This semester, 8th-grade students in the Butler Tech Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Flight & Space course at Liberty Junior School in Lakota Local School District, achieved an impressive milestone by earning their FAA Drone TRUST certification, a credential that grants them the knowledge and legal authority to fly recreational drones in U.S. airspace. Through hands-on challenges and lessons, the students explored the world of aviation and built skills that could shape future career interests in fields like engineering, technology, and aviation.
The Flight & Space course guides students through project-based experiences in aviation science. Beginning with the basics of flight—exploring its history, core principles, and the physics behind lift and thrust—students applied their learning in increasingly complex ways. Their journey started with paper airplane prototypes to explore aerodynamics, and soon they advanced to maneuvering drones, gaining hours of practice in controlled flight and tackling technical challenges.
Using Codrone EDU drones, students completed a series of activities designed to teach them safe handling, spatial awareness, and three-dimensional control. Their certification training included over 16 hours of flight time, where they applied the skills necessary to earn the FAA TRUST credential. In learning to control pitch, roll, and yaw, students gained perspective on how drones are used across various industries—from mapping and surveying to search and rescue.
The course also emphasizes career exploration, encouraging students to see potential applications of drone technology in the real world. Some students were particularly drawn to the idea of using drones in innovative and impactful ways, and the experience helped them consider how this technology could play a role in future careers. For a few students, the experience even sparked aspirations related to aviation, as they envisioned pathways that build on these new skills.
For the instructor, Mr. Hodge, the highlight of the course is watching students realize that their learning goes beyond classroom challenges. The semester doesn’t end with drones; students now turn their attention to space exploration. They’ll dive into topics like lunar landings, astronaut training, and the future of space travel before culminating the course with a Mars landing simulation—applying everything they’ve learned to design and plan a habitat and sustainable settlement on the Red Planet.
By the end of the semester, these 8th graders will not only have FAA certification but also a newfound understanding of how technology connects with the real world, sparking interests that could guide them into advanced programs in high school and beyond.
