Aerium Teachers' Workshop: Integrating Drones/Aviation into Your Curriculum
This comprehensive training program is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to introduce drone technology into their classrooms. Over three immersive days, you'll learn how to make aviation accessible to your students through remote piloting instruction, combining FAA aviation concepts with STEM-based teaching. Whether your students are college-bound or workforce-oriented, this hands-on curriculum provides valuable experience in the growing drone economy. You'll leave with practical tools, certification knowledge, and experiential teaching methods that will engage students and open doors to exciting career pathways.
The Pilot Mind Drone Academy
1192 Sathers Drive
Pittston Twp, PA 18640
570-550-0774 p
[email protected]

SUMMER TEACHERS' WORKSHOP
August 4, 5, and 6, 2025 from 9am to 3pm
Program Overview and Mission
1
Day 1: Taking Flight with Your Students
Begin your journey with training orientation, FAA Part 107 introduction, and hands-on experience with The Hover Table. Explore careers in the drone economy through experiential labs.
2
Day 2: Staying Aloft in the Classroom
Deepen your knowledge with additional FAA Part 107 material, progress toward HVR certification, and participate in agriculture-focused experiential labs.
3
Day 3: Safe Landings to Keep Students Engaged
Meet with Aerium's Executive Director, take a sample FAA quiz, explore broadcasting applications, expand student skills, and receive your HVR certification.
Our Mission
At Aerium, we believe in making aviation accessible to all students through remote piloting education. Our mission is to equip teachers with the resources, knowledge, and confidence to introduce drone technology in educational settings. By combining rigorous FAA aviation concepts with engaging STEM-based instruction, we've created a curriculum that serves students across diverse educational and career paths.
This program is specifically designed to appeal to both college-bound students and those entering the workforce directly after high school. The hands-on, experiential nature of drone education creates natural pathways to career opportunities in the rapidly expanding drone economy while building critical thinking and technical skills valuable in any future endeavor.
Our approach bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring students develop a comprehensive understanding of drone technology, regulations, and career possibilities. By empowering educators like you, we're creating a ripple effect that will inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, technologists, and innovators.

The training runs Monday through Wednesday, August 4-6, 2025, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily. Lunch will be provided each day by The Pilot Mind. Dress code is casual, as activities will take place both indoors and outdoors.
Our Daily Flight Plan (Aug 4-6, 2025)
Day 01: Taking Flight with Your Students
Start your journey with training orientation and an introduction to FAA Part 107 regulations. Gain hands-on experience with The Hover Table, a dynamic drone playground, and explore careers in the booming #DroneEconomy through experiential labs.
Day 02: Staying Aloft in the Classroom
Deepen your knowledge with more FAA Part 107 content, integrating STEM into pilot training. Progress towards HVR certification and engage in specialized experiential labs focused on agricultural drone applications.
Day 03: Safe Landings to Keep Students Engaged
Reconnect and share ideas, followed by a visit from Glenn Ponas (ED at Aerium). Test your knowledge with an FAA Part 107 sample quiz. Explore broadcasting applications and expand student skills before receiving your HVR certification.
Note: Lunch will be provided each day by The Pilot Mind.
Day 01: Taking Flight w/ Your Students
9:00 to 9:30 am Training Orientation: What you’ll learn. How you’ll teach. Tools inventory.
9:30 to 10:30 am FAA Part 107 Introduction: An indispensable part of drone piloting!
10:30 to 11:00 am The Hover Table: Your classroom drone playground
11:00 to noon Introduction to The Hover Table Training and Testing
Noon to 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 to 2:30 pm Experiential Labs (Careers in the #DroneEconomy)
2:30 to 3:00 pm Recap and Prep for Next Day
Day 02: Staying Aloft in the Classroom
9:00 to 9:30 am Reconnect and Share Ideas
9:30 to 10:30 am More FAA Part 107: Integrating STEM into Pilot Knowledge Training
10:30 to noon HVR Certs: Closer to becoming a remote pilot
Noon to 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 to 2:30 pm Experiential Labs (Agriculture)
2:30 to 3:00 pm Recap and Prep for Next Day
Day 03: Safe Landings to Keep Students Engaged
9:00 to 9:30 am Reconnect and Share Ideas
9:30 to 11:00 am Visit from Glenn Ponas (ED at Aerium)
11:00 to noon FAA Part 107 Sample Quiz
Noon to 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 to 2:00 pm Experiential Labs (Broadcasting)
2:00 to 2:45 pm The Hover Table: Expanding Student Skills
2:45 to 3:00 pm HVR Certs given out.
Training Equipment and Resources
Aerium's teacher training program provides you with all the necessary tools to implement drone education in your classroom immediately. No prior drone experience is required—our comprehensive approach ensures you'll return to your school fully equipped with both knowledge and hardware.
The DJI Neo drone is specially selected for educational environments. Its compact size and enhanced safety features make it ideal for indoor flight, allowing students to practice piloting skills without weather concerns or extensive space requirements.
Your Classroom Drone Kit
Upon completion of the training, you'll receive a complete educational drone package to take back to your classroom. This kit is valued at over $800 and gives you everything needed to start teaching drone concepts immediately.
  • DJI Neo drone – Small, safe, and specifically designed for indoor flight
  • DJI RC2 controller – Professional-grade and compatible with multiple drone systems
  • The Hover Table with comprehensive instruction manual
  • Digital curriculum resources and lesson plans
The Hover Table: A Drone Playground in Your Classroom
A centerpiece of our educational approach is The Hover Table—an innovative training platform designed specifically for classroom use. This controlled environment allows students to develop precise piloting skills through structured exercises while minimizing risk. The table serves multiple functions:
1
Skill Development
Students practice fundamental piloting maneuvers including takeoff, hovering, directional control, and landing in a contained space.
2
Assessment Platform
The table includes standardized testing scenarios to evaluate student competency and readiness for more advanced flight operations.
3
Safety Framework
Designed with physical boundaries to prevent flyaways and crashes, the table provides a safe learning environment for beginners.
4
Curriculum Integration
The accompanying manual includes progressive lessons that connect piloting skills with academic subjects from physics to geography.
All equipment is yours to keep after the training, ensuring you can implement your new knowledge immediately. The comprehensive instruction manual provides structured activities and assessment criteria to help you integrate these tools into your existing curriculum.
FAA Part 107 and Regulatory Knowledge
A fundamental component of drone education is understanding the regulatory framework that governs unmanned aircraft operations. Throughout our three-day training, you'll receive comprehensive instruction on FAA Part 107 regulations—the essential knowledge required for commercial drone pilots in the United States.
Why FAA Part 107 Matters in Education
The Part 107 knowledge base represents more than just rules and regulations—it's a structured curriculum that naturally integrates STEM concepts across multiple disciplines. By teaching these standards, you provide students with:
Certification Pathway
Students gain knowledge that directly prepares them for obtaining an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate—a professional credential recognized throughout the industry.
Applied Physics
Weather patterns, density altitude, and flight dynamics concepts become relevant through their practical application to drone operations.
Geographic Literacy
Airspace classification, sectional charts, and map reading skills develop essential spatial awareness and navigation abilities.
Decision-Making
Risk assessment, emergency procedures, and operational planning foster critical thinking and responsible decision-making.
Our Training Approach
Over the three days, you'll experience a progressive introduction to Part 107 knowledge areas:
  • Day 1: Fundamental concepts and introduction to regulatory framework
  • Day 2: Integration of STEM principles into pilot knowledge training
  • Day 3: Sample quiz and practical application scenarios
Each session builds upon previous knowledge, demonstrating how to present complex regulatory information in engaging, age-appropriate ways. You'll receive classroom-ready materials that transform technical content into interactive lessons, including visual aids, practical exercises, and assessment tools.
The culminating sample quiz on Day 3 will demonstrate your readiness to guide students through this material and identify areas for further exploration. While this training doesn't provide an official FAA certification, it equips you with the knowledge to prepare students for their own certification journey should they choose to pursue it.
Experiential Labs and Career Connections
One of the most powerful aspects of drone education is its direct connection to real-world applications and careers. Each afternoon of our training includes immersive experiential labs that demonstrate how drone technology is transforming different industries. These sessions not only provide engaging teaching models but also help you illustrate tangible career pathways for your students.
Agricultural Applications
Experience how drones revolutionize farming through crop monitoring, soil analysis, and precision agriculture. Students will learn about multispectral imaging, data analysis, and how drones help farmers maximize yields while minimizing environmental impact.
Broadcasting & Media
Explore aerial cinematography techniques that have transformed film, television, news, and sports broadcasting. Learn basic shot composition, camera movements, and storytelling principles that integrate visual arts with technical flying skills.
Inspection & Engineering
Discover how drones conduct infrastructure inspections, survey land, and support engineering projects. This lab demonstrates how drones reduce risk, save time, and provide valuable data in construction, utilities, and industrial settings.
The Growing Drone Economy
The drone industry is experiencing explosive growth, creating diverse career opportunities for students with varying educational backgrounds and interests. Our program helps you connect classroom learning to this expanding job market.
HVR Certification Program
A key component of our training is introduction to the HVR Certification program—an industry-recognized credential that validates student competency in drone operations. This progressive certification system:
  • Provides structured skill benchmarks for students to achieve
  • Creates a credential students can include on college applications or resumes
  • Differentiates skill levels from beginner to advanced operations
  • Connects classroom learning to industry standards
By the conclusion of our training, you'll receive your own HVR Certification and gain the knowledge to guide students through this certification process. This framework gives purpose and progression to your drone curriculum while providing students with tangible evidence of their accomplishments.
Implementation Strategies and Teaching Resources
Curriculum Integration Models
Introducing drone education into your existing curriculum can take many forms. Our training provides flexible implementation strategies that work across diverse educational settings:
Standalone Elective Course
A dedicated semester or year-long drone technology course focusing on comprehensive pilot training and industry applications.
STEM Integration Units
Modular drone activities that supplement existing science, technology, engineering, or math courses with relevant hands-on applications.
Career/Technical Education Pathway
Structured progression of drone skills and knowledge aligned with industry certifications and workforce readiness.
After-School Program
Extracurricular drone club or activity providing supplemental skill development outside traditional class time.
Throughout the training, you'll explore various teaching methodologies that accommodate different learning styles and classroom configurations. From small group rotations to whole-class demonstrations, you'll learn effective strategies for maximizing student engagement with limited equipment.
Ongoing Support and Resources
Your journey with Aerium doesn't end after these three days. We're committed to your long-term success implementing drone education:
  • Digital Resource Library: Access to constantly updated lesson plans, assessment tools, and student activities
  • Teacher Community: Join our network of drone educators to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and collaborate on new ideas
  • Technical Support: Dedicated assistance for equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
  • Professional Development: Opportunities for advanced certifications and specialized training
  • Industry Connections: Links to drone companies, professionals, and potential field trip or guest speaker opportunities
Measuring Success
Effective drone education creates multiple pathways for student success. Throughout our training, we'll discuss strategies for assessing student progress and program effectiveness:
91%
Student Engagement
Percentage of students reporting increased interest in STEM subjects after drone curriculum introduction
78%
Skills Transfer
Percentage of teachers reporting improved student performance in related academic areas
65%
Career Interest
Percentage of students expressing interest in aviation or drone-related careers after program completion
"Incorporating drones into my science curriculum transformed student engagement overnight. Students who struggled with abstract concepts suddenly became classroom leaders when they could visualize and apply physics principles through flight dynamics. The Aerium training gave me both the confidence and resources to make this transformation possible."
— Jennifer Reynolds, Science Teacher, Washington High School
We look forward to welcoming you to this transformative training experience. By equipping educators like you with drone technology skills and resources, we're opening new horizons for students and preparing them for success in an increasingly technological world. Together, we'll make aviation accessible to all students and inspire the next generation of innovators.