With the growing focus on STEAM education, the demand for engaging, hands-on learning tools is more critical than ever. DroneBlocks has become a popular choice for educators looking to bring drones into the classroom, offering a comprehensive curriculum that caters to various skill levels. So is DroneBlocks curriculum any good, and what’s it like?

I’m a former teacher, with 6 years of experience teaching early elementary. After that, I was an elementary school principal for 5 years. I’ve seen my fair share of curriculum, so I was eager to see what DroneBlocks would teach. While I’ve never previously reviewed a drone curriculum before, I put this one to the test, going through it myself with a critical, principal’s eye.

Here’s my review of the DroneBlocks curriculum, and my recommendation of what types of classrooms it’s good for.

DroneBlocks goes beyond traditional digital coding tools and classroom robots by introducing students to programming through drones. The system provides professional development resources for teachers, coding platforms for students, and a user-friendly app that makes it easy to access coding lessons right in the classroom.

Using the Crazyflie Nano drone, students can program flight patterns, movements, and directions with block-based or text-based coding.

DroneBlocks curriculum cost (and else you need what you’ll need)

DroneBlocks offers a curriculum package priced at $495 per year, granting access to over 40 courses that cover a wide range of topics. From drag-and-drop block coding to advanced programming in Python and JavaScript, the curriculum is designed to accommodate different learning stages and student abilities.

A standout feature of the curriculum is the inclusion of a drone simulator. With it, students can practice coding and flight skills in a virtual environment before flying real drones.

Originally designed for the DJI Tello, DroneBlocks shifted to using the Crazyflie Nano after DJI stopped producing the Tello. The Crazyflie Nano is available for purchase on their website individually or in bulk packages of 10 drones. (The program still supports the DJI Tello EDU.)

While there are still some references to the DJI Tello throughout the curriculum, they are minimal and unlikely to confuse students or teachers. (DroneBlocks is working on updating these references to align with the Crazyflie.)

The Crazyflie drone

Weighing just 27 grams and fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand, the Crazyflie Nano is perfect for indoor use, making it ideal for classroom settings. Its small size reduces the risk of damage to the drone and the surroundings, making it a safe and manageable option for students learning to code and fly.

The Crazyflie Nano has a relatively short flight time of just 8 minutes, with pros and cons. While it might be a short period for students eager to fly the drones, it also means educators need to find time to charge them between classes. Fortunately, the Crazyflie Nano charges quickly.

However, the short flight time encourages students to focus on coding and problem-solving. When working through simulations, they’ll need to think carefully about the most efficient coding process to get from point A to point B.

In addition to the drones, students will need access to computers. Many schools use Chromebooks, but any laptop is compatible. You’ll need at least as many laptops as drones.

DroneBlocks: professional development

Every yearly DroneBlocks curriculum purchase includes a free 2-hour professional development session. The session can be attended by any number of teachers, and I’d recommend sending all educators who will be using the curriculum.

Schools can choose a time slot that fits their schedule, though it’s a good idea to plan as slots fill up quickly. This 2-hour training isn’t just a generic overview. It’s a tailored experience that can be customized to fit teachers’ needs, interests, and questions.

The session covers everything from getting started with the drones to troubleshooting connection issues, with a focus on practical classroom applications. The training doesn’t stop at the basics—DroneBlocks provides additional tools like Miro boards for lesson planning and a custom jobs wheel program for classroom management. These thoughtful touches show that DroneBlocks understands the unique challenges educators face and is committed to supporting them every step of the way.

While teachers may find it tough to fit another two hours of training into their schedule, this particular training feels beneficial, informative, and like a general good use of time.

Given the program’s cost (especially with the added expense of drones), investing in teacher learning is essential.

A look inside the DroneBlocks curriculum

The DroneBlocks curriculum mostly hones in on teaching students how to code. It’s broken into various lessons that each entail 2-10 video lessons. Most videos are about 5 minutes long.

However, teachers shouldn’t expect to simply play the videos daily as an instructional tool. Like any curriculum, teachers will need to spend time reviewing the materials and creating a plan that works best for their classroom.

Hardware lessons

However, it does teach practical building, too. For example, the first course covers how to build the Crazyflie Nano drone. The assembly process took me about 15 minutes, guided by a mostly helpful video tutorial that was a bit tricky to follow at times. In a classroom setting, this could take at least 30 minutes, so it’s a good idea for teachers to build a drone before this class and have a clear system in place for labeling and storing the drones.

While challenging, the assembly process offers an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning, teaching students not just how to fly drones but also how they work.

Printed instructions with clearer images would have made the process smoother, and unfortunately, DroneBlocks does not supply printed materials for most courses. However, the trial and error involved in building the Crazyflie Nano adds to the learning experience. Students would likely benefit from the opportunity to problem-solve and troubleshoot during assembly, preparing them for the challenges they may face in coding and flying.

Software lessons

A standout course is “Welcome to Mars,” which challenges students to program their drones to navigate a simulated Martian landscape, blending coding with creativity and problem-solving. The curriculum creates backstories for why students need to complete missions, which helps build engagement.

Another standout course is Block Coding – Math Edition, which integrates coding exercises with math problems. This course is perfect for teachers looking to incorporate more STEM content into their lessons, as it encourages students to apply their coding skills in a mathematical context. The combination of coding and math creates a dynamic learning experience that keeps students engaged and challenged. This course also comes with printable worksheets that align with the lessons, a feature I wish all courses included.

Who is the DroneBlocks curriculum for?

The DroneBlocks curriculum, paired with the Crazyflie Nano drone, offers a rich and engaging educational experience. The curriculum is relatively affordable compared to others, but the startup costs can be significant, especially when investing in Crazyflie drones.

School administrators considering this curriculum should ensure there’s a dedicated teacher who is passionate about STEM, highly organized, and planning to stay at the school for a few years.

Next, ensure you have time in the schedule to incorporate this program, along with the necessary materials and proper classroom storage for the drones. If you have all those elements in place, the DroneBlocks curriculum can be a fantastic addition to any STEM program, combining the excitement of drone technology with the educational benefits of coding.

If you’re excited about the program but don’t have everything in place yet, consider starting small. You could purchase one Crazyflie drone and have teachers do a few whole-group activities, teach coding in small groups, or run an after-school program. From there, you can expand the program by purchasing more drones. Check out DroneBlocks here.

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