Published February 9, 2024
Additional Hands-On Heroes articles:
Two years after being awarded a $24.7 million federal grant, Alabama State University’s (ASU) Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) is going from strength to strength under the leadership of Project Director, Jia O. Ross, Principal Investigator, Dr. Carl Pettis and Co-Principal Investigators, Dr. Kennedy Wekesa and Dr. Tanjula Petty.
Serving around 4,500 pupils across the Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) district, the program aims to increase the number of low-income students who enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The initiative has been a big hit with its interactive Drone Club proving particularly popular with students.
A HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Initially rolled out across 10 MPS middle
schools in the fall of 2022, the GEAR UP Drone
Club gives middle and high school students
the chance to learn practical skills in drone
operation, programming, and maintenance.
“This program provides students with
hands-on learning experiences with
drones that are not typically found
in the traditional classroom setting,”
explains GEAR UP Partner Coordinator
Imma Sanders. As well as building on
their technical knowledge, students
are introduced to the occupations
and education opportunities in the
dynamic and rapidly growing industry
of drone technology.
Of course, launching and running
any successful STEM club is never easy;
finding suitable resources and training
club leaders can be especially challenging.
Luckily, the GEAR UP team was able to utilize
ASU’s existing connections with Pitsco to ensure the process went smoothly.
“Alabama State University has a history
of working with Pitsco to provide
the University with excellent STEM
services [. . .] so, we naturally wanted to
continue the partnership,” says Sanders.
She particularly liked the way Education
Advisor Ronnie Thomas and the rest of the
Pitsco team focused on selecting products
that aligned with the program’s goals. “They
provided thorough insight on the available
drone educational kits and resources offered by
Pitsco. Factors such as curriculum compatibility,
durability of equipment, and industry relevance
played a crucial role in the selection process.”
“IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT TECHNICAL SKILLS”
With the support of Pitsco’s drone products
and expert tuition, students’ confidence
in their technical abilities is soaring. But, as
Sanders points out, the positive effects don’t
stop there. “The overall impact is not just
about technical skills; it’s about shaping well-rounded
individuals who are equipped with
the skills, mindset, and confidence to thrive in
a rapidly evolving technological landscape.”
The initiative has clearly struck a chord
with students, educators, and parents alike.
The GEAR UP Drone Club is now present and
active in 16 MPS schools, with an exciting
two-day competition planned for spring 2024.
The competition, which brings together
GEAR UP Drone Clubs from different MPS
schools, will challenge students’ knowledge of
drone operation, critical-thinking and problem-solving
skills, as well as their ability to work as a
team. It’s something that would have seemed
inconceivable just a few years ago.
For other educators who might be
considering launching their own drone club,
Sanders has some words of advice: “It is
important that you understand the needs
and interests of your students and tailor the
program to support these, as well as the skills
that are in demand within the job market.
“Starting a drone program takes dedication
and commitment to providing students
with valuable skills for their future careers.”
However, as pupils from across the MPS
district will testify, the profound and long-lasting
impact it has on young people’s lives is
undoubtedly worth all the hard work.
Read all articles in our full publication, Hands-On Heroes: CTE Stories of Innovation and Impact.