Drones! Saving At-Risk Students With Project Based Learning

My Students

Our school has launched a Project Based Learning Academy to re-engage at-risk students with highly motivating projects. I need to buy drones with various functionalities for a Drone Re-design/3D Printing Project where students will modify drones to increase durability and perform practical tasks.

Not all students flourish in a traditional classroom setting.

Despite the best efforts of teachers and parents, some students become disengaged or are under-engaged. These are the students with so much potential you could cry, because they are smart and yet failing in school. Our District Mission is to provide an educational environment that allows each of our students to achieve to his or her highest potential. So, our district has launched a multi-grade level, Project Based Learning Academy within our middle school. Instead of having core classes in subject areas, we'll be using the PBL approach to naturally integrate content into highly engaging and challenging projects. Our focus will be on 21st Century skills, authenticity, and student directed problem-solving. Students will need to design and create 3D printed modifications to solve drone breakability issues and perform a student defined, practical, task. Their modified drones will be reviewed by local engineers.

My Project

A number of our STEM PBL projects will be focused on robotics and drones. Students will also have access to a small 3D printer in our classroom and have ready access to a Makerspace with larger 3D printers and a metal milling machine. Students will use the drones in this request to master drone flight and operation skills and compare their designs and functionality from a number of companies. An interim work product will be a web based, comparative review of the drones and operating systems for consumers. Students will then research various, existing options to improve drone durability and design an a solution for theirs. Students will move through the design to production engineering stages to create 3D printed modifications and parts for a selected drone. Their final STEM project will be to create either a terrestrial or flight capable drone to complete a student defined, practical mission. Engineers from a local robotics firm will judge the students' modified drones.

My students are our most at-risk students for not only continued failures, but also for dropping out.

Our goal is to radically change that possible future and make a life changing difference in their lives. To do this, we need to begin with things that interest them and build from there. Drones are highly engaging for this age group and likely to inspire their creativity and imagination. I would greatly appreciate your help. Together, we can make a transformative change in my students lives.