What Students Learn

Students explore the physics of flight by investigating the relationship between weight, balance, and energy consumption. They learn to systematically collect data, calculate averages, and rate flight stability on a 1–5 scale. Through competition, they understand how drones provide critical support in hazardous environments and the importance of specialized team roles like Safety Officers and Mission Planners.

What Students Do

After a video game-themed icebreaker, teams fly Hopper with extra batteries taped to the frame to record changes in flight time and stability. In the "Blaze Busters" challenge, students pilot drones into 6-foot towers to "extinguish" fire emblems by entering color-coded zones and landing safely to earn points. They rotate pilot roles, track scores on a leaderboard, and conclude by performing a final equipment inventory.