Teacher Pack
Controller Basics
Grades 3-5 · Grades 6-9 · 40 minutes
Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to map each stick axis to a flight axis (throttle, yaw, pitch, roll).
- Students will be able to demonstrate Mode 2 stick controls.
- Students will be able to clear a gate sequence with three or fewer retries.
- Students will be able to explain how sensitivity affects precision.
Aligned Standards
CSTA2-AP-10· Use flowcharts to describe algorithmsCSTA2-CS-02· Design inputs/outputs for a purposeNGSSMS-ETS1-1· Define a design problemCCSS-Math6.NS.C.6· Coordinate plane & axesFAA-TRUSTTopic· Operating safely & controlling the aircraft
Lesson Plan Summary
- Warm-up
- Show a Mode 2 controller diagram. Ask students to predict what each stick does.
- Direct instruction
- Throttle controls vertical lift, yaw rotates the drone, pitch moves forward and back, and roll moves left and right. Sensitivity and dead zone affect control precision. Map throttle, yaw, pitch, and roll on the board with the Mode 2 layout.
- Guided activity
- Run the Yaw, Pitch, Roll Arena and try to clear the gate sequence with under three retries. In-app activity: Yaw, Pitch, Roll Arena. Related mission: gamepad.
- Assessment
- Student clears the gate sequence with under three retries. Complete the 5-question in-app quiz; reteach any question missed by more than 30% of students.
Educator-only resources
Full lesson plans, worksheets, rubrics, and answer keys are included with DroneReady Educator plans.