2025 STEM Choice Awards – Editor’s Choice: Best Aviation Product
In celebration of National Aviation Day on August 19th, we’re honoring the tools and technologies that help students take learning to new heights—literally.
As drone technology and flight simulators become powerful drivers in modern STEM and CTE education, we’re spotlighting the best classroom-ready solutions to explore the science of flight. From high-speed drone competitions to real-time coding and aerodynamic exploration, this year’s Editor’s Choice Awards – Aviation Edition showcases the top tools to launch students into the skies—and into future careers.
Competitive Aviation
Oriental Navigation – Drone Soccer Program
Drone Soccer brings teamwork, STEM learning, and adrenaline together in one unforgettable classroom experience. Students fly protective drone spheres inside an enclosed arena, scoring goals and learning engineering, repair, and communication skills along the way. A game? Absolutely. But also a hands-on gateway into aeronautics, electronics, and FAA-aligned skills.
Rocket Drones – FPV Drone Racing Program
Ready. Set. Race. The Rocket Drones FPV Racing Program puts students in the pilot seat—literally. This high-octane curriculum introduces first-person-view (FPV) flying while reinforcing physics, spatial reasoning, and engineering concepts. It’s the ultimate blend of competition and career prep.
Programming & Control
Firia Labs – DroneBlocks Python Coding Curriculum
Firia Labs delivers a powerful coding curriculum that pairs Python programming with drone flight missions. Students gain real-world programming skills by coding drones to fly autonomously, avoid obstacles, and complete challenges—preparing them for both classroom success and tech-forward futures.
CoDrone EDU—Classroom 18-Pack
The CoDrone EDU Classroom 18-Pack makes it easy for educators to bring drone programming to an entire class at once. Students learn to code their drones using block- or text-based programming while mastering flight skills, understanding drone physics, and tackling real-world missions. With built-in classroom management tools, safety features, and a versatile curriculum, it’s a perfect fit for schools looking to integrate aerial robotics into STEM programs.
Aerodynamics & Flight Science
PCS Edventures – Discover Drones Camp
Looking to build a complete drone program? Discover Drones is a full-scale educational experience that walks students through aerodynamics, flight safety, FAA regulations, and quadcopter construction. Ideal for middle school and high school programs, it includes everything from curriculum to flight-ready gear.
STEM Pilot – EDUSTATION Flight Simulator
With the EDUSTATION, students can learn the principles of flight and aerodynamics through immersive simulator controls. Perfect for aviation CTE programs, this system teaches takeoff, landing, and maneuvering fundamentals—no pilot license required.
OVERALL WINNER: Drone Legends
Why it soared above the rest:
Drone Legends’ STEM Fundamentals curriculum combines hands-on drone piloting with real-world STEM challenges. Designed for educators with no drone experience, as well as the educator who regularly uses drones in their classroom but are looking for new and engaging content to help introduce drones to their students. Includes everything needed for a classroom mission—including standards-aligned lesson plans, safety protocols, and built-in team collaboration.
The Drone Legends STEM Fundamentals comes in several options to customize for your program’s needs. You can get with or without drones if you already have your own Tello drones. You can get a small or large classroom package option. Drone Legends’ STEM Fundamental packages can be purchased with or without drone care.
Students don’t just fly drones—they become problem solvers, engineers, and future-ready thinkers.
Ready for Takeoff?
These award-winning drone and aviation products are more than just fun—they're your ticket to engaging, standards-aligned STEM instruction that prepares students for the future of flight, robotics, and beyond. Whether you're building a drone team, starting a coding club, or launching a flight-focused CTE pathway, STEMfinity has the tools to help your program take flight.
Deanna Peacock is a Senior STEM Expert and Key Account Manager—West Region at STEMfinity. A veteran art teacher turned STEM advocate, Deanna has spent more than two decades transforming classrooms into innovation hubs by blending creativity with cutting-edge STEM education. She specializes in helping schools, districts, and organizations implement hands-on learning environments that spark curiosity and cultivate 21st-century skills. Her unique background in the arts brings a fresh, interdisciplinary lens to STEM, making her a sought-after voice in the field of educational transformation.
In her words: “STEM can be accessible for all students and teachers regardless of age, ability, or background. By combining one or more of the key subject areas of STEM with hands-on project-based learning, students become engaged and have experiences of key understanding that go beyond any worksheet or lecture to create strong foundations for educational growth.”
