This fall, three Penn Hills High School students, Atheena Burnett, Ashleigh Pickens, and Alonah Darwin, were selected to participate in the Fly Like a Girl Drone Academy, an exclusive regional program designed to empower young women through STEM education, aviation, and technology.

Guided by Penn Hills Innovation Institute Fellow and teacher Marlon Heywood, the students are part of a select group chosen for the Fall 2025 cohort. The program led by FAA-certified instructor Dr. Lori Paluti prepares students to earn their FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot License, opening pathways to careers in drone technology, engineering, cinematography, agriculture, and public safety.

“This is a moment of pride for Penn Hills,” said Dr. John Mozzocio, Superintendent. “Our students are learning advanced technical skills, but more importantly, they’re seeing what’s possible when confidence and curiosity take flight.”

The academy combines both theory and hands-on instruction, allowing students to pilot drones, study aerodynamics, and engage in STEM problem-solving, all while developing leadership, precision, and teamwork skills. Over the course of 25 instructional hours, participants gain experience that connects directly to real-world career opportunities.

“When our students step behind the controller, they’re not just flying drones they’re discovering their potential,” said Marlon Heywood.

This program is powered by the Remake Learning Moonshot Grant, which supports bold, experimental ideas that reimagine the future of learning for students across the Pittsburgh region. The Fly Like a Girl Drone Academy stands as a powerful example of what happens when partnership, mentorship, and opportunity come together. Because of this support, these students are breaking barriers and proving that the sky is not the limit.