A Drone Team Challenge is a Great Way to Teach Students About Drone Technology

Drones are driving one of the most exciting areas of innovation in technology. They can be used in videography, disaster recovery, agriculture, conservation and so much more. Students can learn the skills to fly and program drones in a fun, hands-on environment. This can be done through a drone team challenge, where students work together to tackle real world challenges using drones. These challenges are designed to build the foundational skills needed for students to become leaders in the drone industry, from the ground up.

Drone Team Challenges are a fantastic way to break out of the traditional classroom environment and to teach students about drone technology, problem-solving, healthy risk-taking, and collaborative teamwork. They are also a great way to showcase the power of drones in a unique and engaging way for all learners.

The 2022 Aerospace Jam Drone and Sensor Competition, held in April at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, was a day-long drone competition where high school students teamed up to navigate an obstacle course with a specialized drone kit that included GPS, high-tech sensors and the ability to collect data. The teams were required to rely on their teamwork, communication and programming skills as they attempted to maneuver the drones through a jungle-themed course that was full of rocks, artificial leaves and “wild” animals.

Three international collegiate teams who won the simulation portion of the competition were invited to test their pursuit, sense-and-avoid and navigation software in a physical environment at Purdue’s UAS Research and Test Facility (PURT). There, the student pilots competed against the drones they had created in the simulator to demonstrate how well their solutions worked in a real-world setting.

In the competition, each team had to compete in a time trial against the other competing teams and a multi-player challenge that involved avoiding and overtaking other drones. The winner was determined by the average of both. The experience was a great opportunity for students to demonstrate their problem-solving, creativity and technical flight skills.

She Maps is Australia’s leading expert in drone and geospatial education. They provide schools with drones, school-industry created curriculum and highly supportive teacher professional development. She Maps has partnered with the FAA to offer a comprehensive drone training program that prepares students for careers in the growing field of unmanned aerial vehicles. The program begins in 3rd grade and takes students through progressive training preparing them for a wide range of careers.

Students are able to take their learning beyond the basics of drone operation by participating in the FAA Part 107 certification process and applying their knowledge through the use of immersive, hands-on experiences that challenge their technical flight skills, teamwork, communication and creative thinking. Students can also go beyond the drone competitions and complete an immersive, 9-12th grade program that prepares them for a variety of career options within the drone industry. The program is available through She Maps in a variety of locations worldwide. Contact us to learn more about the availability of the program in your area.