Filling an Achievement Gap in STEM
Tax deductible
A call for change—to close the achievement gap to access and afford STEM education, attain a good job, and career for under-served populations of all backgrounds is vitally important and needs your immediate help.
We are the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems, also referred to as NIAS.
The Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS), a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization in the United States is launching a new program called the “iSTEM of Drones,” program which stands for the “Institute of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics of Drones.”
The inspiration to create this program derived from personal experience. Recently, I helped a colleague with the enrollment process for potential new students inquiring about our drone training program. We received over 700 inquiries from potential students who were interested in enrolling in our drone training course, which is offered monthly at the rate of $1490. These inquiries came from people of all ages, ethnicity, and backgrounds: military veterans, disabled citizens, people with felony backgrounds looking to get a job in a new industry, young and old—both seeking to get licensed as a drone pilot, working-class individuals, welfare recipients looking to get certified and licensed so that they could gain self-sufficiency and independence, college students, high school students, single parents, stay-at-home moms looking to find something new and fun to do, unemployed individuals, hobbyist, and the list goes on. I had the opportunity to hear stories from potential students and learned a lot about their background and interest as I answered questions about our drone training pilot's certification class.
As the calls and emails continued to excessively take over my voicemail and inbox, I realized that there was a high demand for this training with inquiries coming in from Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah, and even states across the Southern, Midwest, and Eastern United States. Surprisingly, after I answered all inquiries and began discussing the cost of the training and certification class, I only had 2 students register and complete the class out of 700. 698 people told me they could not afford the class and the cost was the primary reason for not enrolling. I was heartbroken after I learned that so many people wanted to get involved in a new, fun career, but was unable to, due to access and affordability. I personally know the feeling they experienced. I felt that I needed to do something about it. I felt compelled to help.
I know what it feels like to want to get involved or be a part of something but are limited or blocked due to access and affordability. I am a mother of three children, ages 15, 10, and 4. My 10-year-old daughter has asked me every year if she could attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' iD Tech Camp held every summer. The camp, allows students, ages 7-17, of all skill levels the opportunity to discover coding, machine building, film, robotics, and game design, which trains students for the in-demand skills needed to compete in the booming economy. Their classes start at $899 per week and goes up to $1350 per week depending on the class. I cannot afford to put my children in this program, so just like so many others, my kids are left out. They will not have the jump start opportunities that their peers, who can afford the camp, will have due to access and affordability.
As I began to analyze everything, I started to remember a situation that I recently faced with my 15-year-old son who is currently taking Geometry and Chemistry this year. When he received his sophomore class schedule, he became worried and discouraged, and told me that he was afraid to take those two classes because they were hard. He was mostly afraid of Chemistry. When I asked why he was afraid, he said to me that he's never been exposed to complex subjects before and was worried that he would fail. I thought to myself, had I exposed my son to STEM at an earlier age, he wouldn't feel so discouraged to take on challenging classes/subjects in high school and in college. Thinking back on this, and seeing the interest in STEM fields and technology, and witnessing a gap in accessibility and affordability within these fields, motivated me to want to create a program that can change the outcomes for so many people from so many different walks of life.
After discussing the numbers of enrollment compared to the numbers of inquiry, within my area of responsibility, the realization that a change was needed was put into play. We know that we could not change the price of the class because it covers the cost of the instructor, materials, books, drones, and simulators for each student. We then collaborated and built a team of four people, now working to fundraise, so that we can offer this class to the under-served—those not having access and the ability to pay for sufficient service and resources, and the under-privileged—those who are deprived of opportunities and advantages of others. We are now fundraising and writing letters to hundreds of potential donors within our community so that we can provide a service and fulfill a critically important gap.
As a background, the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems, also referred to as NIAS, happens to be the first of its kind, where public safety, manned aviation (such as airplanes), unmanned aviation (such as drones), and emerging scientific technologies have combined to create a public awareness, education reform, research and development, all surrounding the rising concern of drone incursions/invasions from irresponsible drone operators who put people’s lives at risk. In addition to these efforts of public safety, NIAS is also a school that provides drone training classes and certification.
This new "iSTEM of Drones" program is designed for students ages 16 and above. The reasoning inspired to create this particular program, which derived from the experience that I mentioned above, is to provide opportunities and expose students at an early age to STEM and STEM technology so that when they become adults, they can compete in the job market and they won’t be disenfranchised. NIAS will now be able to offer STEM education, which will meet the needs of the growing achievement gaps between students of accessible STEM education and exposure, and students who don’t have accessible STEM education and exposure.
The "iSTEM of Drones" program will offer the same training that is offered for $1490 class, which is an 18-hour introductory course that gives students the vital skills and information needed to start piloting drones safely and legally and prepares students for the FAA certification. Our comprehensive course is designed to provide thorough instruction on drone systems, use applications, legal issues, maintenance, FAA regulations, piloting skills, flight hours, and safety best practices. In addition, we prepare operators to successfully pass the FAA Remote Pilot Knowledge exam and will provide each student with their FAA Remote Pilot Certification, which is required to legally operate a drone for any business or recreational purpose. The difference between the "iSTEM of Drones" program and our regular NIAS Drone Training program, is that the "iSTEM of Drones" program will be subsidized to the level necessary to make it affordable to every student applicant based on their need to obtain training, certification, and licensing by means of a scholarship.
In addition, what makes this new program unique is that the "iSTEM of Drones" program will also equip students with the knowledge, equipment, expertise, and hands-on training, to building and designing drones, the technology within it- covering aerodynamics of the drone, infra-red cameras and technology, GPS, and the materials within the infrastructure, circuit boards and chipset. Students will also be equipped with the knowledge and skill set to understand and build the software that operates as the nucleus of the drone, and the remote control system also referred to as a ground cockpit.
Another unique feature of the “iSTEM of Drones” program, once students have successfully completed the class and have obtained licensing, is that we will provide internships within industries that require, and are actively seeking drone pilots, within areas of, but not limited to; construction, agriculture, real estate, surveying and mapping, photography, the film industry, law enforcement, search and rescue, telecom, disaster management, general contracting, mass media, weather monitoring, industrial inspections, freight transport, and insurance, to name a few. The biggest part of this internship is that students get exposed to highly successful technology leaders that have come from a similar background. The program instills the perspective in students that anyone can improve their life with the right desire, determination, and dedication (i.e., the 3’Ds of life)- a phrase that is encouraged by our Director.
The vision for this program is to provide a learning environment that maximizes individual potential and to ensure that students are well-equipped to meet the needs of their growing economy so that they, too, can have a footprint in 21st century careers as leaders and innovators. And, this program’s mission will be to prepare and train students with relevant content, materials, and tools needed to develop skills and knowledge that will provide a competitive advantage within a knowledge-based economy.
Your tax-deductible contribution will provide scholarships for economically under-served and under-privileged students and makes it possible for the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) to provide drone pilot certification, licensing, and workforce development opportunities to students 16 years of age and above.
The "iSTEM of Drones" program, which is currently not subsidized by the state or any local government will completely rely on donations received. Your contribution of any amount will provide scholarships to help a student, or many students, obtain drone operator training, FAA Drone Pilot certification, and FAA Drone Pilot licensing, also referred to as Part-107 licensing. The best part is that with your donation, NO student pays anything out of pocket for their training, certification, state exam, and state license, which ends up exceeding well over $2,000.
Your contribution will create a gateway for under-privileged and under-served individuals to be exposed to STEM areas that either they've never been exposed to before, or never will.
How You Can Help?
1) By making a Tax-deductible monetary donation.
2) Laptop or iPad Donation: Donating an iPad or computer will allow students to stay competitive within the job market so that they can actively search for jobs, post their resumes, and seek additional internships, resources, and job development. Please email me at heather@nias-uas.com for technology donations.
3) Internship Opportunities: If you can offer an internship through your company or through a community connection, this could allow our students to be exposed to the workforce and could also provide them with the necessary training and skills needed to succeed within the workforce. Please email heather@nias-uas.com for internship opportunities.
Thank you in advance for your valuable consideration and contribution toward truly making a difference.
NIAS-UAS COE Website Link
We are the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems, also referred to as NIAS.
The Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS), a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization in the United States is launching a new program called the “iSTEM of Drones,” program which stands for the “Institute of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics of Drones.”
The inspiration to create this program derived from personal experience. Recently, I helped a colleague with the enrollment process for potential new students inquiring about our drone training program. We received over 700 inquiries from potential students who were interested in enrolling in our drone training course, which is offered monthly at the rate of $1490. These inquiries came from people of all ages, ethnicity, and backgrounds: military veterans, disabled citizens, people with felony backgrounds looking to get a job in a new industry, young and old—both seeking to get licensed as a drone pilot, working-class individuals, welfare recipients looking to get certified and licensed so that they could gain self-sufficiency and independence, college students, high school students, single parents, stay-at-home moms looking to find something new and fun to do, unemployed individuals, hobbyist, and the list goes on. I had the opportunity to hear stories from potential students and learned a lot about their background and interest as I answered questions about our drone training pilot's certification class.
As the calls and emails continued to excessively take over my voicemail and inbox, I realized that there was a high demand for this training with inquiries coming in from Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah, and even states across the Southern, Midwest, and Eastern United States. Surprisingly, after I answered all inquiries and began discussing the cost of the training and certification class, I only had 2 students register and complete the class out of 700. 698 people told me they could not afford the class and the cost was the primary reason for not enrolling. I was heartbroken after I learned that so many people wanted to get involved in a new, fun career, but was unable to, due to access and affordability. I personally know the feeling they experienced. I felt that I needed to do something about it. I felt compelled to help.
I know what it feels like to want to get involved or be a part of something but are limited or blocked due to access and affordability. I am a mother of three children, ages 15, 10, and 4. My 10-year-old daughter has asked me every year if she could attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' iD Tech Camp held every summer. The camp, allows students, ages 7-17, of all skill levels the opportunity to discover coding, machine building, film, robotics, and game design, which trains students for the in-demand skills needed to compete in the booming economy. Their classes start at $899 per week and goes up to $1350 per week depending on the class. I cannot afford to put my children in this program, so just like so many others, my kids are left out. They will not have the jump start opportunities that their peers, who can afford the camp, will have due to access and affordability.
As I began to analyze everything, I started to remember a situation that I recently faced with my 15-year-old son who is currently taking Geometry and Chemistry this year. When he received his sophomore class schedule, he became worried and discouraged, and told me that he was afraid to take those two classes because they were hard. He was mostly afraid of Chemistry. When I asked why he was afraid, he said to me that he's never been exposed to complex subjects before and was worried that he would fail. I thought to myself, had I exposed my son to STEM at an earlier age, he wouldn't feel so discouraged to take on challenging classes/subjects in high school and in college. Thinking back on this, and seeing the interest in STEM fields and technology, and witnessing a gap in accessibility and affordability within these fields, motivated me to want to create a program that can change the outcomes for so many people from so many different walks of life.
After discussing the numbers of enrollment compared to the numbers of inquiry, within my area of responsibility, the realization that a change was needed was put into play. We know that we could not change the price of the class because it covers the cost of the instructor, materials, books, drones, and simulators for each student. We then collaborated and built a team of four people, now working to fundraise, so that we can offer this class to the under-served—those not having access and the ability to pay for sufficient service and resources, and the under-privileged—those who are deprived of opportunities and advantages of others. We are now fundraising and writing letters to hundreds of potential donors within our community so that we can provide a service and fulfill a critically important gap.
As a background, the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems, also referred to as NIAS, happens to be the first of its kind, where public safety, manned aviation (such as airplanes), unmanned aviation (such as drones), and emerging scientific technologies have combined to create a public awareness, education reform, research and development, all surrounding the rising concern of drone incursions/invasions from irresponsible drone operators who put people’s lives at risk. In addition to these efforts of public safety, NIAS is also a school that provides drone training classes and certification.
This new "iSTEM of Drones" program is designed for students ages 16 and above. The reasoning inspired to create this particular program, which derived from the experience that I mentioned above, is to provide opportunities and expose students at an early age to STEM and STEM technology so that when they become adults, they can compete in the job market and they won’t be disenfranchised. NIAS will now be able to offer STEM education, which will meet the needs of the growing achievement gaps between students of accessible STEM education and exposure, and students who don’t have accessible STEM education and exposure.
The "iSTEM of Drones" program will offer the same training that is offered for $1490 class, which is an 18-hour introductory course that gives students the vital skills and information needed to start piloting drones safely and legally and prepares students for the FAA certification. Our comprehensive course is designed to provide thorough instruction on drone systems, use applications, legal issues, maintenance, FAA regulations, piloting skills, flight hours, and safety best practices. In addition, we prepare operators to successfully pass the FAA Remote Pilot Knowledge exam and will provide each student with their FAA Remote Pilot Certification, which is required to legally operate a drone for any business or recreational purpose. The difference between the "iSTEM of Drones" program and our regular NIAS Drone Training program, is that the "iSTEM of Drones" program will be subsidized to the level necessary to make it affordable to every student applicant based on their need to obtain training, certification, and licensing by means of a scholarship.
In addition, what makes this new program unique is that the "iSTEM of Drones" program will also equip students with the knowledge, equipment, expertise, and hands-on training, to building and designing drones, the technology within it- covering aerodynamics of the drone, infra-red cameras and technology, GPS, and the materials within the infrastructure, circuit boards and chipset. Students will also be equipped with the knowledge and skill set to understand and build the software that operates as the nucleus of the drone, and the remote control system also referred to as a ground cockpit.
Another unique feature of the “iSTEM of Drones” program, once students have successfully completed the class and have obtained licensing, is that we will provide internships within industries that require, and are actively seeking drone pilots, within areas of, but not limited to; construction, agriculture, real estate, surveying and mapping, photography, the film industry, law enforcement, search and rescue, telecom, disaster management, general contracting, mass media, weather monitoring, industrial inspections, freight transport, and insurance, to name a few. The biggest part of this internship is that students get exposed to highly successful technology leaders that have come from a similar background. The program instills the perspective in students that anyone can improve their life with the right desire, determination, and dedication (i.e., the 3’Ds of life)- a phrase that is encouraged by our Director.
The vision for this program is to provide a learning environment that maximizes individual potential and to ensure that students are well-equipped to meet the needs of their growing economy so that they, too, can have a footprint in 21st century careers as leaders and innovators. And, this program’s mission will be to prepare and train students with relevant content, materials, and tools needed to develop skills and knowledge that will provide a competitive advantage within a knowledge-based economy.
Your tax-deductible contribution will provide scholarships for economically under-served and under-privileged students and makes it possible for the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) to provide drone pilot certification, licensing, and workforce development opportunities to students 16 years of age and above.
The "iSTEM of Drones" program, which is currently not subsidized by the state or any local government will completely rely on donations received. Your contribution of any amount will provide scholarships to help a student, or many students, obtain drone operator training, FAA Drone Pilot certification, and FAA Drone Pilot licensing, also referred to as Part-107 licensing. The best part is that with your donation, NO student pays anything out of pocket for their training, certification, state exam, and state license, which ends up exceeding well over $2,000.
Your contribution will create a gateway for under-privileged and under-served individuals to be exposed to STEM areas that either they've never been exposed to before, or never will.
How You Can Help?
1) By making a Tax-deductible monetary donation.
2) Laptop or iPad Donation: Donating an iPad or computer will allow students to stay competitive within the job market so that they can actively search for jobs, post their resumes, and seek additional internships, resources, and job development. Please email me at heather@nias-uas.com for technology donations.
3) Internship Opportunities: If you can offer an internship through your company or through a community connection, this could allow our students to be exposed to the workforce and could also provide them with the necessary training and skills needed to succeed within the workforce. Please email heather@nias-uas.com for internship opportunities.
Thank you in advance for your valuable consideration and contribution toward truly making a difference.
NIAS-UAS COE Website Link
Organizer
Michael Couch
Organizer
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (Nias)
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
