Drone Technology: How one woman’s passion for learning is transforming the Australian classroom

A progressive education provider has created a personalised, online professional learning program to give students an alternate view to learning through STEM.

The brainchild of She Maps, a national drone and geospatial education provider, Online Together integrates areas of technology, engineering, mathematics and science to prepare students for jobs of the future.

As a Certified Instructor and Education Lead - Programs at She Maps, Katie Vidal aspires to help teachers nationwide implement drone programs into their students’ daily learning.

“I run professional development for teachers both online and face-to-face, and teach face-to-face drone programs for students,” said Ms Vidal.

“During the past two years, with the effects of Covid on schools, She Maps strives to provide all of the support teachers need to start their own drone classes, whether they are running a Drone Club or even a STEM elective with drones.

“There are so many different career paths that students can investigate involving drones.

“Whether it's being a drone pilot and developing skills as a swarm artist, to becoming a remote sensing scientist who creates maps from their digital imagery.”

Ms Vidal, who also works as a primary school relief teacher in Canberra, believes that drone technology has the potential to improve the way in which students learn substantially.

“I have always believed in hands-on lessons. If a student is manipulating a material, a tool or even text, then there are opportunities for learning,” said Ms Vidal.

“Flying drones in a classroom setting is manipulating a tool to develop new skills, and to solve problems.”

Ms Vidal’s passion for drone technology unexpectedly sparked in 2018, when she caught up with her long-term friend, and the co-founder of She Maps, Dr Karen Joyce.

“Karen was my inspiration to join She Maps. She had worked as a Geospatial Engineer with my husband in the Australian Army,” said Ms Vidal.

“We caught up for dinner, and she mentioned the opportunity to train to become a She Maps Certified Instructor.”

Ms Vidal was instantly intrigued by She Maps - a social enterprise committed to offering girls opportunities to excel in STEM, as well as challenge the unconscious bias surrounding STEM.

“I remember the way Karen spoke with such passion about what She Maps was trying to achieve,” said Ms Vidal.

Having witnessed the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, Ms Vidal was determined to be a part of a cause that gave girls the support they needed to excel.

“I wanted to be a part of something that is the change for STEM education and careers,” said Ms Vidal.

“There are so few women working in STEM because it is still not flexible enough to allow women to both care for their families and have a career.”

“Young girls need advocates to help support them to give STEM a go. They need strong examples of women that are enjoying working in different aspects of STEM,

“But then it's not just the young girls' job! it's about the STEM workforce changing so that everyone feels like they belong. Yes, it is uncomfortable, but once the change is made, it becomes part of the work environment and becomes part of the framework.”

Staying true to its ethos, She Maps supported Ms Vidal herself to achieve in the world of drone technology and STEM.

“My own confidence was the initial challenge. As much as I wanted to do it, I had never flown a drone before,” said Ms Vidal.

“It took the skills and education I had as a teacher, and pushed me out of my comfort zone.”

"At the time that I became a Certified Instructor with She Maps, it was a job that I could see suiting me as a full-time Mum.

“It was casual and flexible, but also allowed me to challenge myself. Now I am a She Maps Certified Instructor and Education Lead.”

However, this is only the beginning for Ms Vidal who aims to spread the word about drone technology throughout Australian education.

“I work with a number of schools that are now running their own drone programs from Victoria to West Australia, and Queensland to Tasmania,” said Ms Vidal.

“Since April I have travelled as far north as the Sunshine Coast, instructed here in Canberra, down to Melbourne and Hobart, across to Perth, and regional areas including Wagga Wagga and Dubbo.

“Each school uses their drones in different ways and we want them to be completely confident in their drones, the resources they are using and the confidence in themselves to run successful programs.

“I hope that I can continue to do this for a number of years to come.”

Ms Vidal’s dedicated work at She Maps, and teaching has been recognised with her recently being named a finalist of the 2022 Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards in the Category of Partner Employee of the Year - an awards program aiming to celebrate top veteran employees.

“I was nominated by a friend who is a very strong advocate for Defence spouse employment.  I was interviewed and then I got the notification last week that I was a finalist," said Ms Vidal.

“It is the inaugural year for Defence partners to have their own categories so I feel a great sense of pride to be not only nominated by my peers, but even more so to be selected as a finalist.”

Advocating for change that will open hundreds of career pathways for students, it’s safe to say this Defence wife, mother-of-three, primary school teacher, and current She Maps Education Lead is transforming learning for the better.

“My goals involve the teachers and students that I support. I am continually looking for ways to improve the support we offer,” said Ms Vidal.

“I wanted to be a part of that influence for students and teachers, for them to see the opportunities in STEM for people from a diverse field of backgrounds.”

For more information about She Maps, please visit: www.shemaps.com.au.

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