IUP Aerium Collaborative Hosts Successful Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Workshop for Secondary Educators

Indiana, PA – July 2, 2024 – In an exciting leap towards integrating cutting-edge technology into education, the IUP-Aerium Collaborative hosted a groundbreaking Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Workshop from Monday, June 24 through Wednesday, June 26. Held at Kopchick Hall on the IUP campus, this dynamic event brought together secondary educators eager to revolutionize their STEM curriculum with drone technology. The workshop, organized in collaboration with the IUP Uncrewed Aircraft Systems programs and Aerium, was a resounding success.

Led by Dr. John Benhart, director of the IUP UAS programs and an Aerium board member, the workshop provided comprehensive training on developing and implementing drone-related curriculum materials. The free workshop aimed to support and enhance drone programs within school districts by equipping educators with the necessary tools and knowledge.

14 teachers from 5 counties participated in the UAS WorkshopTeachers displaying the drones donated by Aerium

Schools participating in the workshop included Avonworth, Clearfield, Homer Center, Indiana, Latrobe, River Valley and UnitedThe free 3-day workshop aimed to support and enhance drone programs within school districts by equipping educators with the necessary tools and knowledge.Dr. John Benhart led the workshop which covered ten major UAS-related topics

The workshop covered a wide range of topics, including:

Those in attendance had the opportunity to collaborate with peers, gain insights into operationalizing drone curricula, and receive practical training. Additionally, each teacher received a free drone, valued at approximately $800, to use in their classrooms. The workshop aimed to equip teachers with the tools necessary to provide students with hands-on learning and to foster an engaging and productive environment for integrating UAS technology into their teaching practices.

Fourteen teachers from the following districts participated in the IUP Drone Teacher Workshop:

"The educators were a great group to work with and showed tremendous enthusiasm for teaching aviation to Pennsylvania students," said Dr. Benhart. "Our goal is to empower teachers with the knowledge and resources they need to inspire the next generation of aviators and technologists."

Dr. Larry Nulton, Chairman of Aerium, also expressed his enthusiasm: "We are thrilled to collaborate with IUP on this initiative. The integration of UAS technology into the classroom is crucial for preparing students for future careers in aviation-related fields. This workshop is a significant step toward that goal."

For more information about the IUP Uncrewed Aircraft Systems programs and future workshops, please visit:

Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Science and Applications Certificate

Fly drones, and prepare for certification to move your career forward through the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Science and Applications Certificate program.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

About IUP Aerium Collaborative:

The IUP Aerium Collaborative is dedicated to advancing the field of Unmanned Aircraft Systems through education, research, and collaboration. Partnering with industry leaders like Aerium LLC, IUP aims to provide cutting-edge resources and training for educators and students alike.

Aerium is a philanthropic 501(c)(3) organization established to be a catalyst for change in the aviation sector, focusing on education, workforce development, and creating career opportunities for students in Pennsylvania.