In this episode, we’re taking coding off the screen and into the air! Rach shares how she used DroneBlocks and Tello drones as part of a cross-curricular STEM project exploring the sustainability of a local river.

Key Takeaways

• DroneBlocks is a great place to begin with a whole-class drone experience, allowing students to practise coding and test flight paths in a simulator before moving to physical drones.
• Tello drones can bring coding to life by allowing students to see their algorithms control a real-world device.
• Plan for technology to be temperamental! Battery life, connectivity and equipment faults can have a big impact, so having technical support and backup activities is valuable.
• Create a clearly defined flying zone and establish safety routines before launching the drones, including goggles, tied-back hair and keeping students behind a designated boundary.
• You don't need a drone for every student. Small groups or rotating activities can provide opportunities to code and fly without having a whole class of drones in the air at once.
• Drones offer rich cross-curricular opportunities, connecting digital technologies with science, mathematics, engineering, geography, design thinking and creative arts.
• Be prepared to experiment alongside your students. You don't need to have everything worked out before giving a new technology a go — sometimes the unexpected learning is the best part.

Resources mentioned

• DroneBlocks
• Droneblocks FREE ‘Crazyflie Simulator (follow the link to grab the pin - top tip, write it on your board for the month and leave it there!)
• Tello drones