Mission 3: Technical Skills
What are the specific STEM skills you need to fly a drone precisely?
Welcome to Mission 3!
This mission is all about making sure students have the technical skills they need to fly drones. Students will learn how to map airspace, fly multiple drones at the same time safely. In this Mission students will be asked to complete the Trust Test, a FREE online UAS Safety Test. Any recreational flyer in the United States needs to pass the exam to fly legally. This includes all unmanned aerial systems, including drones, RC helicopters, and more.
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
Teacher
Explicitly Teach Students About Growth Mindset
Research spanning decades has revealed the profound impact of individuals' mindsets — their beliefs regarding the fixed or adaptable nature of talent, ability, and intelligence — on their motivation, engagement, and performance.
Research shows that you can help girls develop a growth mindset by explicitly teaching all students what a growth mindset is.
Try using a video to teach students what a growth vs. fixed mindset is.
Remind them that working through problems and having experiments fail is a normal part of the scientific and engineering process.
Make sure you give students time and space to grapple with and process ideas before stepping in to provide support and direction. Then, if you do jump in remind them about having a growth mindset and the work they are doing to “grow” their STEM skills and knowledge.
This will help you reduce the stereotype that people are just born good at STEM and will help students who need more time and practice to understand concepts in STEM - or fly drones - to feel like they still belong in the class and that they can be successful.
Students
Develop a growth mindset through the Affirmation Activities embedded in this mission.
Before the Mission
Coming Soon!
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 portofolio virtually.
3. The Challenges
Challenge 1 - Build Your Flying Skills
Overview
Description: Understand the vocabulary you need to fly drones precisely and practice specific aerial maneuvers.
Time estimate: 45 minutes.
Materials:
Co-drones
Challenge 2: Put Your Flying Skills to Use
Overview
Description: Create and test flight plans to make sure multiple aircraft can use airspace safely.
Time estimate: 45 minutes.
Materials:
CoDrone with controller.
CoDrone battery (charge the batteries before the class!).
2 AA batteries.
Challenge 3: Map Air Space
Overview
Description: Understand what airspace is and be able to read and create maps for flying.
Time estimate: 45 minutes.
Materials:
Images from Mission 3 Challenge 2 “Put your skills to use” (see above).
Airspace map digital template in the Student Portfolio for Mission 3 OR a long, large piece of paper.
⭐ Bonus Challenge: Airspace and Sectional Charts
Overview
Description: In this activity students will learn about the different classes of airspace over the United States as well as how to determine the boundaries of those different classes.
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: Technical Skills mission. This link is NOT a template; the data will go directly to the CAST Research Team.
Certificate of Completion for Technical Skills
On completion of the post-assessment, students will receive a Certificate of Completion for Technical 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 questions!