Teaching with Technology: AI, Drones, and Real-World Problem Solving with Denise Renfro

ScIC "Science is Cool" Unplugged

Engaging students through hands-on activities and innovative learning. Denise Renfro, from the Academy of Green Technology, discusses the hands-on approach to learning and the use of AI in the classroom. The Academy offers courses on sustainability, renewable energy, drones, and more. Denise emphasizes the importance of engaging students and encourages teachers to start with simple hands-on activities. She also suggests seeking local grants and support from industry partners. Denise believes that AI can enhance learning and problem-solving skills, but acknowledges the need for responsible usage and teacher guidance. Denise Renfro discusses the use of drones in education and the energy industry. She shares examples of how her students have used drones to study corrosion on the Mars rover and to explore the role of drones in the energy industry. Denise also mentions the National STEM Challenge and the potential for using drones in film projects. She and Dave brainstorm ideas for remote drone activities and discuss the pressure drop when a drone takes off from the ground. ABOUT DENISE

Denise Weinhoeft Renfro, MS, is the Director for the Academy of Green Technology at Douglas Bryd High School in Fayetteville, NC. The Academy of Green Technology is a four-year Career and Technical Education Academy that focuses on preparing students for careers in renewable energy generation with a focus on solar energy. Renfro has degrees in physical education and physical sciences from Indiana University, and she has been a teacher for over 35 years. She recently received the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Education from the EPA for her efforts to provide STEM opportunities to her students, specifically as it relates to the environment, and she received the Governor’s Discovery Award to help fund professional development of her choosing. Renfro also serves as the Chairman of the Board for Sustainable Sandhills, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and enhancing the communities and environment of the eight county region of the Sandhills through education, demonstration, and collaboration.