STEM Academy Blog
Recaps, spotlights, announcements, and stories from the field.
Introducing The STEM Kids: Where Curiosity Becomes Innovation
Every great inventor, engineer, scientist, artist, and entrepreneur started with one thing—a question.
June 22, 2026
·2 min read
We Were Featured in Frank. Magazine
‘Accidental learning’: Students soar to new heights with the Drone Flight School
July 27, 2026
1 min read
Spectrum News Feature
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Young people are soaring through the skies with cutting-edge technology at the Franklin Center for Innovation, where they can work on the requirements to become a certified drone pilot.
July 27, 2026
1 min read
Drone Flight School featured on KET.
Drone Flight School was recently featured on KET, highlighting its role in advancing drone education and workforce development.
July 27, 2026
1 min read
They Don't Need a Lane. They Need a Chance.
In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, Scott Buell speaks with Jason Allen, Executive Director of the Franklin Center for Innovation in Frankfort, Kentucky, about education, community, and what happens when students are trusted with real responsibility.
July 27, 2026
2 min read
What Engineers Really Do
When you hear the word engineer, what comes to mind? Maybe you picture someone designing skyscrapers, building robots, or working on airplanes. While engineers certainly do those things, their real job is much bigger than that.
June 22, 2026
3 min read
STEM is ART: Why Creativity is the Most Important STEM Skill
STEM and art are not separate subjects—they are different ways of solving problems and expressing ideas. Every invention begins with creativity, whether it's designing a robot, engineering a bridge, coding a game, or building a drone. Artists use science and technology to bring their visions to life, while engineers and scientists rely on imagination to create innovative solutions. When creativity meets critical thinking, STEM becomes ART, proving that innovation is one of the greatest forms of artistic expression.
June 22, 2026
2 min read
Growing More Than Vegetables: How Community Gardens Cultivate STEM Learning
A thriving community garden grows more than fruits and vegetables—it grows curiosity, confidence, and capability.
June 2, 2026
3 min read
Unlocking the Power of Real-Time Data Exploration with databot
At its core, databot is a compact, wireless multi-sensor device aimed at bringing “real data, real science, real fun” into classroom, after-school, camp or makerspace settings.
June 1, 2026
4 min read
Why the STEM Academy at Thorn Hill Matters
Every drone flight, engineering challenge, prototype, experiment, and presentation represents something bigger than a lesson.
May 31, 2026
2 min read
Model Rockets: Build it. Launch it. Learn why it flies.
Model rockets turn abstract science into something loud, fast, and unforgettable. Students will design, build, and launch a rocket while learning the core principles of aerospace, physics, and engineering through hands-on experimentation.
May 31, 2026
2 min read
Paper Airplanes: Where big aerospace ideas take flight on a single sheet of paper.
Paper airplanes may seem simple, but they teach powerful ideas about flight, design, and problem-solving. Every adjustment you make is a step toward thinking like an aerospace engineer.
May 31, 2026
2 min read
Drone Soccer: The Fastest-Growing STEM Sport You've Never Heard Of
Drone Soccer is played using specially designed drones enclosed within protective spherical frames. Teams compete inside a netted arena, attempting to fly a designated "striker" drone through the opposing team's goal while defenders work to block attacks and protect their own goal.
May 30, 2026
3 min read
It’s About Creating a Culture
The demand for skilled drone operators is on the rise, and Allen highlighted that this is part of a larger trend in the job market where roles that require specialized technical skills are expanding.
May 30, 2026
2 min read
Policing from Above: How Drones Are Making Kentucky Communities Safer
They help law enforcement respond smarter, move faster, and act with better information. When used correctly, they reduce risk for officers and civilians alike while improving outcomes in high-stress situations.
May 30, 2026
3 min read
Taking STEM to New Heights
From mastering flight controls to coding autonomous missions and analyzing aerial data, students gain skills that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
May 30, 2026
1 min read
How the 5 P’s Turn Ideas Into Real-World Creations
The 5 P’s provide a clear path from imagination to realization — and help makers think like innovators every step of the way.
May 29, 2026
2 min read
Building Tomorrow’s Innovators: Why LEGO Robotics is the Ultimate STEM Launchpad
Staring at lines of abstract text on a screen can feel disconnected from reality. LEGO robotics gives code a physical body.
May 29, 2026
2 min read
Don’t Just Break Barriers. Fly Over Them.
For decades, women have been told—directly and indirectly—that these aren’t “their” fields.
May 29, 2026
2 min read
Preparing the Next Generation for Careers Above the Horizon
Drones aren’t just flashy gadgets flying around taking sunset photos though, let’s be honest, that part is pretty awesome.
May 29, 2026
2 min read
The U-Hawk Takes Flight: How Sikorsky’s Unmanned Black Hawk Redefines the Future of Aerial Logistics
The U-Hawk isn’t just a pilotless Black Hawk — it’s a redefinition of what a utility helicopter can be. By combining proven airframes with cutting-edge autonomy, Sikorsky has created a platform that hints at the future of aerial logistics and drone operations.
May 28, 2026
3 min read