iDrone is an Interstate Drone League hosted by Dr. Jae Ryu and the University of Idaho. As a Middle School 6th-8th grade English and Spanish teacher many of my students need additional time and instruction as well as bi-lingual supports to retain new science, technology, engineering and math vocabulary. That’s where iDrone comes in. iDrone uses hands on and at-a-distance synchronous learning activities to learn fast-moving technologies, such as Unmanned Aerial Systems, Unmanned Terrestrial Systems and Unmanned Submarine Systems. Additionally, iDrone helps students understand the theory and basics of coding using Arduino and Python IDE as well as MIT Scratch environment to learn basic concepts in automatic control, robotics and UAS.

We are only a few weeks into the externship and already I have been busy adding value to my current teaching assignment at Vallivue School District expanding my ability to teach STEM content and vocabulary in both English and Spanish as well as prepping lessons for iDrone at a distance. Finally, and most excitingly I am working with area University of Idaho Extension staff to gather real field data that will be used in the development of drone for use in agriculture settings. All of these experiences will position me to bring better STEM instruction to my learners from all languages.