Students Soar in First Ever Drones in School Florida Championship at Embry-Riddle, Sponsored by FPL

inaugural event brought 32 teams in for the event

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – Students from across Florida soared to new heights at the ground-breaking Drones in School Florida State Championship, held last week at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

Sponsored by Florida Power & Light Company, this inaugural event brought 32 teams—a mix of 16 high school and 16 middle school teams—to compete for a chance to advance to the national conference in May.

“I love this program because I like bonding with my team, and I’m gaining so much experience,” said Ethan Henry, a student at A.D. Henderson University School. “I want to be an electrical engineer when I grow up, and I’m going to need to know these key components.”

The event, supported by FPL and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, showcased the remarkable talent and technical prowess of local students participating in the Drones in School program.

The competition featured challenging obstacles, scrimmages, and capture-the-flag drills, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved. For many participants, this experience was more than just a competition; it was an instrumental opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, mentors, and industry professionals who share a passion for drone technology.

“Through the Drones in School program, students can learn about engineering, design, electronics, project management, video production, and more,” said Tad Douce, Executive Director – EduEverything, Inc. “It’s more than just flying drones; it is an entrepreneurship program where students start their own company, and that company is a drone racing team.”

In addition to competing, students had the chance to explore Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Embry-Riddle offers a comprehensive program covering drone and autonomous robotics across space, ground, and maritime domains.

“At FPL, we are deeply committed to supporting the advancement of robotics and drones in education. It has been inspiring to watch this STEM Sport advance in our state,” said Sarah Marmion, FPL senior manager for education programs.

“This program provides students with the tools and opportunities to explore and excel in cutting-edge technology and together with our partners, we are helping build a brighter future for all.”

This marks FPL’s fifth year of proudly supporting the Drones in School program. By utilizing small-scale drone technology, the program equips students with vital technical skills tailored for the rapidly growing drone industry.

Through this initiative, FPL reinforces its dedication to STEM education, providing students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for the future.

The winning schools and students from the competition include:
High School Overall Placing
● First place: Sigma Six from Navarre High School – Navarre, FL.
● Second place: Seacoast from Seacoast Collegiate High School – Santa Rosa Beach, FL.
● Third place: Eagles from Donna Klein Jewish Academy – Boca Raton, FL.
Middle School Overall Placing
● First place: 6 Arrows from A.D. Henderson Lab School – Boca Raton, FL.
● Second place: Cypress Speeds from A.D. Henderson Lab School – Boca Raton, FL.
● Third place: Eagles Perch from Donna Klein Jewish Academy – Boca Raton, FL.

For more information about FPL’s commitment to education, drones and robotics, please visit www.FPL.com/Education

Florida Power & Light Company
As America’s largest electric utility, Florida Power & Light Company serves more customers and sells more power than any other utility, providing clean, affordable, reliable electricity to more than 6 million accounts, or approximately 12 million people. FPL operates one of the most fuel efficient and cleanest power generation fleets in the U.S and in 2022 won the ReliabilityOne® National Reliability Award for the seventh time in the last ten years. The company was also recognized by Escalent in 2022 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities for the ninth consecutive year.

FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com

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