I’m preparing to teach a technology course for middle school students, and my admin wants me to include drones in the curriculum. I need to recommend drones to purchase for a class of 36 students working in pairs (18 groups). We’ll have five periods daily, which means the drones will get a lot of use.
The students (and I) are all beginners, so I’m looking for durable, budget-friendly quadcopter drones that can survive middle schoolers. Ideally, a bundle that includes coding and programming software would be great. I’m in California, if that impacts any legal or environmental considerations.
What else should I be thinking about? I’ve started researching but still feel overwhelmed. Are there specific laws I need to know about before kids start flying? Any advice on batteries, maintenance, or controllers? What about simulators for practice?
Using a drone simulator is a great way to start. It helps students get comfortable with controls before flying a real drone, reducing crashes. However, many simulators need PCs or specific controllers, so check compatibility with your school’s Chromebooks.
Riley said: @EvansBrown14
We only have Chromebooks. Are there any simulators that work with them?
There’s a beta of Steam for Chromebooks, and games like Uncrashed or Liftoff are in the Steam library. They are paid, though. Check if there’s an educational license for Steam to keep costs low.
@EvansBrown14
RealFlight is another option if you have access to PCs. It comes bundled with USB controllers and is great for beginners. It’s easier to reset a crash in a simulator than to fix broken drones after every lesson.
Middle schools don’t automatically qualify for the educational exemption under Section 44809, so you’ll need a Part 107 license or sponsorship by a community-based organization (CBO).
@Devon
Thanks for the link. I think I’ll need a Part 107 because it’s a middle school class. What is Part 107, and how do I apply? Also, what’s a FRIA? Do I need one for outdoor flights?
Riley said: @Devon
Thanks for the link. I think I’ll need a Part 107 because it’s a middle school class. What is Part 107, and how do I apply? Also, what’s a FRIA? Do I need one for outdoor flights?
Part 107 is a certification required for non-recreational drone use. It costs $175 and doesn’t expire, but you’ll need to take a free online training course every two years to stay current. A FRIA is a special zone where you can fly drones without needing remote ID. To get one, you’d need help from a CBO like a local model airplane club.
Riley said: @Devon
Thanks! Are there specific requirements I need to meet before applying for Part 107?
Not really. You just need to pass a test covering airspace rules, safety, and regulations. There are free resources online, like the Pilot Institute or Mr. Mig on YouTube, to help you study.
If you want drones designed for education, consider Codrones or Bitcraze Crazyflie drones. They’re focused on STEM learning and offer coding integration. DJI used to make the Tello, which was perfect for beginners, but it’s hard to find now.
For your teacher model, I’d recommend a DJI Mini 3 or 4. They’re great for demos and relatively affordable. Just keep in mind DJI drones require app-based control and aren’t easily repairable. Also, watch out for potential restrictions on Chinese-made drones like DJI.
Riley said:
Update: I can also get a higher-quality drone for teacher demos. Any recommendations under $1,000?
It depends on whether you want a camera drone or an FPV drone. Camera drones are easier to fly and come with autopilot features, while FPV drones are more hands-on and require advanced skills. For your needs, a camera drone like the DJI Mini 4 would be the better option.
If you want a simulator, check out DroneBlocks. It’s free, works on Chromebooks, and has options for block coding, Python, and JavaScript. It’s a good starting point for introducing programming concepts.
If you’re new to drones and teaching coding, start with something like the Tello drone paired with DroneBlocks. It’s simple, affordable, and designed for education. For indoor flying, you could also explore tiny whoops, but they require more skill to operate and maintain.