Drone Career Explorer
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Program library

Review the program. Inspect the evidence.

Review the program architecture, open student-facing previews, watch the grade-band introductions, and compare the resources available to schools and partners.

View Program GuidesFor Schools & Partners
Drone Career Explorer curriculum resource mapMiddle School public preview coverHigh School public preview cover
Program guides

Program architecture & overview.

These public resources establish purpose, progression, curriculum structure, and the student experience.

01 • Orientation

Welcome & Start Here Guide

Program purpose, pathway orientation, implementation positioning, and how the curriculum environment is organized.

Open Guide →
02 • Program

Grades 6–12 Program Overview

Middle school and high school progression, learning dimensions, core themes, outcomes, portfolio, and capstone structure.

Open Overview →
Curriculum Resource Map
03 • Architecture

Curriculum Resource Map

See how intro video, facilitator guide, workbook, assessment, implementation, and professional resources connect.

Workbook previews

Compare real student-facing samples.

These PDFs show selected source pages from the actual student workbooks and demonstrate the depth of the learning experience.

Middle School public preview cover
Grades 6–8

Middle School Public Preview

Systems thinking, responsible-use decision making, sensors/data, mission planning, career exploration, and final portfolio evidence.

Ecosystem MapDecision GuideSensor ModelMission Brief
View Middle School Preview
High School public preview cover
Grades 9–12

High School Public Preview

Mission analysis, responsibility, AI/autonomy, aerial evidence, workforce readiness, career portfolio, and capstone defense.

Decision MemoAutomation MatrixEvidence BriefCapstone Plan
View High School Preview
Course videos

Watch the grade-band introductions.

Middle School course introduction poster▶
Grades 6–8

Middle School Course Introduction

Introduce the drone ecosystem, connected systems, responsibility, and career exploration.

High School experience poster▶
Grades 9–12

High School Experience

Move into applied systems thinking, AI and sensors, evidence, industry applications, and workforce readiness.

Standards & recognition

Standards-informed learning with certificates and educator microcredentialing.

Review curriculum-framework connections, pathway certificate requirements, and the Drone Career Explorer Educator Microcredential.

Standards & Credentials
Career navigation

Career, training & credential pathways.

The Careers & Industry page connects student learning to career clusters, current industry signals, FAA certification information, and verified examples of postsecondary UAS programs.

Open Careers & IndustryPart 107 Knowledge Preparation
Industry tools & learning resources

Software learners may encounter across simulation, mapping, GIS, and reality capture.

These are examples of current industry and education tools—not endorsements or formal partnerships. Schools should review licensing, privacy, hardware, and procurement requirements before implementation.

SIMULATION

Zephyr Drone Simulator

Simulation and learning-management features designed for classroom, workforce-development, and operator-training environments.

Explore Zephyr ↗
GIS

Esri ArcGIS / Drone2Map

GIS and photogrammetry tools that connect aerial imagery to 2D/3D mapping and geospatial analysis. Esri offers K–12 school software options.

Explore Esri for Schools ↗
REALITY CAPTURE

DroneDeploy

Reality-capture workflows spanning field maps, mission planning, remote sensing, documentation, and industry-specific training.

Explore DroneDeploy.org ↗
PHOTOGRAMMETRY

PIX4D

Photogrammetry and 3D-mapping tools with student, professor, and classroom education licensing and course materials.

Explore PIX4D Education ↗
PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Agisoft Metashape

Photogrammetric processing and 3D spatial-data software with educational licensing for accredited institutions.

Review Agisoft Licensing ↗
OPEN SOURCE

OpenDroneMap / WebODM

Open-source drone-image processing workflows that can produce orthophotos, point clouds, textured models, and elevation products.

Open Documentation ↗
External-source review: September 2026 • Program availability, eligibility, software licensing, and external resources may change.
2026 educator & workforce connections

Current pathways worth watching.

These external programs can extend career exploration, aviation awareness, and postsecondary planning. They are listed as public resources and do not imply affiliation with Drone Career Explorer.

FAA

Aerospace Workforce Educator Program

FAA educator resources include a six-lesson aviation series with a dedicated drone lesson and career connections.

FAA educator program ↗
FAA

Youth Drone Initiative

Designed to connect youth drone programs with safety information, best practices, industry, government, and workforce-pathway conversations.

FAA Youth Drone Initiative ↗
FAA

UAS Collegiate Training Initiative

Recognizes colleges and technical schools preparing students for UAS careers and connects postsecondary programs with workforce needs.

FAA UAS-CTI ↗
NASA + FAA

Smart Skies

Aviation and airspace learning resources covering careers, weather, safety, air traffic control, drones, and educator activities.

NASA Smart Skies ↗
Access

Resource access by audience.

PUBLIC

Explore the program

  • Program overviews and pathway structure
  • Selected student-facing previews
  • Videos and visual infographics
  • Learning outcomes and career connections
  • Implementation inquiry and regulatory notices
EDUCATOR / PARTNER CONTROLLED

Implementation resources

  • Full facilitator and instructor guides
  • Complete student deployment files
  • Assessment keys and scoring guidance
  • LMS implementation packages
  • Regulatory crosswalks and change-control logs
Explore Implementation