing “Practice the Coach” packages. That is designed particularly to help lecturers, who will lead the curriculum. With it comes options like digital Q&As and entry to a studying administration system (LMS) that lets educators monitor scholar progress.
Another word: whereas the curriculum prepares college students for FAA certification, lecturers themselves want a Half 107 license to legally fly drones outdoors with college students. DARTdrones presents coaching, nevertheless it’s an additional step that faculties should consider.
How a lot does DARTdrones’ “Intro to Drones” highschool curriculum price?
Now from the outset, it would look like the course isn’t low cost. Colleges should pay $1,500 for a 12-student bundle or $2,000 for a 20-student bundle. There’s additionally an possibility for a person scholar license, which prices $200.
However relative to the identical coaching elsewhere, there’s truly super worth right here when you think about a scholar is getting the DARTdrones Half 107 prep course on prime of the primary flight course plus an entire lot extra materials — all for lower than $200. In that sense, it’s actually a kind of scholar low cost specials, provided that the identical coaching would price $1,250 in the event that they got here to open enrollment courses.
Although, do be mindful yet one more price. To maximise the course, college students or lecture rooms will probably must spend money on a set of small drones (DARTdrones recommends at the least a couple of micro drones just like the $40 Holy Stone Mini Drone, in addition to barely extra superior DJI fashions just like the DJI Mini, Air, Mavic or related).
For well-funded STEM packages, this may be manageable, however for underfunded faculties, it may very well be a troublesome promote.
One piece of excellent information: DARTdrones has a deal unique to you studying this on TheDroneGirl. Save 20% off the standard course worth whenever you join right here and use low cost code DRONEGIRL20.
That low cost code will go a great distance, as you’ll save $300 on the 12-student bundle, and $400 on the 20-student bundle.
The state of drone schooling in faculties at the moment
Whereas STEM packages have turn out to be extra frequent in Ok-12 schooling, drones haven’t acquired the identical stage of consideration as, say, coding or robotics. A part of the problem is logistical: Drones are extremely regulated by the FAA, and faculties should navigate airspace restrictions, legal responsibility issues and instructor coaching gaps earlier than they will even take into consideration including drones to the curriculum.
At the moment, most highschool drone packages fall into two classes:
🛠 STEM-focused programs that emphasize drone constructing and coding (suppose DIY kits and circuit boards).
🏆 Drone racing and gaming packages that make flying drones enjoyable however don’t essentially result in skilled purposes.
DARTdrones, which is a female-led firm based by Abby Speicher, is positioning itself as the choice—a course that teaches real-world drone operations, the type that professionals use for search and rescue, mapping and aerial pictures.
The way forward for drone schooling
DARTdrones is betting that workforce demand will drive drone schooling in faculties, very like coding boot camps have reworked tech coaching.
However whether or not Intro to Drones will turn out to be a regular half of highschool curricula stays to be seen. For faculties that desire a plug-and-play drone course with a direct profession path, it’s a powerful possibility.
🔗 Study extra in regards to the DARTdrones Intro To Drones course.
By the way in which, it can save you 20% off the standard course worth whenever you join right here and use DARTdrones low cost code DRONEGIRL20.
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