For The Win Robotics was among the 35 edtech innovations highlighted by eSchool News at the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) 2023 in Orlando — one of the largest annual gatherings of K-12 technology leaders in the United States.
FETC 2023 drew thousands of educators, administrators, and edtech exhibitors, with the event's theme centering on equity, access, and post-pandemic healing in education. Among the innovations spotlighted, FTW Robotics stood out for its approach to making drone technology not just accessible but genuinely classroom-ready — with a full curriculum, teacher training, and competitive pathway built around the Hopper® drone.
What Made FTW Stand Out at FETC
At a conference filled with screen-based tools and software platforms, FTW Robotics brought something rare: physical, hands-on technology with a complete pedagogical framework around it. The Build Fly Code® curriculum wasn't just a drone and some lesson plans — it was a fully developed educational system with hardware, software, professional development for teachers, and a national competition pathway.
Educators at the conference responded to the combination of NDAA-compliant, American-made hardware with a curriculum that aligned directly with CTE standards, STEM frameworks, and the 21st-century skills that district leaders consistently identify as priorities. The competitive element — Build Fly Code Compete — particularly resonated with administrators looking for ways to engage students who don't participate in traditional extracurriculars.
The FETC Context
FETC has historically been one of the first major windows into what edtech tools will define the coming school year. Being featured among 35 notable innovations at FETC 2023 placed FTW Robotics alongside some of the most consequential education technology being deployed in classrooms nationwide, and helped accelerate its expansion into new districts following the conference.
This article appeared in eSchool News Digital Learning. Full article available to registered readers at the link below.