Jennifer Platek

Platek’s innovative teach project, “Propelling Innovation: Class Drones,” is a hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-based course where the middle school students at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School will build, calibrate and fly their own quadcopters. Through the project, Platek hopes students expand their knowledge of abstract mathematics and engineering concepts and grow them into real-world applications. According to Platek, middle school is a critical time for students to expand on their curiosity in STEM topics, and building and flying drones is an excellent project to ignite students’ passion for engineering. By building and then flying the drones, students will move outside of textbook learning and into more of a maker mindset. She says the Voya grant will be used to launch their Basic Propelling Innovation course, which includes the Pitsco Middle School Drone Engineering program, safety glasses, waterproof landing pads and a digital inspection camera.