The Aerium-IUP Drone Curriculum Collaborative is a statewide initiative transforming how Pennsylvania’s educators and students engage with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This strategic partnership between Aerium and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) is building a future-forward foundation for drone and aviation education—one that directly connects classroom learning to real-world industry needs.

Through this collaborative, Aerium and IUP are working together to:

Equip educators with the knowledge and tools to teach UAS technologies
Integrate drone applications into STEM curricula across Pennsylvania schools
Spark student interest in aerospace careers, public safety, and technical trades
Create a clear pipeline from classroom to career in the drone and aviation sectors

Spotlight: The IUP-Aerium UAS Workshop for Secondary Educators

A major milestone of the collaborative was the IUP-Aerium UAS Workshop for Secondary Educators, which brought together fourteen teachers from eight school districts including Avonworth, Clearfield, Homer Center, Indiana, Latrobe, Marion Center, River Valley, and United.

Led by Dr. John Benhart and his team at IUP, this hands-on workshop provided training on:

FAA drone regulations and safety
Airspace navigation
Classroom integration strategies

Each educator left the program with a drone in hand—ready to bring drone technology directly into their classrooms.

Real Impact: From Curriculum to Career Readiness

The success of this collaborative is already taking shape in schools like Latrobe Junior High, where STEM teacher A.J. Heberkorn is leading a drone education program that explores applications in:

Agriculture
Construction
Public Safety

Students are gaining hands-on experience with drone systems while discovering real career opportunities in Pennsylvania’s growing UAS industry. It’s a perfect example of Aerium’s mission in motion—empowering educators, engaging students, and building the next generation of aerospace innovators.

Lifting Education. Launching Futures.

The Aerium-IUP Drone Curriculum Collaborative exemplifies how education, innovation, and industry can come together to create lasting impact. By embedding drone technology into classrooms across the Commonwealth, Aerium is helping Pennsylvania lead the nation in preparing students for the skies ahead.