The program An Experiential and Data-driven Approach to Agricultural Education (ADVANCE) is a face-to-face professional workforce development opportunity that provides educators with the knowledge, experience, curriculum resources, supplies/equipment, and mentoring to support the implementation of drones and precision agriculture concepts in the classroom.

This is primarily a hands-on, field-based professional development program. After completing the ADVANCE program (which includes both virtual and face-to-face instruction), participants will be FAA remote pilot certified, knowledgeable, and experienced in implementing a complete drone-based data collection workflow.

Educators will receive a stipend, a mini-grant, free virtual training (in preparation for the remote pilot test), paid registration for the FAA's remote pilot certificate, face-to-face instruction, & more!

All expenses are covered (except for travel to/from the workshop in Blacksburg).

Target Audience: High school educators and/or 2-year college faculty teaching STEM-related courses (agriculture, forestry, biology, environmental science, robotics, or related topics). Applications from CTE teachers are encouraged. Applications from educators at the same school/school district are encouraged (separate applications are needed, though).

When (face-to-face workshop at Virginia Tech): June 1-4, 2026

(The virtual learning sessions will begin in late fall 2025/early 2026).

Topics: Precision Agriculture / Mapping with Drones / Data-Driven Decisions / Collecting data with sensors / Remote Sensing / Workflows

Additional information and online registration are available from: www.vtadvance.net

Application deadline: October 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified of acceptance shortly after the application deadline.