Drone STEM/STEAM Programs: How Your Business Can Benefit In 2023
Drones in STEM and STEAM programs don’t just benefit students. Here’s how they can help your business, too.
The industrial revolution brought about an unprecedented explosion of productivity and the rapid growth of many industries. Unfortunately, that growth too often came at the cost of worker safety and environmental health.
Most of the benefits seen during this period favored businesses and their investors. This quickly became an unsustainable setup in the long term.
Over the years, businesses and society have realized the value of corporative philanthropy.
There are many ways an organization can participate in philanthropic practices. One of the more recent and exciting is investing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs.
So, how can drone STEM and STEAM programs play a vital role in today’s world? Let’s break it down.
Drone STEM/STEAM Programs
Before identifying the benefits of placing corporate philanthropic funds in drone STEM/STEAM programs, let’s discuss what they are.
By itself, STEM/STEAM programs are an education initiative. The curriculum encourages critical thinking, analysis, and collaboration with other students involving real-world concepts. STEM/STEAM programs prepare students for college and their professional life, especially when their tasks are related to math and science.
A few common uses for drones in STEM/STEAM programs include drone assembly, programming, flight skills, and real-world problem-solving.
Building drones can expose students to the entire manufacturing process, from design to assembly. Using UAVs, educators can share considerations in selecting motors, power sources, and airframe design. Students can then see how their choices affect the drone’s ability to fly efficiently once assembled.
More and more professionals are finding work in programming jobs. There are numerous benefits to learning programming skills, especially at an early age. To that end, drones remain an excellent platform for teaching coding.
In fact, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, DJI, was started by a few college friends messing around with coding in a dorm room.
Additionally, learning to fly can improve hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. With drones, every student can experience flying and controlling an aircraft.
Drone technology offers many benefits, from improved efficiency to lower costs.
Many problems can be addressed by using drones. Students can explore how to use a drone to deliver medicine to a remote region or look for a lost child in the desert.
Drone STEM programs can even foster innovative ideas that can make their way into real-world applications.
The Benefits of Investing in Drone STEM/STEAM Programs
Drones are indeed an excellent tool for STEM/STEAM. But, why should your organization invest in this facet of philanthropy instead of the numerous other opportunities out there?
Well, three of the most important reasons to consider are: strengthening your workforce, addressing skills gaps, and building a diverse workforce.
Any business with an eye on longevity must consider the quality of their workforce pipeline.
By donating to drone STEM/STEAM programs, your organization can help develop skills in children that produce a more knowledgeable workforce. Students who participate in programs drone STEM programs develop high-demand skills, such as critical thinking and programming.
And, by sponsoring such programs, you establish your organization early on in the minds of potential future team members.
Many countries face a shortage of people who have the training to work in STEM/STEAM fields. It’s often the case that wealthier nations can provide an education for their citizens, with far more opportunities than less economically prosperous nations can.
Corporate philanthropy can address this inequality.
Drones are relatively inexpensive and, when paired with STEM/STEAM curriculum, have the power to teach much-needed skills. Often, using UAVs, many of the same concepts can be taught at a fraction of the cost seen in traditional methods.
The classic example consists of learning aerodynamics by training on a crewed aircraft versus learning the same concepts with only a small drone.
Key Takeaways
Diversity is strength.
Your organization has much to gain from investing in initiatives encouraging diversity and inclusivity. STEM/STEAM programs with drones can help expose underrepresented groups to technology.
Incorporating drones in STEM/STEAM programs help ensure opportunities in STEM/STEAM fields remain available to individuals from all backgrounds.
With many minority groups seeing underrepresentation in STEM/STEAM-related fields, now’s an ideal time to consider turning that tide. Your corporate philanthropy can help bring equal representation to all STEM/STEAM fields.
Corporate philanthropy is a great way to be socially responsible and strengthen your brand’s image.
STEM/STEAM programs, especially those using drones, are an excellent place to begin investing in a causes that will benefit society now and in the future. It’s yet another way that drones are improving our world.
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So, are you ready to take advantage of drones for your organization? If so, how do you get started? Do you hire out or bring your drone program in-house?
At Consortiq, we help you find a better way with drones, from consultation and program implementation to actually doing the work for you.
And, we specialize in tackling large, challenging projects, so there’s no limits to what you can accomplish.
Ready to learn more? Just complete the form below to schedule a risk-free consultation!
David Daly - Contributing Author
David Daly, is an award-winning photographer/writer and licensed (FAA) Commercial sUAS pilot. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, David is a former Marine Corps officer with a BS in Oceanography and has earned his MBA from the University of Redlands. David has worked for Fortune 100 companies and has a background in aerospace, construction, military/defense, real estate, and technology.
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