Mission 2: Collaboration
What does it take to be part of a team that prepares, flies, and manages an aircraft?
Welcome to Mission 2!
In this mission students form three-person flight crews and open their drone kits. Students take their first drone flights, create protocols and checklists for managing equipment, learn flight crew roles, and plan and then test safety protocols as they practice flight crew roles and responsibilities.
Office Hours (Zoom Link): If you need assistance with the Take Flight Curriculum or you have general questions about the program please join us for monthly virtual office hours from 4:00-5:00 p.m. (EST). Office Hour Dates: Jan - 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30; Feb - 13 & 27; March - 13 & 27; April - 10 & 24; May - 8 & 22; June - 5 & 19.
Overview
1.Before the Mission
Motivational Moves
Promote a sense of belonging in STEM by using gender-based grouping.
Teacher
Use Gender-Based Grouping
People must be able collaborate if they want to solve complex problems like those found in STEM fields. Research tells us that just putting students into groups is not enough. For true collaboration to take place students need to know their roles and they need support.
Single-gendered grouping helps girls develop skills faster and they are more likely to participate in activities compared to co-ed grouping (Bender & Litfin, 2015).
For this mission grouping is especially important. Consider creating gender-based groups. All girl groups can foster a sense of belonging for girls. For example, in a group with all girls students may feel less pressure, since their peers have the same flying skills as they do. In all girl groups female students might be more willing to take a risk, or they may feel more comfortable asking questions.
Students
Build their sense of Belonging in STEM through activities in the Student Portfolio.
Watch this video to learn additional ways you can create a sense of belonging in your classroom and help motivate female students to consider STEM careers!
Before the Mission
All the information you need to get started with Mission 2 is in this document below. Remember this document is where you can find the Landing Assessment questions and answers and Lessons from the Field (advice and suggestions from educators who have used Take Flight before).
2. Student Portfolio
Print or Work Online
Every student will need a copy!
This portfolio is where students can capture their learning. They can take notes, make drawings, and document what they do. You can print a copy or share the portfolio virtually.
3. The Challenges
Challenge 1: First Flight
Overview
Description: Students take their first drone flights and use that experience to begin developing a team flight manual.
Time estimate: 2 class periods (90 minutes)
Materials:
Each group of 3 students will need:
CoDrone with controller
CoDrone battery (charge the batteries before the class!)
2 AA batteries
⭐ Bonus Challenge: Tell Your Story with Photos
Overview
Discover how photos can be used to tell a story, and how the specific choices a photographer makes can influence that story. Ultimately, you can use these skills to document your flight activities.
Challenge 2: Flight Crews
Overview
Description: Students learn and practice flight crew roles, then plan, build, and test their flight crew safety norms.
Time estimate: 2 class periods (90 minutes)
Curriculum Standards: Flight Crews
Materials:
CoDrone with controller
CoDrone battery (charge the batteries before the class!)
2 AA batteries
4. Mission Landing
Landing Assessment 🚩 Required
Landing Assessment Questions & Answers
At the end of each mission is a Landing Assessment. This Assessment consists of a 5-10 question multiple choice quiz and a few open-ended questions. After completing this assessment students receive a downloadable certificate of completion for the STEM: Collaboration mission. This link is NOT a template; the data will go directly to the CAST Research Team.
Certificate of Completion for Communication Skills
On completion of the post-assessment, students will receive a Certificate of Completion for STEM Communication Skills.
5. Teacher Forum
Need Help?
If you get stuck at any point during this mission, please contact takeflight@cast.org for help.
Connect with Other Take Flight Educators
Use the Padlet below to connect with other teachers, see ideas and inspiration, or ask your questions!