Pioneering STEM Education with Drones: A Conversation with Hansol Hong, CEO of Robolink

At the recent Xponential 2024 Conference, I had the pleasure of speaking with Hansol Hong, the CEO of Robolink, a company at the forefront of integrating drones into STEM education. Founded over a decade ago, Robolink has made significant strides in making STEM learning exciting and practical by using drones as a primary teaching tool.

CoDrone EDU

Robolink’s impact is substantial, with their programs currently being implemented in approximately 4,000 U.S. schools and expanding globally. Hansol explained that their educational approach uses drones to teach coding and robotics in a practical, hands-on way that resonates with students. “When students program our drones, they see their code come to life as the drones move according to their instructions,” Hansol said. This dynamic method of learning not only engages students but also helps them understand complex concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The Robolink curriculum includes both hardware—the drones and their accessories—and the software needed to program them. Moreover, the company provides comprehensive learning materials for both students and teachers, ensuring that educators are well-prepared to guide their students through the coursework.

A highlight for Robolink has been CoDrone EDU’s selection for the Aerial Drone Competition, which is organized by the REC Foundation and sees participation from nearly 2,000 teams across the nation. This event allows students to showcase their programming skills and the practical knowledge they have gained. “It’s not just about flying drones,” Hansol remarked. “They’re programming for obstacle avoidance and carrying out simulated search and rescue missions, tying the lessons to real-world applications like delivery and emergency response.”

The CoDrone EDU, one of Robolink’s premier offerings, is particularly well-suited for educational environments. Designed to be both durable and safe for classroom use, it features programmable lights and access to seven different sensors, including color sensors and range sensors on its front and bottom. Students can program the CoDrone EDU using Python or start with the basics of block-based coding. It’s an ideal platform for learning coding and engineering principles, providing a robust tool for both classroom learning and competitive environments.

In response to my question about certification, Hansol highlighted their partnership with the non-profit REC Foundation to provide a Trust certification, and they are planning to align this with Part 107 certifications to aid students interested in becoming professional drone pilots.

Despite their success in the U.S., Robolink is also gaining traction internationally, with programs in countries like Australia, Japan, Korea, and the UAE, and they are making inroads into Europe.

Looking to the future, Hansol is enthusiastic about continuing to expand their reach and refine their offerings. “Our goal is to become a household name in educational drones,” he stated confidently. For teachers eager to integrate this innovative program into their curriculum, Robolink offers professional development and a wealth of online resources to ensure educators are equipped to bring these exciting technologies into their classrooms.

For more information about Robolink and their educational programs, visit Robolink.com. As the field of educational technology continues to evolve, it is clear that Robolink is setting a high standard for how drones can be used to enhance STEM education, preparing students for the technological frontiers of tomorrow.

Tags: Drones, Education, Robolink, STEM

Categories: Drones, Xponential

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