The school was awarded the 2019 Infinite Energy STEAM Education Grant
The City of Peachtree
Corners, long associated with Technology Park Atlanta, a technology hub
developed by Paul Duke,
has partnered with a local STEM specialty high school to assist in advancing
the school’s drone program.
Thanks to the school’s collaboration
with the city and Prototype Prime,
the city’s startup incubator, the new Paul
Duke STEM High School was awarded a 2019 Infinite Energy STEAM Education Grant of $2,000. The monies will be used to launch an Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle Program (UAV). The program is designed to engage students in the
full life cycle of designing, building and operating drones for professional
applications as well as racing.
It was the students’ practical
application that was the deciding factor in awarding the grant to the Paul Duke
STEM High School. With the city’s support, students will be working with its
Public Works Department assisting with storm water inspections utilizing drones
to photograph areas not easily assessable on foot.
The new Paul Duke STEM
High School, the first STEM focused high school in Gwinnett County, opened its
doors in August 2018. Located in the city of Norcross, its curriculum focuses
on applied engineering concepts, artificial intelligence and technology in
graphic design, television and film, animation and game design.
“The UAV Program is a
natural extension of our STEM curriculum,” said Jonathan Wetherington, Paul
Duke STEM School’s principal. “Students apply their knowledge from classes in
math, physics, engineering, and the arts to specific real-world drone
applications. Thanks to the support of
Peachtree Corners and Prototype Prime, our students have meaningful projects
waiting for them.”
The award will allow the
school to begin purchasing the specialty equipment for conducting aerial
photography and videography for city planning and marketing projects and
producing a live drone show, explained Stephen Cochran, the school’s program sponsor
and engineering and computer science teacher.
Students will also have
access to Prototype Prime’s intelligent mobility experts, 3D laboratory, and
Sprint’s 5G capable Curiosity™ Lab at Peachtree Corners.
“The students at Paul Duke
STEM High School have an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Peachtree
Corners Mayor Mike Mason. “They are
our future technology leaders. The city of Peachtree Corners is thrilled to
support their training and development, and we look forward to partnering on
many exciting projects.”
