A new club at Sandusky Middle School is teaching students the fundamentals of aviation and drone technology. Led by technology education teacher Lewis Watson, the drone club provides a fun way for students to explore a growing industry while building teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Drone club members build on the knowledge they gain in Watson’s technology education classes, in which students get a taste of a variety of career fields. Sandusky Middle received brand-new equipment for use in Watson’s class this year, including operational drones.
Students took a particular interest in learning to fly them, and Watson saw the potential to dive deeper into the world of drone technology through an after-school club. Thus, the drone club was born.
“The drone club emphasizes introducing students to the technology of flight and drones, and to the different careers that are available in the field,” Watson said. “It provides students with opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom using hands-on learning.”
Students are training to compete against other school clubs. They’ve spent the school year learning about how drone technology works and practicing their flying skills.
This spring, students took a field trip to Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics, where Liberty staff and students shared aviation insights, provided hands-on drone demonstrations, and showed off the school’s real aircraft. Students even got to sit in the pilot’s seat with the school’s state-of-the-art flight simulators.
“If I want to be a pilot, then this helps me because I prepared in middle school, and I can keep going,” said Sandusky Middle student Wakeiyah Nelson.
The field trip provided opportunities for Sandusky Middle students to interact with industry professionals and connect what they’re learning at school to the real world.
“Drone technology is an emerging field that offers many high-paying career options for students. The fact that Sandusky Middle students are starting to explore drone aeronautics and basic coding skills early puts them ahead of the majority of students their age,” said Jack Shulz, a student success coordinator for Liberty’s School of Aeronautics.
Drone operators are in demand for agriculture, land surveying, security, law enforcement, firefighting, military, photography, videography, and more. Salaries are often high, making the field a desirable career option.
“I like to introduce them to it early because the earlier they start, the better off they'll be,” Watson said. “So as they go through high school, they get to build upon the skill. And then by the time they ideally hit college level, they're really ready to be employed.”
As the club continues to grow and evolve, Watson hopes it will help set students up for future success. Whether they’re considering a future career in the industry or just looking to learn something new, the drone club is a way for students to gain specialized expertise in a supportive environment. Along the way, they develop important soft skills like critical thinking, leadership, collaboration, and more.
“We learn how to problem-solve, do teamwork, and maneuver in tight situations,” said Sandusky Middle student Tobias Robertson.
