Behind the Drone Show: Building a Student-Run Enterprise

A professional drone show looks effortless, but behind the scenes it requires project management, client contracts, 3D animation, music, aviation logistics, and quality assurance. In this hands-on workshop, St. Vrain Valley Schools educators, student team members, and industry partners from Firefly Drone Shows take you inside a real student-run enterprise at the district's Innovation Center. Follow the lifecycle of an actual project, from client intake and FAA and venue approvals to animation, testing, live performance, and invoicing. Student project managers, animators, and pilots will demonstrate their professional roles, and industry partners will share how partnerships can move beyond guest speakers to provide training, mentorship, and employment pathways. You will see how one authentic client project can power a multidisciplinary CTE enterprise spanning business, digital media, aviation, and engineering. Then you will begin designing your own student enterprise with a framework that connects client, challenge, team, roles, industry mentor, deliverable, feedback, portfolio, and career connection across pathways such as IT, media, cybersecurity, and design. All workshops are BYOD and require All Access or Session + Registration to attend.