Case Study Overview
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) JROTC is helping high school cadets connect classroom learning with a practical, career-relevant technology: drones. Under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Shawn Cowley, Director of JROTC at CMS, the program used Drone Launch Learning’s curriculum during a Drone Camp designed to introduce students to drone operations and prepare them for FAA Part 107 certification.
The program’s focus was not simply on getting students in the air. It was to make the technical knowledge behind safe, professional drone operations approachable for high school learners while giving instructors a clear, ready-to-use path for teaching it.
According to LTC Cowley, a large majority of the 25 cadets who participated in the week-long Drone Camp earned their FAA Part 107 certification. The experience also gave CMS confidence to move forward with broader use of the curriculum across its JROTC programs.
“I’ve dealt with numerous drone companies, and this one by far captures what teachers need and what students need.”
LTC Shawn Cowley, Director of JROTC, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
The Challenge
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools JROTC wanted to give cadets access to a modern technical skill that could lead to real opportunities after high school. But drone education has to do more than make flying look exciting. Students need to understand airspace, regulations, safety, weather, operations, and the decisions that professional remote pilots make.
For LTC Cowley and his instructors, the challenge was finding a curriculum that could make those concepts accessible without requiring every teacher to become a drone expert first.
They were looking for a program that could:
- Prepare students for the FAA Part 107 knowledge test.
- Present technical material in a format that felt relevant to high school learners.
- Give instructors clear structure, support, and materials to guide students successfully.
- Keep students actively engaged while building knowledge they could use beyond the classroom.
The Solution
Drone Launch Learning provided a structured curriculum built for both students and teachers. The program combines concise instructional videos, guided notes, review tools, online quizzes, and interactive learning activities that help students work through the material step by step.
LTC Cowley said the bite-sized format was especially effective for today’s students.
“The videos are bite-sized videos. So if you think of today’s student who really enjoys Instagram … short videos like that, very engaging, very at their level perfectly.”
LTC Shawn Cowley, Director of JROTC, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
The curriculum’s structure gave cadets multiple ways to review key concepts while allowing instructors to focus on coaching, accountability, and student success. Guided notes supported the lessons, while quizzes and phone-based review games gave students additional opportunities to reinforce what they learned.
Just as importantly, the program was designed to be accessible for educators who are new to drone instruction.
“Even if you don’t know anything about drones, you can take this program and you can deliver it to a classroom of students and be highly successful.”
LTC Shawn Cowley, Director of JROTC, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
The Implementation
CMS introduced the curriculum through a focused, week-long Drone Camp for a group of 25 high school JROTC cadets at Rocky River High School. Students worked through the course material in a structured setting, using guided notes, short-form lessons, quizzes, and interactive review activities to prepare for the FAA Part 107 exam.
The approach paired a clear learning sequence with formats that kept the material manageable. Instead of asking students to absorb everything at once, the camp broke complex concepts into smaller lessons and gave them repeated chances to check understanding.
This model also helped the instructors deliver a technical course with confidence. The curriculum supplied the instructional framework, enabling them to concentrate on leading the class and supporting students who needed extra help.
The Results
1. FAA Part 107 Progress
According to LTC Cowley, a large majority of the 25 cadets in the week-long Drone Camp earned their FAA Part 107 certification. For participating students, that achievement represents more than passing an exam: it is a federally recognized credential that can support future work in drone-related fields.
2. Stronger Student Engagement
The curriculum’s short lessons, guided notes, quizzes, and interactive review tools made a demanding subject easier to approach. By using formats that align with how students already engage with content, the program helped keep cadets focused on material that requires real attention and discipline.
3. A Replicable Teaching Model
The experience showed that a school program does not need an experienced drone pilot in every classroom to begin teaching drone concepts effectively. With a structured curriculum and practical resources, instructors can guide students through the learning process while building their own confidence along the way.
4. A Foundation for Broader Access
After the camp, LTC Cowley said CMS was moving forward with plans to bring Drone Launch Learning into its broader JROTC programs. The goal is to give more cadets access to drone education and pathways toward professional certification.
What’s Next
The Drone Camp demonstrated a practical model for introducing aviation and drone technology to high school students: meet learners with accessible instruction, support educators with a clear framework, and connect coursework to an industry-recognized credential.
For CMS JROTC, the next step is expanding that opportunity so more cadets can explore drone operations, build confidence in a high-demand technology, and see new possibilities for their futures.
Bring Drone Learning to Your Students
If you’re a school leader looking for a way to connect students to real careers, build technical confidence, and introduce hands-on drone learning, Drone Launch Learning can help.
Our curriculum gives educators the structure and support to bring drone education into the classroom—even if they have never flown a drone before.
Click to book a 15-Minute call with our team to see if this is a good fit for your school.