North Gwinnett News

Drones have become an integral part of Gwinnett County Public Schools' (GCPS) educational approach since 2018, enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning. These devices offer students practical experiences that make STEM subjects more engaging.

Kristin Luthi, K-5 Science Director, emphasized the importance of drones in education: “Integrating drones into school instruction is crucial because it provides hands-on learning experiences that make STEM education more engaging and practical. Students gain future-ready skills such as coding, data analysis, and technology proficiency, which are essential in today’s job market.” She added that drones also promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills through real-world applications.

Hopkins Elementary School recently hosted a drone demonstration to showcase their students' abilities. The school's Robot Drone League team allows students to engage with specific drones and participate in competitions. During the event, students demonstrated their skills in operating drones for missions and showcased their rover driving and block coding capabilities.

The Robot Drone League collaborated with Hopkins for this event and awarded the students a showcase award. The Hopkins drone team is set to compete in Tennessee on January 25 against other student teams.

Assistant Principal Yerisson Cardenas highlighted the educational benefits of using drones: “Using drones allows students to think outside the box; the solutions don’t just present themselves on an answer sheet. Our students must problem solve and use block coding to determine how to move the drones about.” He noted that while many principles are taught at an elementary level, they challenge students beyond traditional classroom settings.

Drones are not only valuable in education but also have applications in various career fields such as real estate, construction, and agriculture. They assist with measurements, inspections, marketing, among other tasks.

GCPS continues to provide diverse learning opportunities through innovative tools like drones. More information about STEM education can be found on the district’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education page.