Drone Maker: Build, Code & Fly with AR for Teen

Length: 1 week

Accreditation: Fully WASC Accredited (The Gold Standard in K-12 Education)

Prerequisite: None

DESCRIPTION

Take command of the skies! Teen enthusiasts will transform into Drone Engineers in this inspiring 1-week journey into flight dynamics and programming.

No experience needed—everyone learns at their own pace, with extra challenges for students who are ready for more.

This isn't about just manually flying a drone; it’s about engineering the flight. Students dive into the physics of aerodynamics, understanding how lift, drag, and thrust manipulate a machine in mid-air. Moving beyond simple remote controls, students learn to code their drones using Python to execute precision maneuvers. Finally, they merge the physical and digital worlds, using Holographic AR to visualize flight data and control their drones through immersive virtual terrains in the real world.

Along the way, campers build creativity, critical thinking, and persistence as they debug and improve the drone systems.

Experience the Magic of Drones + AR: We combine mechanical engineering with the excitement of Augmented Reality.

• Engineer the Flight: Students don't just fly; they analyze. They explore the mechanics behind the machine, learning how motors and sensors achieve stability.
• Code with Python: Forget simple joysticks. Students become the Mission Commander, writing Python code to program flight paths.
• AR Flight Simulation: Using Holographic AR, the classroom becomes a futuristic landscape. Students program their physical drone to navigate digital obstacles.

Hardware Provided:

• Programmable Drone with Camera: A drone designed for coding and flight mechanics exploration with PicoW (industry standard).
• Note: Hardware is provided for camp use only.

What You Will Do:

• Analyze Aerodynamics: Learn the physics of flight and how to manipulate a drone's movement through code.
• Program Flight Paths: Use Python to code automated take-offs, landings, and aerial maneuvers.
• AR Design: Create and navigate interactive AR environments so you can step into the drone world.
• Debug & Iterate: Test your code, watch the flight, and refine your logic to achieve the perfect run.

Students will learn the following:

• Introductory Drone Engineering (Teen Level)
• Introductory Drone Coding (Teen Level)
• Python Coding (Teen Level)
• Holographic AR Design & Logic for Drone Control (Teen Level)
• UI/UX Design (Teen Level)
• Interactive Storytelling for Drone Applications (Teen Level)
• Intro to Spatial Reasoning & Navigation (Teen Level)
• Debugging & Problem-Solving (Teen Level)  

⚠️ Essential Safety & Readiness Guide (Please Read) To ensure a safe and happy camp for our participants, please ensure your child is ready for the following:

• Safety First (Strictly Indoor): Drones are regulated by the FAA and local government. Students are not allowed to fly drones outside of the classroom or outside of our designated safety nets. Students must have the maturity to follow these boundaries and listen to the instructor immediately.
• Hair & Clothing: For safety, students with long hair must tie it back, and loose clothing/drawstrings should be tucked in to prevent tangling with fast-spinning propellers.
• Focus & Patience: Coding flight takes practice! Students should be ready to try, crash (safely), and try again.