The Global Air Drone Academy (GADA) has received a grant from the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos to organize a a series of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math) enrichment workshops for secondary-ages students and teachers in Lagos State District 1. Education District 1 comprises of 3 (three) zones namely Agege, Alimoso and Ifako/Ijaiye zones.
This competition will be organized in partnership with the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, The Lagos State Ministry of Education, the United States Drone Soccer Association, and Blue Globe Innovation.
This project involves 3 Phases:
PHASE 1: THE AFRICAN DRONE SOCCER COMPETITION
PHASE 2: IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS FOR 500 SECONDARY-AGED STUDENTS
PHASE 3: HYBIRD TRAINING FOR 50 TEACHERS
PHASE 1 - THE AFRICAN DRONE SOCCER CHALLENGE
Drone soccer is a thrilling indoor team sport played with small drones that are safely enclosed in protective plastic spheres (“drone soccer balls”). Participation emphasizes both STEAM education and teamwork. Students are responsible for building, programming, flying and repairing drones for competition.
WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE: We are organizing the first drone soccer competition in Africa! Throughout the entire grant period, GADA will engage 500 students and 50 teachers from 99 secondary schools, all in District 1. We want to provide innovative learning experiences that empower and inspire youth, especially girls, in Nigeria to pursue careers in STEM.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES: 8 teams of 6-10 team members (girl-led) will be selected to participate. The winning team will be eligible to travel to the United States and represent Nigeria at the International Drone Soccer Tournament which will be held in Denver, Colorado. The 2nd and 3rd place teams will receive up to $1,500 in equipment for a STEM lab at their school.
PHASE 2: HYBRID TRAINING FOR 500 STUDENTS IN LAGOS STATE DISTRICT 1
GADA will organize and host (6) workshops in District 1 aimed at introducing 500 students to STEAM concepts like drone technology, AI, coding, solar panel assembly, and more. GADA will set up various stations at each workshop. Students will rotate from station to station in 30-min intervals. At the end of the workshop each student will be given a take-home packet filled with information from the stations they visited.
Global Air Media (GAM), LLC is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed and insured drone services company based in Baltimore, Maryland USA. The company was formed by a team of qualified professionals with years of experience in construction, engineering, and project management. Our mission is to conduct, develop, and validate drone operations through innovative technology, improved safety, and educational programming. In addition to our commercial operations, we launched the Global Air Drone Academy (GADA) to give youth a STEM-based learning experience into basic drone flight principles, drone engineering, coding & programming with drones, and insight into careers and entrepreneurship in this emerging industry. Since 2016 we have taught over 6,000 students in 400+ schools/institutions, and in 9 countries worldwide.
PHASE 3: HYBRID TRAINING FOR 500 STUDENTS IN LAGOS STATE DISTRICT 1
GADA will run a hybrid (virtual and in-person) training for 50 selected teachers in District 1. This workshop will empower educators with the knowledge and practical skills needed to lead their students through STEAM subject matter. Each teacher will receive a STEAM Camp In-A-Box, which comes with various materials and activities they can use to teach in their classroom.
