Internships

Students Earn FAA Part 107 Certification

This summer, the Alignment Collaborative for Education partnered with Northern Kane County Region 110 and Central Unit School District 301 to launch its first-ever Drone Internship, providing students with hands-on experience in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the aviation industry while helping shape the future of career and technical education in Northern Kane County.

The internship was developed in response to Central Unit School District 301’s plans to introduce a regional Career and Technical Education (CTE) aviation pathway. As drone technology continues to transform industries including aviation, public safety, construction, agriculture, real estate, and infrastructure, the internship offered students an opportunity to explore emerging careers while earning valuable industry credentials.

“Every four years the region undergoes a deep dive into the career and technical education offerings as part of our federal and state grants cycles,” said Terry Stroh, Director of the Northern Kane County Region 110 Education for Employment (EFE) System. “Much like our First Responder Internship from just a few years back, internship opportunities like the FAA Drone Program give us the opportunity to gauge interest in new programs before their launch within schools. This summer’s Drone Program has not only allowed us to measure student interest, but also the high level of success we can achieve. This program will introduce students to many of the exciting career opportunities available throughout the aviation field.”

The internship also serves as an important foundation for Central Unit School District 301’s expanding aviation programming.

“I am thrilled that Central 301 has launched a high school-based regional aviation pathway,” said Stephen Buchs, Director of Curriculum 6–12 for Central Unit School District 301. “The aviation field is often overlooked by students and families unless they are personally connected to the career field, and bringing this option into our public schools will open the eyes of both students and the community. By offering high-impact opportunities in pilot flight training, commercial drone operations, and aviation maintenance, we are creating unprecedented opportunities for students in Central 301 and across Northern Kane County to pursue these career pathways. It is a true community launchpad that will prepare high school students to lead the future of the aerospace industry.”

The success of the inaugural Drone Internship was made possible through the collaboration of educators and work-based learning partners who helped transform an innovative idea into a meaningful student experience.

“Bridging the gap between the classroom and the aviation industry requires an extraordinary team effort,” said Dr. Todd Stirn, Work-Based Learning Specialist. “Sparked by Nancy Coleman’s initial vision, I designed and built it into a 60-hour internship curriculum that was brought to life in collaboration with instructor Brayden Teele and director Stephen Buchs. This internship sets a new benchmark for work-based learning. We aren’t just preparing students for an FAA exam; we are equipping them with the real-world operational skills to launch high-skill careers.”

Led by Brayden Teele, Computer Science and Math Teacher at Central High School, the internship provided students with the instruction and flight experience needed to prepare for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, the federal certification required to operate drones commercially in the United States.

“This outstanding group of students demonstrated exceptional dedication and a strong commitment to expanding their knowledge of the drone industry,” Teele said. “By earning their FAA Part 107 license, they are taking an important step toward developing valuable career-ready skills in aviation, technology, photography, mapping, and commercial drone operations. Their willingness to challenge themselves through this internship reflects their work ethic, curiosity, and determination to succeed. We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing the many opportunities their Part 107 license will create.”

Eleven student interns participated in the inaugural program, gaining both technical knowledge and real-world experience. For Central High School student Ruans Parikh, the internship offered lessons that extended beyond drone operations. “This internship taught me that knowledge alone doesn’t create success. Success comes from putting ideas into action, adapting to unexpected challenges, and taking ownership of every result along the way.”

The Alignment Collaborative for Education is grateful to Central Unit School District 301, Central High School, and the dedicated educators who made this inaugural Drone Internship possible. Together, we are creating innovative pathways that prepare students for high-demand careers while strengthening the future workforce of Northern Kane County.