HireSmart Cares has awarded a $3,063 grant to the mechatronics program at Empower College and Career Center in Jackson County, funding a project that allows students to design, build, and program fully functional drones and robotic devices. 

“Kids are super excited and interested when you throw out words like drones,” said Don Loggins, Advanced Technology and Engineering Instructor at Empower College and Career Center. “The really nice thing about the program is that it’s technical enough that there is a lot to learn. It ranges from everything from motor controls, basic electronics, to flight principles.” 

Drones and Robotics: Learning Through Building 

The HireSmart Cares grant covers the cost of drone and robotics components. Students will build two fully functional drones and two remote-operated robotic devices for competitions hosted by the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA). Students design the systems, assemble and program the hardware, and troubleshoot the entire process. 

“It’s going to require them to really have to seek out and really solve challenging problems,” said Loggins. “Once they get that drone built, there’s also the aspect of coming back and learning how to code and make that controller speak to that drone. So, I feel like we get a lot of bang for the buck in the sense that the groundwork covers a depth of subjects…What I’m envisioning from our students, and the way I’m trying to sell it to the students is, if you look around in everyday life, and you watch TV or movies, you see more and more interaction with drone or robotic like devices.” 

Of course, drone and robotic applications extend far beyond entertainment into many industries and career paths. 

“It could be something where maybe law enforcement are sending in one of these robotic devices into a dangerous situation to try to assess the situation,” he notes. “When we had Michelin in here the other day, they said they were using robotic cars to go underneath equipment with a GoPro, just because of accessibility.” 

Students Drawn to Hands-On Learning 

Thomas Johnson, a student in the program, appreciates the hands-on approach Loggins and Empower provide. 

“I came from a private Christian school, and once I started coming here to Empower in my junior year, I started realizing there’s a whole lot more opportunities here in Jackson County and Empower,” he said. 

Johnson, who plans to enter the United States Navy as a naval aviator after college, values the technological know-how he’s earning.  

“I personally believe that a hands-on experience, you learn a lot more from,” he said. “I’m not a very stationary person, I’m always moving around, which is why I like it here, because I can move around. I get my materials, and I get to building. It’s just like if I was five or six with Legos, except this time, I get to put it into real-world use that could be potentially used in the future.” 

Classmate Gabe Wilson is also enthusiastic about what he learns in Loggins’ Mechatronics lab.  

“This class is helping me learn and actually be able to develop these kinds of machines,” he said. “I think it’s a good learning experience for me in the future.” 

Beyond Classroom Theory 

The mechatronics class offers a variety of hands-on projects that help students understand an evolving technological landscape. For instance, earlier this year, students participated in an electric car competition after assembling the vehicle, with a top speed of around 30mph, in the mechatronics lab. Loggins said he’d probably let some students take turns driving the little green car as the school year ends. He said he even squeezed into the tiny vehicle for a spin.  

Students don’t just learn basic engineering and mechanical systems. They have fun, too. 

Meanwhile, they’re also learning about potential career paths.  

“Some of them want to go into engineering,” said Loggins. “Some of them are looking for opportunities directly after school. And we’re fortunate here in Jackson County. We’ve got a lot of manufacturing facilities. Manufacturing is getting more and more technical, more high-tech, and so we’re trying to get our students more training and understanding of the basic mechanical systems.” 

Loggins said the mechatronics program has been able to connect students with industry needs.  

“We’ve been able to partner up with a couple different corporations that have come in,” said Loggins. “Here in Jackson County, we’ve got SK, we’ve got Toyota. We are in the early processes right now of starting up a new relationship with Michelin.”  

These partnerships create career pathways.  

“Last month, we had a representative from Michelin come into our school, and they have a program called Michelin Scholars,” said Loggins. “The way the program works is they will pay for your education at Lanier Tech, and in addition to that, they want to offer on-the-job training for those two years.” 

Loggins said two of his students plan to pursue a career with Michelin through the Scholar program.  

HireSmart Cares Supporting Workforce Development 

The mechatronics program aligns with HireSmart’s mission of supporting youth workforce development. Founded by Mark and Anne Lackey, HireSmart Cares focuses on helping today’s youth become tomorrow’s leaders and innovators. The organization funds numerous initiatives for young people, with investments in U.S. Careers and U.S. Agriculture. 

HireSmart Cares has provided similar grants for construction classes, drone programs, and agricultural initiatives, recognizing the value of hands-on learning and practical skills development.  

Loggins said he’s grateful for the support from HireSmart Cares.

“I think students see that, ‘Hey, we’ve got some neat things here,’ but through these partnerships, we can get more, and we can expand the program and drive it that way,” he said. 

To learn more about HireSmart Cares and its workforce development initiatives, visit hiresmartcares.org.