The Drone STEM Activity that Made Bryson’s Summer Enrichment Especially Memorable
Program: Enrichment Camps
Bryson had pictured a vending machine. You put in a coin, select the snack you want, and it drops out from the bottom.
Except they weren’t building a machine for snacks, they were building an obstacle for drones.
It was part of a drone STEM activity with Unleashing Potential, at the Church of the Master site in Florissant.
Working with a team, Bryson taped two cardboard boxes together, into almost a chimney shape. The drone would fly in at the top and come out of the chute at the bottom, like a candy bar being dispensed.
Bryson served as the engineer of his team, making decisions about dimensions and design. The rest of the team helped with finding supplies, cutting cardboard, assembling pieces and taping them together. They were also charged with naming the obstacle. They chose the name Himothy.
“I’m excited to test a drone on it,” Bryson said.
This was Bryson’s first summer with Unleashing Potential. And the drone STEM activity wasn’t the only thing memorable. He especially appreciated all the field trips, including a field trip to Boeing. He’d heard the name Boeing before, but had never really explored what they specialized in. After a special visit to Church of the Master from Brian Caplan, who also serves as a board member of Unleashing Potential, Bryson’s interest was piqued. Bryson had also never visited a college before, but he got to participate in a week-long coding camp at Maryville University.
“Summer enrichment camp has been really cool,” Bryson said. “I’ve gotten to meet new people and use my brain more.”
*Actual student/name has been changed to protect child’s identity
