Education and Outreach

Partnerships and collaborations are mainstays for NC State. We have worked with the NC Department of Transportation, nonprofits, industry partners, the United States Army, and businesses to facilitate outreach and engagement in the community. Many of our technology initiatives focus on youth development, in particular around STEM. 

We have participated in a STEM camp with a focus on drones for rising 10th grade students in partnership with NAF and our TRIO Pre-College program. Through Lenovo’s support, a grant was awarded to purchase Tello EDU drones to help ignite a student’s passion for learning about and flying a drone. 

NC State is home to a cutting edge Science House that provides programs through engagement in hands-on discovery. Middle school and high school students are able to learn about drones in the classroom and have the opportunity to fly on NC State’s campus throughout the academic year.

NC State University was selected by the FAA in the first group of universities and colleges to be recognized as a member of the UAS Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). 

The FAA’s UAS-CTI program recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers in unmanned aircraft systems. In order to qualify for the initiative, schools must offer a bachelors or associates degree in UAS or a degree with a minor, concentration, or certificate in UAS. Schools must provide curriculum covering various aspects of UAS training, including hands-on flight practice, maintenance, uses, applications, privacy concerns, safety, and federal policies concerning UAS.