Dear (Potential Sponsor/Business Partner):
OSU Extension and Circleville City Schools District are very excited to participate in our second scholastic drone racing season. Students will learn to build, fly, repair and race drones in an educational setting. Not only will drones be part of the program, but other standard electronic components will also be used in additional projects as part of the overall content. This program attracts students to STEM-based learning while having an amazing experience in a competitive environment. OSU Extension is actively trying to support more Pickaway County school districts in joining this new tech sport but more community and business sponsorship are needed.
Video of 2019 Circleville City Schools District drone racing team, Maker X video highlight, an event held in Columbus, OH, by Meghan Thoreau, retrieved from: youtu.be/ITxWx-4jQXU.
As job opportunities in STEM continue to rise, we need qualified candidates to fill those positions. Programs like this are critical to engaging our students early so they are prepared for these STEM opportunities when they graduate/enter college.
- Only 28 percent of high school freshmen are interested in studying a STEM subject after high school
- Only 16 percent of high school students overall are interested in a STEM career and are skilled in mathematical subjects
- 57 percent of the aforementioned students are predicted to lose interest in STEM before graduating from high school
This program engages our students, keeps them interested in STEM-based learnings, challenges their creativity, recruits students who would not have a previous interest in STEM while being fun and exciting. Who doesn’t want to fly a drone?!
There are however many expenses associated with running the program and we rely on help from sponsorship partners like yourself and the support of local businesses. We know that you are a champion to help support underfunded programs such as this and will help immensely in getting more students involved that would not have had an opportunity to participate.
Your $1000 donation provides enough equipment for up to 6 students to join the program with spare parts for one season, and a basic obstacle kit with flags and gates. We would proudly add your logos to our flags as a “thank you!” These flags will be featured prominently and will be seen by all visitors and participants at our races.
We do hope that this is something you might be willing to consider. We can provide you with further details and I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about this.
Thank you for giving this your consideration! If you’re ready to give your support or become a business partner please contact, Meghan Thoreau, OSU Extension Educator, thoreau.1@osu.edu.
Current Community Scholastic Drone Racing Partners
