Students in engineering design process and applied research

Abstract

The overarching goal of Elizabeth City State University's (ECSU's) Drone Exploration Academy is to capitalize on the increasing popularity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as Drones, to spark student interest and provide an experiential learning opportunity (ELO) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Drones, which have become a popular recreational tool among youth, are ideal platforms with enormous scientific value for engaging students in hands-on, inquiry-based learning to develop science and math skills, thereby focusing on the importance of these skills to succeed in college. The Drone Exploration Academy curriculum included at its core the drone design and build, sensor/payload, programming, and piloting to conduct a field-based scientific investigation. The learning activities were carefully designed to meet the Next Generation Science Standards and the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Science and Mathematics. The Drone Exploration Academy served eighty-three (83) high school students, with 59.04% Male and 40.96% Female participants. The participants received approximately forty (40) hours of hands-on STEM learning. Approximately, 60% of student participants were from underrepresented groups in STEM. Project evaluation data was gathered through Student Feedback Surveys, Dimensions of Success (DoS) Observation tool, and pre/post topic self-efficacy questionnaire.