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Take Flight is a flexible, evidence-based program that uses drones to make learning STEM engaging, accessible, and meaningful.
How it works
How it works
After 10 weeks of hands-on STEM curriculum, students will be innovative thinkers, confident problem-solvers, and equipped with real-world STEM skills.
6 Missions
6 Missions
Take Flight has 6 missions that each focus on their own important STEM theme. Each mission takes about 2-3 hours and contains 2-3 challenges.
18 Challenges
18 Challenges
Each challenge ranges from 15-90 minutes. The challenges are presented as downloadable Google slide decks. They provide the structure you need to introduce content and activities. You can present the decks, delete slides, print them out… whatever works best for your class!
5 Landing Assessments
5 Landing Assessments
At the end of each mission, students complete a multiple choice landing assessment that rewards them with a downloadable certificate of completion.
1 Portfolio
1 Portfolio
Students will create a portfolio for each of the 6 missions. The portfolio is where students compile and collect information, data, evidence, images, and reflections. Students will use this information to create their final projects in Mission 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't have experience with drones?
What if I don't have experience with drones?
Take Flight is easy to use, even for educators who haven't flown drones before. The curricular materials are included, but most teachers (even with drone experience) benefit from hands-on professional development offered by CAST. Email shocking@cast.org for more info about professional development.
How much does Take Flight cost?
How much does Take Flight cost?
As a grant funded by the National Science Foundation, The Take Flight curriculum is free forever! Drones are not included, however, we have found that Take Flight is more impactful when educators choose to participate in our engaging, full-day Take Flight training. Email shocking@cast.org for more info.
How can I pay for this?
How can I pay for this?
Did you know you can spend Perkins V funds all the way down to 5th grade? Your administration may not know this but you can! The Take Flight program is designed to be a Career and Technical Education (CTE) exploratory program. Highlight this with your administrative team or local CTE Director or high school CTE teacher (in aviation, manufacturing, etc) and see if they have CTE funds you can leverage to buy more drones or create a middle school drone competition team.
Do I need a special license, certification, or insurance to use Take Flight?
Do I need a special license, certification, or insurance to use Take Flight?
No! The FAA doesn't control or monitor drones if they don't fly outside. You’re also not compelled to register with the FAA if your drone weighs less than half a pound (8.8 ounces) and is flown exclusively under the Exception for Recreational Flyers. The Take Flight drones are truly the equivalent of using a robot in the classroom.
Are drones dangerous?
Are drones dangerous?
The drones used in Take Flight are made of plastic and very safe. As of March 2023, there were over 1.1 million recreational drones registered with the FAA and 9 reported injuries. That is a rate of 0.000818%.
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