K–6TechNest
Drone Programming
Code autonomous drones
Lars
OtisBefore you start
- Age band
- K–6
- Time
- 45–90 minutes
- Quest type
- Hanging Out
- Guardian
- Cass · Box Elder
- Materials needed
- DJI Tello Programmable Drone
- Spare Tello Propeller Set
- Tello Battery 3-Pack
Why this skill rocks
Whoa! Imagine telling a drone exactly what to do, like flying a perfect path to find a lost toy. You're the boss of the sky!
2034Where this could take you
When you're a teen in 2034, you could be programming drones to film amazing tricks at the Winter Olympics or even deliver important supplies across snowy mountains.
Optional grown-up materials
This quest works without a purchase. An adult can decide whether any material is useful.
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DJI Tello Programmable Drone
RequiredThe Tello is the go-to beginner drone for programming. It has a full Python SDK, a front camera, stable indoor hovering, and safety features that make it forgiving while you are learning. It connects to your computer over Wi-Fi — no special hardware needed.
Spare Tello Propeller Set
RequiredPropellers break during learning — it is not if, it is when. Having a spare set means you are back in the air in two minutes instead of waiting a week for shipping. Always fly with extras on hand.
Tello Battery 3-Pack
The Tello battery lasts about 13 minutes per charge. A three-pack keeps your coding sessions flowing without constant 90-minute charge breaks interrupting your momentum at the advanced stages of this quest.