Taking Flight: Penn Hills Launches Drones Led by Marlon Heywood

Innovation often begins with a single spark, an idea, a teacher, and a classroom full of curiosity ready to take off.

This semester, that spark came from Marlon Heywood, a member of the Penn Hills Innovation Institute and visionary educator who introduced a Drone Pilot Course to Penn Hills High School. The program marks the first of its kind in the district a pilot designed to blend STEM learning, flight technology, and career exploration into one dynamic, hands-on experience.

“This is what innovation looks like teachers empowered to create, explore, and bring the future into the classroom,” said Dr. Matt Dado, Director of Technology and Innovation. “Marlon saw an opportunity to engage students in something cutting-edge, and the results speak for themselves.”

The Pilot Takes Off

The drone course, launched during the first semester, introduces students to the science of flight, aerodynamics, FAA safety principles, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations.

The course emphasizes problem-solving, teamwork, and responsibility, preparing students for potential certifications like the FAA Part 107 Drone License, which opens doors to careers in surveying, cinematography, agriculture, public safety, and more.

This groundbreaking pilot was made possible through a partnership with Dr. Lori Paluti, FAA-certified drone instructor, who worked alongside Heywood to guide students through professional-level flight procedures and safety protocols.

“When students pick up a controller, their entire perspective changes,” said Heywood. “They’re not just flying drones, they’re learning discipline, precision, and creativity. They see the connection between technology and opportunity.”

Empowering Innovation Through The Penn Hills Innovation Institute

Heywood’s Drone Pilot Course is a project to emerge from the Penn Hills Innovation Institute, an initiative designed to cultivate creative educators and student-centered innovation across the district.

The Institute empowers students, teachers, and community members to propose, design, and pilot new learning experiences that stretch beyond traditional classrooms. Selected members known as Innovation Fellows receive mentorship, resources, and district support to bring their ideas to life.

“We built the Innovation Institute as a runway,” said Dr. Dado. “When you invest in their creativity, they build experiences that completely transform how students learn. Marlon’s drone program is proof of that.”

Looking Ahead: Expanding Opportunities

Following the success of this semester’s pilot, the district plans to evaluate expanding drone programming in future semesters, potentially aligning it with the PHorge Academy.

The long-term vision is to give students hands-on technical skills and certifications that prepare them for both college and the modern workforce.

“This is only the beginning,” said Heywood. “The goal is to build something sustainable a program that grows with our students and evolves with technology.”

Reimagining What’s Possible

In Penn Hills, innovation doesn’t just live in theory, it lives in classrooms, in teachers willing to try something new, and in students discovering what they’re capable of.

The Drone Pilot Course isn’t just about flight, it’s about giving students the confidence to rise, explore, and see their world from a new perspective.

Because in Penn Hills, we’re not just talking about innovation. We’re teaching it to fly.