11 Nov CT After School Programs: Local Innovation in Action

This weekend, STEMPILOT had the pleasure of attending the CT After School Network Conference in Hartford, CT. We connected with vendors, educators, and after-school program leaders who share our passion for hands-on, innovative STEM learning. Our mission was to showcase how CT After School Programs can benefit from STEMPILOT’s aviation and drone technology, bringing interactive STEM education to students beyond the traditional classroom.

Many attendees were excited to learn that STEMPILOT is proudly owned and operated in Connecticut! While our team spans both coasts, every simulator and drone kit is manufactured and assembled in Waterbury, CT, making us a true homegrown educational technology company.

Introducing the After School Aviation Lab

At the conference, we highlighted our newest initiative — the After School Aviation Lab Program — designed specifically for CT After School Programs. This curriculum turns learning into an adventure, allowing students to engage with the principles of flight, physics, and engineering through STEMPILOT simulators and structured lessons aligned with core STEM standards.

The After School Aviation Lab provides a complete framework for schools and community programs to introduce aviation to students in grades 4–12. From simulator missions to guided lessons on aerodynamics, students explore real-world STEM applications in a safe, structured, and exciting environment.

Educators at Hartford were thrilled to see how seamlessly the program integrates into after-school settings, offering flexible modules that work for both small and large groups.

Hands-On Learning with SafeDrone

We also brought our SafeDrone simulator to the event, giving educators a firsthand experience of how students can safely and efficiently practice drone operation. With AeroSIM Drone Training Software (Windows compatible), students achieve 100% proficiency in drone control virtually before flying real quadcopters in the classroom.

This approach ensures students master flight fundamentals, safety, and operation in a controlled digital environment. It also helps CT After School Programs save on equipment costs, reduce risk, and make their drone programs sustainable and scalable.

Locally Built. Globally Inspired. For the Classroom or AFTER SCHOOL

Our trip to Hartford reaffirmed what we’ve always known — Connecticut educators are ready to soar. Every STEMPILOT product, including our Edustation simulators and SafeDrone kits, is proudly built in Waterbury, CT, supporting local innovation while reaching students statewide.

By bringing CT After School Programs into our aviation-based STEM curriculum, we give students opportunities to explore flight, coding, and engineering in interactive, hands-on ways. These programs do more than teach — they inspire future pilots, engineers, and innovators.

The Future of CT After School Programs

As STEMPILOT expands throughout Connecticut and beyond, our goal remains clear: to empower schools and educators with tools that deliver meaningful, hands-on STEM learning experiences.

We’re proud to be part of the growing CT After School Programs community — where curiosity takes flight, and the sky is no longer the limit.