Education to take flight with drones this upcoming year at Broward schools

FORT LAUDERDALE - In an effort to expand STEM educational opportunities for kids, Broward schools are introducing drones and competitive gaming to elementary schools starting this year.

STEM is an interdisciplinary approach to learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

CBS News Miami visited Nova Eisenhower Elementary in Davie on Tuesday where we watched education take flight, including seeing students fly drones in the classroom.

Demi, an 8-year-old student at the school, enjoys learning to fly a drone and excels in problem solving by building in the world of Minecraft. Her smile lit up the room as she showed us her house design alongside other students.

For the first time, Broward Schools is offering drones and future Esports competition opportunities with Minecraft for elementary students.

"Problems today might be in the Minecraft world, but they might be solving the problems of climate change tomorrow," said Dr. Lisa V. Milenkovic, Broward Schools supervisor for STEM + Computer Science Applied Learning.

Milenkovic said the competition events will help boost team building and leadership skills while supporting STEM learning to channel students' ingenuity.

Delani, a 10-year-old student at the school who is Demi's older sister, designed what she described as her future home while their mom proudly watched in the background.

Carla Hibbert, the girls' mother, said they can express their creativity while also developing critical thinking skills. – just some of the goals of the program.

Click here to learn more about the STEM educational opportunities available at your child's school in Broward.