Hopper from For The Win Robotics

Drones are revolutionizing industries like logistics, agriculture, public safety, and infrastructure inspection, yet education has struggled to keep pace with these advancements. To bridge this gap, For The Win Robotics created Hopper—a hands-on learning tool that brings real-world drone technology into the classroom.

Designed with security, adaptability, and long-term use in mind, Hopper is more than just another STEM gadget—it’s a comprehensive learning platform with evolving technological advancements. With a blend of hardware and software, this cool tool enables students to develop practical skills in coding, engineering, and problem-solving. Built on an open framework that encourages exploration and innovation, it empowers educators to teach drone technology in a way that aligns with modern industry demands. For The Win Robotics designs, develops, manufactures, and services all its products in the U.S., ensuring quality and continued support for classrooms nationwide.

Hopper powers For The Win’s Build Fly Code (BFC), an evergreen, game-based learning and competition content platform that keeps students engaged with industry-relevant challenges. A key component of BFC is Build Fly Code Compete, a next-generation STEM and workforce readiness program that transforms the classroom into a five-week drone education and competition pathway. Build Fly Code Compete emphasizes experiential, real-world problem-solving, replete with career-focused challenges allowing students to compete against peers nationwide from their classrooms.

This tool helps students build both technical and soft skills that align with workforce demands. By learning to code, fly, and apply drone technology in technical settings, students also strengthen their problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration abilities. These combined skills are crucial across sectors where automation, data collection, and AI-driven decision-making are increasingly valued.

Unlike some traditional classroom technology, Hopper goes beyond the screen and bridges the gap between hands-on education and postsecondary pathways. It introduces students to concepts like digital literacy, coding, and more—skills sought after in high-demand, drone-enabled careers, from engineering to agriculture. For example, leveraging Hopper for environmental science curriculum can teach students about wildlife monitoring, environmental mapping, and land analysis, similar to the day-to-day responsibilities of conservation professionals. Students interested in engineering and construction can simulate site surveying and aerial inspections, mirroring real-world applications. Students exploring public safety can learn how drones assist in disaster response and search-and-rescue missions, and so on—all with the goal of providing exactly the offerings needed, in exactly the fields students are interested in.

Educators can integrate this tool across multiple subjects and grade levels with customizable lesson plans that leverage its programmable capabilities. Students can write their own code, test real-world applications, and refine their skills independently or in collaborative settings. Since For The Win regularly updates its challenges and learning modules, schools benefit from an adaptable tool that stays relevant, as opposed to requiring educators to make hardware upgrades. With its modular design and programmability, Hopper offers a long-term, sustainable investment that adapts as industries grow and technology evolves. Its flexibility ensures a strong return on investment while keeping students engaged with cutting-edge technology.

As drones become integral to modern industries, students who learn with this tool gain the confidence and skills to step into careers in technology, engineering, public safety, and beyond. Whether pursuing a college degree, enrolling in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, or entering the workforce directly, Hopper provides a foundation for success in the evolving job market.

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