Participants of the Micro-Drone Games competition 3D-printed their own drone parts
The Micro-Drone Games competition for children of fallen defenders, military personnel, and veterans aged 6 to 17 took place in the capital. The initiative was implemented by NGO Myloserdia ta Zdorovia together with the Free Sky school as part of a joint STEM project. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Лев Шевченко) citing NGO Myloserdia ta Zdorovia, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Participants demonstrated drone piloting skills in a confined space, navigating various obstacles, including tunnels and frames. This tournament marked the beginning of the season for students of the engineering and technology school, who prepared thoroughly by mastering 3D printing and design principles. Many elements used during the flights were created by the children themselves on specialized equipment.
Prospects for engineering education
Free Sky instructor Serhiy Tkachuk emphasized that the curriculum focuses primarily on civil applications for unmanned technologies. The knowledge acquired through the course opens up extensive career growth opportunities for teenagers in the agricultural sector, media production, and logistics. School training is conducted in phases, starting from mastering virtual simulators to practical configuration and self-assembly of aerial vehicles.
The training methodology has proven effective, as some graduates have since joined the school staff as engineers and instructors. Furthermore, students have already demonstrated high results at the national level: last year, student Nazar won the title of Ukrainian champion despite starting with zero experience. Organizers explain these successes by adapting music education principles to technical disciplines.
Supporting defenders’ families
Director of NGO Myloserdia ta Zdorovia Kateryna Bohadelnikova noted that developing the STEM direction is a logical extension of the organization’s work on the psychological and physical rehabilitation of veterans. Given the rapid growth of Ukraine’s defense-tech sector, providing children with high-quality technical education is the best investment in their future. The organization has extensive experience working with military families, particularly through the Summer Without War project, which has assisted over 6,000 children in the last four years.
According to the organization’s leader, the current demand is to transition from episodic charity to long-term professional programs. Involving socially responsible businesses should help cultivate a new generation of specialists capable of building the country’s engineering capital. The project is focused on providing long-term support to children in difficult life circumstances, giving them competitive advantages in the future job market.
Photo: ГО «Милосердя та Здоров’я»
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