Before a single drone is powered on, Lydia Prince’s students are already working. They’re on the practice field behind the old gym at Academy of Richmond County, building mazes by hand, thinking through the course their aircraft will eventually need to navigate. The flying comes later. First comes the planning. 

That sequence brings perspective. Prince, a Computer Science teacher at the Augusta high school, cofounded the “Droneteers” program with Master Sergeant Ward to reflect how drone operations actually work in the real world. A HireSmart Cares grant is helping her bring that vision to life for roughly 50 students, with equipment and curriculum that will continue reaching students for years to come. 

The idea grew out of Prince’s background in technology and cybersecurity education. As she learned more about unmanned aircraft systems and their overlap with data analysis and emerging technologies, she saw an opportunity to build something students hadn’t seen before in their school. 

“I wanted to create a program that didn’t just teach students how to fly,” she said, “but helped them understand regulations, safety, ethics, and career pathways.” 

For Prince, the students in front of her make that mission feel urgent. Many of them, she said, haven’t seen themselves represented in high-tech careers. Drones give them a reason to look twice. 

“Drones are often the hook,” she said. “But what really matters is that students begin to see themselves as professionals-in-training. Helping them make that mental shift is one of the most meaningful parts of my work as an educator.” 

That shift doesn’t always happen at once. One student came into the program struggling academically and short on confidence. When flight simulations and hands-on operations began, something changed. The student took ownership of learning airspace rules and became the go-to person in the class for safety checks. Prince said watching that transformation was a powerful reminder of why the program exists.

When flights do happen, they look less like a hobby and more like a professional operation. Students work in small teams, each with a defined role: one serves as pilot, another as visual observer, another as mission planner. Between flights, the team gathers around a laptop to analyze code and mapping software, debating what worked and what they’d do differently next time. 

Students in the program understand that drones are regulated aircraft operating in shared airspace, subject to strict rules and safety standards. They study concepts like remote ID, risk assessment, and mission planning, and they’re working toward FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification. 

One student put it plainly: “Learning about drone certifications made me feel like I’m already doing something professional, not just schoolwork.” 

The career doors this opens are wide. Aviation, engineering, public safety, agriculture, construction, media, and defense-related fields all have growing demand for people who understand unmanned systems. But Prince is quick to point out that students who don’t pursue drones specifically still leave with skills that matter: regulatory compliance, technical documentation, risk management, and teamwork. 

“I didn’t realize drones could lead to real jobs,” one student said. “This class made me think differently about my future.” 

Another student appreciated the fact that adults put trust in the students to work with expensive equipment. 

“I like that we’re trusted with real equipment and real responsibility,” the student said. “It makes me take learning more seriously.” 

At its core, Prince said, this program is about more than technology. 

“This is about access, confidence, and opportunity,” she said. “For many students, this may be their first exposure to advanced technology and professional expectations.” 

HireSmart Cares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Mark and Anne Lackey that provides grants to K-12 educators supporting workforce development and job-ready skills, helping students build career pathways without the burden of college debt. Learn more at hiresmartcares.org.