Skip to the main content.

1 min read

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

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

Sign Up for Notifications

 
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.

More Episodes

How Texas Teacher of the Year Tanice Uses Experiential Learning

How Texas Teacher of the Year Tanice Uses Experiential Learning

Discover how Taniece Thompson-Smith uses experiential learning and project-based education to create equitable classrooms and foster curiosity in...

Read More
Beyond the Hype: AI's Real Impact on K-12 Learning with Nancy Ruzycki

Beyond the Hype: AI's Real Impact on K-12 Learning with Nancy Ruzycki

Discover the real impact of AI on K-12 learning with Nancy Ruzycki. Explore AI's role in education, limitations, and future implications in this...

Read More
Cross-curriculular science teaching using storytelling, technology, and Ai with Donnie Piercey

Cross-curriculular science teaching using storytelling, technology, and Ai with Donnie Piercey

Discover the impact of AI on education and the importance of adapting, innovating, and safeguarding in teaching with Dr. Faryal Shaukat and Dr....

Read More