The “Drone Engineering & Coding Foundations” course is designed for learners in grades 3–8 to answer the question: How do drones fly and how can we control them with code? Students develop an understanding of drone components, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and programming logic while learning to code CoDrones using block-based and/or Python programming. The curriculum blends foundational STEM concepts with hands-on engineering challenges, engaging students in real-world applications of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Course Features:
15 Lesson Hours: The course includes 15 comprehensive lessons covering drone flight principles, coding fundamentals, engineering design, measurement, and data analysis. Lessons can be scaffolded to meet upper elementary and middle school learning levels.

Curriculum and Supporting Materials: Detailed lesson plans, activity guides, student engineering journals, and instructional resources to support effective classroom implementation across grades 3–8.

Ongoing Product and Curriculum Support: Continuous updates and support to ensure the curriculum remains relevant, rigorous, and aligned with STEM standards.

Professional Development: Structured training sessions for educators to confidently deliver drone engineering and coding instruction in both elementary and middle school settings.

Facilitation by a Trained STEM Instructor (Optional): Option to have a certified STEM instructor lead or co-facilitate classroom implementation.

Equipment Included:
Classroom Set of CoDrones: A set of programmable CoDrones for hands-on flight practice, coding challenges, automation missions, and engineering experiments.

Engineering Design Materials: Cardboard sheets, cardstock, colored masking tape, masking tape, graph paper pads, Astrobrights color paper, mini composition notebooks, safety glasses, pocket scale, dehydrated marshmallows, 200-piece wooden craft sticks, 16 ft tape measure, and mini desk fan for aerodynamics and structural testing activities.

Coding Software: Access to CoDrone-compatible coding platforms (block-based and/or Python) for programming flight missions, data collection, and advanced automation challenges.

Professional Development:
Teacher Training: Comprehensive onboarding sessions to equip educators with the knowledge and confidence to teach drone engineering, coding, and applied STEM concepts across grades 3–8.

Ongoing Support: Continued professional development opportunities and technical assistance to ensure successful course implementation.

Additional Information:
Designed for Learners in Grades 3–8: The course is vertically aligned to grow with students, offering foundational coding experiences for younger learners and expanded engineering challenges for middle school students.

Hands-On, Inquiry-Based Learning: Students actively design, test, measure, and iterate through collaborative engineering challenges.

Real-World Applications: Learners explore how drones are used in industries such as agriculture, construction, filmmaking, emergency response, environmental research, and logistics.