This week, we hosted our Summer Drone Academy, and what a journey it’s been! From unboxing drone kits and building them, to seeing them take flight, high school students from across the region dove headfirst into a week of immersive STEM learning that was full of challenges, creativity, and collaboration.

From Soldering Irons to Takeoff Zones

The week kicked off with a hands-on soldering workshop, where students learned how to assemble their own drones from the ground up. This foundational work taught them not only about drone hardware, but also instilled patience, precision, and problem-solving skills.

Throughout the program, students connected with STEM mentors and industry professionals over lunchtime fireside chats, gaining valuable insights into careers in robotics, engineering, and technology.

Mid-week, participants entered the build-and-test phase, interfacing with their drone’s onboard computers via the Linux terminal. This segment of the academy focused on coding, calibrating, and preparing for real-world drone flight.  It offered critical experience in programming, navigation, and systems integration.

Flight Day: The Reward for a Week of Hard Work

The final day was the most rewarding → flight day. Students gathered to watch their drones, built with their own hands, lift off the ground. There was no better reward than watching these machines take flight, a testament to the students’ determination, teamwork, and newfound technical skills.

Thank You to Our Partners and Mentors

We are grateful to our partners for making this academy possible:

  • Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics – For your generous sponsorship and hands-on support.
  • Brown University, Duckie Town, and Howard University – For your ongoing contributions to our curriculum and program development.
  • Industry professionals and guest speakers – Your presence and stories inspired our students and gave them a glimpse into what their futures could look like.
    Special thanks to:
    • Amazon Robotics: Rahul Chandan, Katherine Swimm, Jessie Guinn
    • Mitsubishi Electric: Nguyen Dinh-Quy & James Knauer
    • Revolute Robotics: Collin Taylor
    • Wentworth Institute Student (Former Drone Academy Participant): Isaiah Bell
    • Cleo Robotics: James Krusel
    • Maglev Aero: Ian Randall

 

Drone Academy Through the Years

Since launching our first pilot in 2019 at the Dearborn STEM Academy, the MassRobotics Drone Academy has continued to grow. With each year, the curriculum has evolved alongside the hardware, resulting in a user-friendly kit that empowers students to take ownership of the full drone-building process.

  • 2019: First pilot at Dearborn STEM Academy
  • 2020: Curriculum refinement and second academy
  • 2022: Collaboration with Hampton University and Brown University
  • 2023: Introduction of the new user kit and partnerships with Howard University
  • 2024: Expansion and deepened industry participation

Looking Ahead

Drone Academy is more than just a summer program — it’s a launchpad for future engineers, roboticists, and innovators. We’re proud of every student who took on this challenge and came out with new skills, new connections, and a new sense of what’s possible.

Until next year — fly high!