Esports AL aims to provide educational STEAM camps to students with a desire to further deepen their passions for various technological and engineering aspects. To do so, Esports AL has created the Build Series. The Build Series is a collection of short 5-6 week classes that aim to focus on various modern technologies and provide a hands-on and interactive learning experience for students. Each Build Series will cover the basics of the engineering design process and put the control of the project in the hands of the students with guided assistance from the mentors. All build sessions will award students who complete the assigned tasks with an award. Some Builds may also offer local, state, or national certifications.

This course introduces drone technology, focusing on safety
regulations, operational protocols, and component functions. Students will
explore Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, ethical drone use,
and hands-on identification of drone parts. By the end of the course, students
will have foundational knowledge of drone safety and the mechanical and
electronic components that contribute to flight performance.

Class Schedule:

Course Learning Objectives:

Understand and apply basic drone safety protocols and regulations.
Identify and describe key drone components and their functions.
Analyze the ethical considerations of drone usage in different sectors.
Explain FAA regulations and restrictions related to commercial and recreational drone use.
Demonstrate basic maintenance and troubleshooting skills for drone components.

Camp Outline:

Week 1: Safety Briefing & Introduction to Drones

Session

Learning Objectives:
- Understand basic drone safety protocols and regulations.
- Learn about drone components and their functions.
Topics Covered:
- FAA regulations and drone laws.
- Drone safety and ethical flying.
- Overview of drone parts (motors, propellers, batteries, frame, sensors).
- Career and industry applications of drones.
Activities:
- Safety demonstration with live drone.
- Identifying drone components in a hands-on session.
- Group discussion on real-world drone use cases.
Assignments:
- Research FAA drone regulations and complete a short quiz.
- Identify different drone types and their applications.

Week 2: Aviation Basics & Drone Flight Principles

Session

Learning Objectives:
- Understand basic principles of flight and aerodynamics.
- Learn how drone components contribute to stability and control.
Topics Covered:
- Four forces of flight: Lift, Thrust, Drag, and Weight.
- Role of motors, propellers, and flight controllers.
- Drone navigation and flight terminology.
- Intro to radio communication and remote-control operation.
Activities:
- Hands-on activity simulating aerodynamics using paper drones.
- Group exercise: Balancing weight and thrust for stable flight.
- Flight simulation practice using a drone flight app.
Assignments:
- Research and summarize different drone stabilization technologies.
- Create a simple sketch of a drone and label key components.

Week 3: CAD Modeling

Morning Session

Learning Objectives:
- Learn the basics of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for drone frame design
- Understand how 3D printing and prototyping contribute to drone engineering.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to CAD software (TinkerCAD, Fusion 360, or SolidWorks).
- Designing a drone frame and understanding weight distribution.
- 3D printing process and material selection.
Activities:
- Hands-on CAD session: Creating a basic drone frame.
- Exporting CAD designs for 3D printing.
- Guest speaker (optional): Drone design engineer shares insights.
Assignments:
- Finalize a custom drone frame design.
- Research how different materials impact drone performance.

Week 4: Drone Assembly & Programming Basics

Session

Learning Objectives:
- Assemble a working drone using designed or provided parts.
- Learn basic drone programming for flight control.
Topics Covered:
- Connecting motors, propellers, and flight controllers.
- Wiring and configuring the Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs).
- Introduction to open-source drone firmware (Betaflight, ArduPilot).
Activities:
- Step-by-step assembly of a drone.
- Basic coding to configure flight settings.
- Pre-flight checks and calibration.
Assignments:
- Watch and analyze drone assembly tutorials.
- Troubleshoot a simulated drone error using troubleshooting guides.

Week 5: Test Flights & Troubleshooting

Session

Learning Objectives:
- Perform pre-flight safety checks and launch a test flight.
- Troubleshoot and fine-tune drone performance.
Topics Covered:
- Final pre-flight safety checks and calibration.
- Basic flight maneuvers and control adjustments.
- Troubleshooting common drone issues.
- Understanding GPS vs. manual flight modes.
Activities:
- Outdoor test flights under instructor supervision.
- Flight challenge: Complete a short obstacle course.
- Final showcase: Students demonstrate drone operation.
Assignments:
- Write a reflection on the drone-building experience.
- Research careers in drone technology and aerospace engineering.

drone cost:

$500

Choose your

pricing plan

Join us for an unforgettable adventure of building your own Drone! During the camp, you will not only gain valuable skills but also create a powerful Drone customized to your preferences. Don’t settle for pre-built options; unleash your creativity and save money by building the RIGHT Drone for you!