St. Vrain Innovation Center orchestrates dazzling drone display

In a stunning display of technological prowess, the Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools illuminated the night sky on Thursday, Nov. 21 with a mesmerizing drone show featuring 300 synchronized aerial performers. Under the guidance of Drone Performance Team Coordinator Danny Hernandez, students demonstrated their mastery of this cutting-edge technology.

Hernandez, now in his second year at the Innovation Center, brings 28 years of experience with the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) to the program. His journey from teaching math at Trail Ridge Middle School and leading robotics and computer programming at Westview Middle School has culminated in pioneering drone technology education.

The current drone team comprises approximately 30 Innovation Center students, each contributing unique skills to the production. Project managers can work remotely, while pilots are hands-on ensuring drone readiness. Animators create stunning visual displays from their classrooms or a remote setting. This flexible structure allows students to balance their academic responsibilities while gaining hands-on experience in drone technology.

Thursday's performance featured 13 distinct animations, with each animation requiring approximately 5-6 hours of development time, resulting in more than 70 total hours in preparation for the show. The team also arrived four hours before showtime to complete the extensive setup process.

Hernandez explained that the complexity of drone choreography involves numerous variables. Factors such as altitude, weather conditions, and air density all affect battery consumption. Static formations, such as mascot displays, consume less power than dynamic animations requiring constant movement.

The team operates within strict safety parameters, maintaining a legal maximum altitude of 400 feet and ensuring a minimum eight-foot separation between drones. Sophisticated software alerts operators if drones approach too closely, preventing potential collisions.

The Innovation Center's drone program has already launched several successful careers. Seven current students work with industry partner Brightflight Drone Shows, and two program alumni now pilot professionally while studying aerospace at CU. The program has previously collaborated with Brightflight to execute even larger displays, combining fleets to operate 400 drones simultaneously.

Post-show operations are equally demanding, with team members dedicating many hours to maintenance, troubleshooting, and recalibration of any drones that required attention during the performance. This meticulous attention to detail ensures the fleet remains show-ready for upcoming performances, already scheduled to begin after Thanksgiving break.

The success of the drone program exemplifies the Innovation Center's commitment to preparing students for emerging technologies. As drone technology continues to evolve, St. Vrain Valley Schools stands at the forefront of education, providing students with direct industry experience and career opportunities in this rapidly growing field.