STEMworks Launches New CAD Module for Drone Design

MEDB’s STEMworks students participate in career exploration activities as part of national Geographic Information Systems Day.

Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology launched a new STEM module—the CAD Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Drone Design and Build—as part of its STEMworks curriculum.

WIT’s Drone Design and Build module coincides with Hawai‘i’s official adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards, which encourages inquiry about science and engineering design.

The NGSS-aligned CAD module will explore the basics of the engineering design process using 3D computer-aided design, students will design their own drone prototype, 3D print their design and build a functional, remote-controlled UAV.

Safety and ethical use of drone technology are included in the curriculum and training.

WIT is distributing the new CAD module to all STEMworks facilitators, and equipping STEM school labs with their drone kits. Students will also be able to sign up for AutoCAD software training this summer to support the module addition.

“We are very excited to offer a Hawai‘i-based Drone CAD module as part of our expanding STEMworks curriculum,” WIT Director Leslie Wilkins said. “STEMworks is a statewide, Hawai‘i-led STEM program that promotes innovation and critical thinking skills through student service projects.”

WIT’s STEMworks program was the first in the state to develop and offer original STEM curriculum to students across the islands. Its goal is to provide equity, culturally-aligned and place-based STEM education through project-centered service to the community–a valuable and engaging educational platform for local students.

WIT created the program as part of its mission to educate and grow Hawaii’s innovation sector workforce.

To find out more about the CAD module or STEMworks™, contact Isla Young, WIT STEM education director, at 875-2307 or email [email protected].

The WIT Project is a statewide initiative of the Maui Economic Development Board, funded in part by the Office of Naval Research, the US Departments of Labor, Education, Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a workforce development project.