Global Air Drone Academy (GADA), in collaboration with the Baltimore City Youth Foundation, is thrilled to announce the official launch and the opening of applications for the 2023 Junior Drone Pilot (JDP) Program for teenagers in Baltimore, U.S.A.
The Junior Drone Pilot Program is GADA’s flagship and exclusive program for students ages 14-18 that is designed to help students achieve their STEM career dreams. The program focuses on providing a STEM camp-to-career pipeline, with the goal of inspiring students to pursue STEM careers through access to professional networks and internships.
This year, GADA with the support of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund will train students in Baltimore and take them on an exciting journey of STEM exploration and education. This Program promises an immersive experience for students aged 14-18. Packed with engaging learning sessions, the program covers a spectrum of activities, including drone building, entrepreneurship workshops, STEAM field trips, financial literacy training, and professional development opportunities.
The Junior Drone Pilot Program is set to revolutionize STEAM education by offering a tiered learning system that builds proficiency and confidence in students, empowering their young minds, deepening their interest in technology, and preparing them to become college and career-ready.
Key features of the JDP:
Comprehensive Learning Engagements: With 24 learning engagements per year, students will participate in STEM workshops, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship training. These workshops expose students to cutting-edge technologies such as drones, 3D printing, and Python programming, fostering a hands-on and immersive learning experience.
Valuable Certificates: JDP recognizes outstanding participants with valuable certificates in areas such as Drone Safety, Python Programming, 3D printing, Financial Literacy, and FAA Licensing. These certificates enhance students' competitiveness in the job market, opening doors to further education and employment opportunities.
Three-Year Implementation: The Junior Drone Pilot Program is a three-year project, with 25 students selected for each yearly cohort. This structure allows for a sustained and impactful engagement with the students, maximizing the program's effectiveness.
Yearly Showcase Event: The program will host an annual Showcase event, providing a platform for students to highlight the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout the year. This event aims to connect students with potential employers and partners who share a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Targeted Age Group and Hybrid Format: The program is open to youth within the ages of 14-18 and will be conducted through a hybrid model, combining physical sessions in Central Baltimore with virtual sessions. This approach ensures flexibility and accessibility for all participants.
GET INVOLVED
Want to get involved with our Junior Drone Pilot Program? We have options for you!
enroll your teenagers
Want your kid to participate? The JDP is offered free of cost to students and parents as long as the student can commit to attending the events. We are looking for students who are passionate about Drones & or STEM and want to work their way towards a career in those fields. Students who are willing to study and do a little bit of homework, while working with others are ideal candidates for this program. If you know a student who would be a good fit and would enjoy a program like this, please fill out the form.
Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer with our Junior Drone Pilot program, here are some options for you to consider.
Become a mentor
We are always looking for mentors with industry experience for our students. This could mean engineers, pilots, scientists, or other careers in the STEM fields.
Teach
We have an abundance of great teachers at the Global Air Drone Academy already, but we are always looking for others with more specific industry knowledge.
What do participants get?
A student participant in the Junior Drone Pilot program has access to a schedule of STEM-related events. Events include:
Our build-a-drone workshop where students learn to build and safely pilot drones, and ultimately take their own home
Coding exercises
3D printing workshops
STEM related field trips such as to the National Aquarium and National Air & Space museum
Virtual meetups
Our goal is to get students certified at the end of each year.