STEM Heroes

Drone Launch Academy
STEM Heroes

Welcome to STEM Heroes, where we dive deep into the world of education, technology, and innovation. Join us as we interview educators and STEM experts who are shaping the future with drones, robots, and cutting-edge technology. Our goal is to showcase the endless possibilities that STEM offers for students, highlighting their achievements, success stories, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. In each episode, we engage in casual conversations with our guests, exploring their backgrounds in education, what inspired them to focus on projects involving drones, robotics, or other STEM areas, and the most memorable STEM projects their students have worked on. We also delve into the challenges they've faced in implementing STEM initiatives, how they overcame them, and the resources and tools they find most helpful for teaching STEM effectively. Through our discussions, we uncover how educators integrate real-world applications and industry knowledge into their STEM curriculum, offering valuable insights and advice for fellow educators looking to incorporate more hands-on STEM experiences. We also discuss the future of STEM education, particularly in relation to drones, robotics, and emerging technologies, envisioning a world where students are empowered to become the next generation of STEM leaders. Join us on STEM Heroes as we celebrate the heroes of STEM education and inspire the innovators of tomorrow!

Episodes

  1. JUN 18

    S1 E7- Jason McKenna- Robotics in STEM Education

    In this episode of the STEM Heroes podcast, host David Young talks to Jason McKenna of VEX Robotics. Jason shares his inspiring journey from being a classroom teacher who initially knew nothing about robotics, to falling in love with teaching STEM and coding through robotics. He provides a fascinating inside look at VEX Robotics, the largest STEM education provider in the world that engages millions of students from kindergarten through college. Jason discusses the immense value of robotics in developing critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, creativity and computational thinking in students. He gives insights into how schools can fund and implement robotics programs, whether through grants, corporate partnerships or their own budgets. A major highlight is Jason's description of the exciting VEX Robotics World Championship, where over 25,000 students from 70+ countries compete with robots they've designed and coded themselves. He shares incredible stories of students' enthusiasm, teamwork and ingenuity at these events. Throughout the conversation, Jason emphasizes the importance of embracing failure and complexity in the learning process, rather than just focusing on an end goal or final product. His advice is invaluable for teachers looking to bring more engaging, real-world STEM learning into their classrooms. Whether you're an educator, student, parent or simply someone passionate about STEM education, this inspiring episode provides a captivating look into the world of robotics competitions and their powerful impact on student learning.

    37 min
  2. JUN 11

    S1 E6- Keith Pritchett- JROTC Instructor Integrates Drones into STEM Education

    In this episode of the STEM Heroes podcast, host David Young talks with Keith Pritchett, a former Army helicopter pilot turned JROTC high school instructor in Alabama. Keith shares his fascinating background, including 26 years in the Army where he worked as an air traffic controller before becoming a helicopter pilot and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After retiring from the military, Keith became a JROTC instructor to continue mentoring and teaching youth. When Alabama provided funding for STEM education initiatives focused on computers or drones, Keith opted to integrate drones into his JROTC program. He found Drone Launch Academy to help teach his cadets to obtain their commercial drone pilot license (Part 107). Keith discusses how he incorporated the drone curriculum into his leadership lab classes, teaching topics like airspace, regulations and emergency procedures. He shares entertaining stories of his cadets' "aha" moments when complex concepts clicked. So far, eight of Keith's students have passed the Part 107 exam. Looking ahead, Keith plans to expand into drone mapping and have students use drones for tasks like monitoring parking lots during events. He even dreams of using drone mapping along with the school's robotics program to automatically paint parking lot lines! Tune in to hear this inspiring educator's innovative vision for using drones to prepare students for STEM careers.

    28 min
  3. MAY 21

    S1 E2- Grant Brewer- From Teaching Drones to Delivering with Drones

    Grant Brewer, a former high school drone instructor who now works at DroneUp, joins the STEM Heroes podcast to discuss the exciting world of drone delivery and drone careers. He shares his experience teaching one of the first high school drone programs in Arkansas, covering topics like the hands-on curriculum, student projects, and preparing students for FAA drone certification. Grant then dives into his current role at DroneUp, a leading drone delivery company partnered with major retailers like Walmart. He explains how DroneUp operates, with drones delivering packages in under 30 minutes, and discusses their new "drone ecosystem" involving destination boxes and autonomous operations. The conversation explores the future of drone jobs, from maintenance technicians to software engineers mapping obstacles and airspace. Grant provides insights into the skills needed, like coding, GIS, and multitasking for monitoring multiple drones. He also shares advice for educators considering starting a drone program at their school. Whether you're a student eager to pursue a drone career, an educator looking to implement drones, or simply fascinated by this cutting-edge technology, this episode offers a compelling look at the rise of drone delivery and the opportunities within the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry. Check it out for an insightful discussion blending Grant's unique perspectives from both the classroom and the forefront of commercial drone operations.

    36 min
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to STEM Heroes, where we dive deep into the world of education, technology, and innovation. Join us as we interview educators and STEM experts who are shaping the future with drones, robots, and cutting-edge technology. Our goal is to showcase the endless possibilities that STEM offers for students, highlighting their achievements, success stories, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. In each episode, we engage in casual conversations with our guests, exploring their backgrounds in education, what inspired them to focus on projects involving drones, robotics, or other STEM areas, and the most memorable STEM projects their students have worked on. We also delve into the challenges they've faced in implementing STEM initiatives, how they overcame them, and the resources and tools they find most helpful for teaching STEM effectively. Through our discussions, we uncover how educators integrate real-world applications and industry knowledge into their STEM curriculum, offering valuable insights and advice for fellow educators looking to incorporate more hands-on STEM experiences. We also discuss the future of STEM education, particularly in relation to drones, robotics, and emerging technologies, envisioning a world where students are empowered to become the next generation of STEM leaders. Join us on STEM Heroes as we celebrate the heroes of STEM education and inspire the innovators of tomorrow!

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