Brevig Mission Students Take Flight with Technology

During the spring semester, T3 Alaska students in Brevig Mission continued building their technology skills through hands-on projects that challenged them to learn new tools, solve problems, and keep pushing forward when things became difficult. Veteran T3 Alaska Coach Mark Torrechiva adeptly supported the student learning through several projects.

Students spent much of the semester working with Raspberry Pi (RPi) computers. Students who had previous experience building and programming RPis stepped into leadership roles, helping newer students learn the process and supporting their classmates through challenges. This peer-to-peer learning created a strong club environment where students became both learners and teachers.

After setting up their RPis, students began exploring programming with sensors using Node-RED. They learned how to create visual code flows that collected and displayed data from different sensors. The process included plenty of troubleshooting, unexpected errors, and opportunities to practice growth mindset. Instead of giving up when something didn’t work, students worked together to test solutions, identify problems, and improve their programs.

Later in the semester, students took their learning outdoors with drones. Because many students already had experience flying, they were able to focus on improving their flight skills, practicing safe operations, and capturing aerial footage around Brevig Mission. Clear spring weather provided excellent opportunities for students to strengthen their confidence with drone technology.

These experiences are helping students develop skills that are increasingly valuable in today’s workforce. Through continued drone practice, students are building a foundation for future opportunities such as earning FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates and exploring careers that use drone technology for mapping, infrastructure, environmental monitoring, and other real-world applications.

The Brevig Mission T3 Club showed that some of the best learning happens when students work together. Experienced students became mentors, challenges became opportunities to grow, and every success was earned through persistence. As students continue building skills in programming and drone technology, they are creating a strong foundation for future education and career opportunities. We are grateful for the support of the Brevig Mission community and T3 Alaska Coach Mark Torrechiva for helping make these experiences possible.