In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill Foley speaks with Scott Buell, Founder of Drone Legends, about bringing real-world drone applications into K-12 learning. From Mars exploration and medical delivery to precision agriculture and infrastructure inspection, Scott maps how drones are reshaping work and why early exposure matters.

Scott shares the Drone Legends K-12 aviation pathway—from story-driven experiences in early grades to autonomous flight, coding, drone racing, and FAA Part 107 prep in high school. He also unpacks teacher-first onboarding, unlimited PD and tech support, and practical advice for edtech founders navigating funding cycles and commercialization.

If you’re curious about authentic STEM engagement, building career-connected pathways, and what’s ahead at the intersection of drones, AI, and edutainment, this conversation delivers.

Key Moments

01:06 Drones for Good: Real-world impact from Mars to medicine

02:45 Drones and Data: How STEM meets science and conservation

04:13 Building a K-12 aviation pathway that links missions to careers

05:55 Little Legends: Story-based, screen-light learning for early grades

06:59 Drone racing, esports, and FAA Part 107 classroom prep

08:44 From corporate to classroom: The founder’s turning point

17:49 Designing onboarding that starts with empathy

21:28 Beyond the AI bubble: The Drone Legends edutainment vision

24:35 Funding realities and diversification for edtech founders

28:39 Where to connect: Building community around learning innovation

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode shows how to make STEM hands-on and future-ready.
You’ll hear how a classroom moment became a movement, and why teacher experience, scaffolding, and PD are the levers that scale.

Scott also shares:
- How mission-based lessons connect coding to real work
- Why empathy for educators drives product success
- Where esports and certification fit into career pathways
- How to navigate volatile funding with diversified revenue

Connect with Scott Buell
Drone Legends: https://www.dronelegends.com/

Connect with Us
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
Company Website: https://flexion.us/

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.