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Ferndale announces $125,000 drone/STEM grant, aims to certify students in coding and drone operation
Summary
The district said a $125,000 grant will fund a drone/STEM program for the school year in partnership with Neighborhood Legal Services; the program will be housed at Ferndale High School and aims to certify students in drones and coding with mentorship and employment pathways.
Deputy Superintendent Wright described a new drone program the district is launching with outside partners and grant funding.
Wright said the program—brought to the district’s attention by community partners and carried out with Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan—provides STEM labs and certification opportunities. The grant amount cited in the presentation was $125,000 for the current school year. The plan calls for roughly 20 students from each high‑school site (including University High School and Ferndale High School) to participate, with coding, drone certification and mentorship components and potential employment pathways.
The program is expected to be housed on the first floor of Ferndale High School, in a renovated space that may include cosmetic work, storage and lab‑ready graphics and lab furniture. Wright said the program designer is organizing space build‑out under the grant and that district leaders are preparing student recruitment plans and logistics for the upcoming term.
Board members reacted positively and a board member said they would like to participate in certification as well. Administrators asked that interested students and parents contact listed staff for more information.
