2026 Is the Year of Drones in Education — Here’s Why Schools Are Jumping In
Every year, more high schools and CTE programs are launching drone training courses — and 2026 is set to be the biggest year yet. From STEM integration to CTE and career pathways, drones are becoming a must-have in modern classrooms.
Everyone Else Is Doing It — Why Aren’t You?
Districts across the U.S. are adding drone programs faster than ever. They’re engaging students, boosting enrollment, and connecting learning to high-paying, in-demand jobs. Schools in Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, and more have already partnered with DARTdrones to build drone programs — and their students are earning FAA certifications before graduation.
By integrating drone technology into STEM and CTE programs, educators are sparking curiosity and preparing students for real-world careers in engineering, surveying, agriculture, public safety, and more.
What Educators Are Saying
Teachers consistently tell us the same thing: their students are hooked.
“It is going great! The students are responding well to the content.”
“Our students love it!”
“It’s preparing our students for real-world opportunities.”
“Things are going well and students are enjoying the class!”
The feedback is overwhelmingly positive — not just from students, but from instructors who appreciate how easy it is to implement. Whether they teach science, technology, or career readiness, educators are finding that drone programs make learning interactive, flexible, and genuinely fun.
To visualize what teachers are saying, we created a word cloud from recent program feedback:
You’ll see words like Engaging, Fun, Innovative, and Students Love It pop out again and again — proof that these courses aren’t just meeting expectations, they’re exceeding them.
2026: The Perfect Time to Start
The drone industry is on a steep upward curve, and schools that start now will be ahead of the trend. Here’s why 2026 is the moment to act:
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Career Opportunities Are Expanding: The demand for certified drone pilots continues to grow across industries — from construction and environmental science to emergency response.
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STEM and CTE Funding Is Increasing: Federal and state grants for technology and workforce programs make it easier than ever to launch a drone initiative.
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Student Interest Is at an All-Time High: Hands-on learning is what motivates today’s students, and drones deliver that excitement in a real, career-connected way.
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Curriculum Support Is Turnkey: With DARTdrones, teachers don’t have to start from scratch — our programs include training, lesson plans, and ongoing support.
Get Ahead, Not Left Behind
Don’t wait to see what other schools are doing — be the one leading the way.
2026 is coming fast, and the schools that take action now will be the ones everyone else looks to later. Bring drones to your classrooms this year and watch your students’ engagement, and opportunities, take flight.
