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Step 1: Consider signing up for Take Flight Professional Development
Step 1: Consider signing up for Take Flight Professional Development
We offer Take Flight professional development that will help you use the Take Flight curriculum and elevate your drone & STEM instruction. Email takeflight@cast.org for more info!
"Thank you for the awesome professional development. Based on what we learned with CAST, I started using the Drones curriculum and supplies with my students right away. I teach STEAM to the 200 K-2nd grade students. I easily adapted the CAST Take Flight curriculum for their ages and it went SO WELL! The students loved it and picked up the technical skills so quickly. It was perfect for the end of the year too because students had to show that they could follow all the directions each day in order to be trusted with the drones so everyone was highly motivated to watch the great career videos, listen to instructions, and follow all safety rules. I loved it so much that I will be doing it again for grades 3-5 in summer school! Thank you again SO very much for the training, the curriculum, the supplies, and the opportunity to do something so wonderfully impactful for my students and my school."
Step 2: Get your equipment
Step 2: Get your equipment
Here, you'll find a comprehensive guide to all the essential tools and technology needed to navigate the fascinating world of drones.
For funding opportunities, see the FAQ below.
Equipment & Funding FAQs
Equipment & Funding FAQs
Do I have to pay for this out of my own pocket?
Do I have to pay for this out of my own pocket?
Since The Take Flight program is designed to be a Career and Technical Education (CTE) exploratory program, it qualifies for Perkins V funds all the way down to 5th grade. 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.
The National Center on Autonomous Vehicles also provides a Professional Development Grant to cover the cost (or some of the costs) associated with drone professional development for educators. Teachers need to be working with students in 6th grade and up. |
They also loan out Co-Drone kits for free.
The Pitsco Drone Maker Kit offers discounts; contact Jason Seifert at jseifert@pitsco.com or 913-449-8619.
Can I use my own equipment?
Can I use my own equipment?
Yes! If you already have drones for your classroom, you can use those with the Take Flight Curriculum. Ensure you have the additional materials needed in the Equipment Purchasing Guide, such as Lego bricks, orbs, and maps.
Do I need a special license, certification, or insurance to use drones?
Do I need a special license, certification, or insurance to use drones?
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.
Who can I talk to if I have questions about purchasing?
Who can I talk to if I have questions about purchasing?
Email shocking@cast.org and we can provide help with purchasing, curriculum, or anything else you may need.
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