This summer, MassRobotics successfully concluded two hands-on, one-week academies designed to inspire and educate the next generation of technology enthusiasts: the Summer Drone Academy and the BlueTech Robotics Academy. High school students from diverse backgrounds gathered to immerse themselves in cutting-edge technologies, guided by industry experts who not only delivered technical curriculum but also engaged in fireside chats, sharing their career journeys and insights.

Drone Academy: “What Makes Drones Fly”

The Drone Academy, a program designed by Brown University and commercialized by Duckietown, with sponsorship from Amazon Robotics, provided students with a week of hands-on learning. 

Throughout the week, students tackled a series of tasks essential to building and programming their own drones. They honed their skills in soldering, wiring electronic components and integrating sensors. This comprehensive approach ensured that students not only understood the theoretical aspects of drone technology but also gained practical, real-world experience.

Mentorship played a pivotal role in the Drone Academy. Industry experts shared their knowledge and passion, offering guidance and answering questions during student-led fireside chats. These sessions provided invaluable insights into the various career paths available in the field of robotics and drone technology, inspiring many students to consider futures in these exciting areas.

Here’s what the students learned in their own words:

  • “I learned the basics of code on terminal, how to work with others to assemble a drone, and many important career paths and connections through guest speakers to be able to succeed in a STEM career in the future.” Rishitha (11th Grade, Burlington High School)
  • “I learned how to solder, do a step by step tutorial on how to complete the hardware, debugging parts of the drone so it works, and soft skills. ” Binty (10th Grade, John D. O’bryant School of Mathematics and Science)
  • They go on to say that the MassRobotics academy provided “an environment with a diverse group of students with a similar interest to you that will work together and engage in order to complete the assigned task. “
  • “Drone Academy is educational and motivates me to work hard and reach out to find more opportunities.” Misha (11th Grade, Billerica High School)

BlueTech Robotics Academy: Exploring Robotics in Underwater Environments

The BlueTech Robotics Academy, a collaborative effort between MassRobotics and MITRE, challenged students to explore the fascinating world of underwater robotics. Hosted at MassRobotics, this program encouraged participants to integrate various STEM concepts to build aquatic robots capable of thriving at different depths.

This year’s academy incorporated the build of a new aquatic robot, the sea jelly.  This was in collaboration with GreenSight and their grant to develop an underwater STEM kit.  This curriculum included molding the units, building and attaching the electronics and testing in the tank.

The BlueTech Robotics Academy offered a unique opportunity for students to learn from MITRE mentors, who were on site throughout the week. These industry professionals provided technical guidance and shared their experiences, highlighting the diverse career opportunities at MITRE. The mentorship and networking opportunities were invaluable, allowing students to connect with professionals and gain insights into the practical applications of their newfound knowledge.

The impact on these students was evident. Here’s what they have to say about the highlight of their week:

  • “You get to learn a lot from all of the professionals from different fields like from MITRE and GreenSight and I think that’s a valuable experience that everyone should get, and so I am really grateful for the opportunity to do that.” – Krish (12th grade, Burlington High School) 
  • “My favorite part of this academy was probably all the experts we talked to. It was a lot of fun and it was very interesting to hear perspectives of people who actually work in blue tech and I think it definitely made an impact because I might consider a career in it.” –  Anika (10th Grade, the Newman School)
  • “The highlight of my week was probably learning how to do all of the handson stuff like how to use a breadboard and draw a circuit diagram and that was my favorite part” – Sarah (11th Grade, Mansfield High School)
  • “The highlight of my week was probably completing the buoyancy challenge, getting the ROV to balance in the middle of the water, and I think it was really fun to get over the challenges and meet new people.” -Rishitha (11th Grade, Burlington High School)

A Week of Innovation, Learning, and Inspiration

Both academies culminated in showcases where students presented their projects, demonstrating the skills and knowledge they had acquired over the week. These presentations were a testament to the students’ hard work, creativity, and newfound expertise in drone and underwater robotics technology.

MassRobotics provides these immersive educational experiences to foster a passion for technology and innovation among high school students. The success of the Drone Academy and BlueTech Robotics Academy is a testament to the power of hands-on learning and the importance of mentorship in shaping the future of technology.

Thanks to Amazon Robotics and the MITRE Corporation for the support in sponsoring these academies, and to the many mentors and educators who spent time and shared experiences with our students.

As we celebrate the completion of these academies, we look forward to continuing our mission of inspiring and educating the next generation of tech leaders. Here’s to the bright futures of our students and the incredible innovations they will bring to the world.