CAST Take Flight: Drones + UDL to Boost STEM Anywhere

What happens when you combine inclusive design with emerging educational technology?

CAST’s Take Flight study explored that question, and now YOU can get first access to the study’s impact with actionable recommendations to help any school transform STEM learning.

Across 11 states, more than 1,100 middle school students learned to code and fly drones through UDL-aligned lessons (Universal Design for Learning) that significantly increased their STEM interest, skills, and sense of belonging. Plus, with Take Flight’s curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL), teachers reported a 40% boost in confidence and strong intent to continue the program.

In this EdWeb edLeader Panel, moderated by CAST’s Dr. Amanda Bastoni, Dr. Jessica Hall (CAST Senior Research Scientist), Chris Hesselbein (Director of Oregon’s Northwest STEM Hub), Laurie Prewandowski (Digital Learning Specialist and DoD STEM Ambassador), and Adrienne White (Robolink Director of Marketing) share data-driven strategies that educators in rural communities and beyond can use to expand STEM pathways through UDL and drones.

Learning objectives include:

• Discover data-backed strategies to meet district priorities for STEM, CTE, and computer science standards
• Align drone lessons with career-connected learning goals, emphasizing local and industry-relevant applications
• Center CBPL that sustains teacher growth and instructional equity

Whether you’re in a rural community or an urban one, the free Take Flight curriculum offers a replicable model to help all students see themselves in STEM and soar. This edLeader Panel will be of interest to grades 5–12 teachers, librarians, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.

Register for the webinar on edWeb

Presented by

• Chris Hesselbein, Director, Northwest STEM Hub
• Laurie Prewandowski, Digital Learning Specialist, Kearsarge Regional School District (NH)
• Dr. Jessica Hall, Senior Research Scientist, CAST
• Adrienne White, Director of Marketing, Robolink

Moderated and led by Dr. Amanda Bastoni, Senior Director of Workforce and Higher Education Implementation, CAST

Sponsored by Robolink, creators of CoDrone EDU