About Us

Where Bold Ideas
Become Reality

STEM Academy at Thorn Hill is a community-rooted program equipping students in grades 4–12 and adults with the skills to thrive in a tech-driven world.

Our Mission

Putting tools in students' hands

Our curriculum goes beyond textbooks. We put real tools in students' hands, real problems on the table, and experienced mentors in the room — creating an environment where every learner can shine.

We're more than a program — we're a movement to turn every curious kid into a builder, thinker, and leader.

Curiosity-Driven

Every session starts with a question worth exploring.

Project-Based

Students build real things — robots, apps, experiments, bridges.

Collaborative

Teamwork is baked into every challenge and every lesson.

Achievement-Focused

We celebrate milestones, certifications, and breakthroughs.

4–12
Grades Served
100%
Hands-On Projects
Year-Round
Programs & Camps
What We Believe

Our Core Values

🔧

Hands-On Learning

We replace worksheets with real projects — students design, build, test, and present.

🌍

Inclusive Access

Tiered pricing, grants, and sponsorships keep world-class STEM education within reach for every family.

🤝

Community-Rooted

We partner with local schools, businesses, and universities to connect students to real opportunities.

🚀

Future-Focused

From drones to coding, we prepare students for the careers and industries of tomorrow.

STEM is ART
STEAM Philosophy

Because STEM is Art

We believe science and creativity are inseparable. The greatest engineers are also artists — and the best artists understand the science behind their craft. At STEM Academy at Thorn Hill, we embrace the full STEAM spectrum, nurturing both analytical minds and creative spirits.

Visual Arts

Design thinking, color theory, and digital art intertwine with engineering and coding to create beautiful, functional solutions.

Creative Design

From CAD blueprints to graphic storytelling, our students learn that every great invention starts with a creative sketch.

Music & Sound

Acoustics, waveforms, and audio engineering show how music and math speak the same universal language.

Performance & Presentation

Confidence in presenting projects, pitching ideas, and communicating discoveries is as vital as building them.

The STEM Kids logo
🆕 New Club at Thorn Hill

Meet The STEM Kids

We've launched an exciting new club — The STEM Kids — a vibrant community for our youngest learners to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through play, projects, and discovery.

From building rockets to coding their first programs, The STEM Kids club is where big ideas are born and every curious mind is celebrated. Members meet regularly, tackle fun challenges, and become part of a growing crew of junior innovators right here at Thorn Hill.

Read More on the Blog
Beyond the Classroom

STEM in the Garden

Learning doesn't stop at the lab door. Our students take STEM outdoors — connecting technology, agriculture, and environmental science through hands-on community garden projects.

STEM Academy community garden group

Rooted in Community

Our Community Garden brings together students, instructors, and local partners to cultivate more than just plants. We're growing a deeper understanding of environmental science, sustainable agriculture, and the technology behind modern farming.

Students measure soil pH, track plant growth data, build irrigation systems, and even fly drones to map garden layouts — blending biology, engineering, and data science in one living laboratory.

Hands-on gardening at STEM Academy

Hands-On Discovery

From planting seeds to harvesting produce, every step is a learning opportunity. Students get their hands dirty while exploring botany, ecology, and food systems.

Drone Flight School indoor classroom

Technology Meets Nature

Inside the classroom, students learn drone piloting, coding, and data collection — skills they then apply outdoors. It's STEM at the intersection of high-tech and the natural world.

Drone Flight School Logo

Featured Program

Drone Flight School

Where STEM Takes Flight! Our Drone Flight School program gives students hands-on experience piloting drones, understanding aerodynamics, and earning real FAA certifications — all while having an amazing time.

  • FAA Part 107 drone certification prep
  • Hands-on flight simulations & real drone piloting
  • Drone safety, regulations & airspace awareness
  • STEM-integrated curriculum for all skill levels
Visit Drone Flight School
Our Partners

Working Together with the Community

Morehead State University
Thorn Hill Education Center
DreamFlight Charities
Woodford County Public Schools
Iowa State University
Capital City Airport – Frankfort, KY
Franklin County, Kentucky
City of Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort Fire Department
Drone Legends Curriculum
"We're not just teaching STEM — we're building the next generation of innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers."

Curious about our full vision? See where we're headed.

Explore Our Vision
Got Questions?

Frequently Asked

What grades does the program serve?

We serve students in grades 4–12 through our core programs, plus adults through evening and weekend sessions.

Do you offer financial assistance?

Yes — through tiered pricing, grants, and community sponsorships, we work to ensure every student can participate.

What kind of projects will my child build?

Students build real, hands-on projects — robots, drones, apps, experiments, and more. Every session is project-based.

Ready to Join Us?

Explore our programs, meet our instructors, or enroll your student today.