Robot Rabbits vs. Pythons LEGO Spike Engineering

Download this as a PDF to use in class or at home!

Today you are an engineer! Your mission is to design and build a robot rabbit that can move in a rabbit-like way. We’ll use the Engineering Design Process:

Challenge → Brainstorm → Design → Create → Test → Improve → Share

Real-World Context: In Florida’s Everglades, invasive Burmese pythons hurt native wildlife. Engineers experiment with “robot rabbits” to lure and safely capture pythons so scientists can protect other animals.
Your goal: Build a rabbit-like robot that shows realistic motion (hopping, moving forward, or “being interesting” to a predator) and can keep moving without falling apart.

Challenge

Deep in the Florida Everglades, something unusual is hopping into action. It’s not a real rabbit—it’s a robot bunny! And this little machine has a big job: helping scientists fight one of the Everglades’ most dangerous invaders, the Burmese python.

Why Pythons Are a Big Problem

Burmese pythons are not supposed to live in Florida. They came to the U.S. as pets in the 1970s, but some were released into the wild. By the 1980s, they were living and breeding in the Everglades.

These snakes are huge—some grow over 18 feet long—and they eat almost anything they can catch. That includes raccoons, rabbits, opossums, bobcats, and even deer.

Scientists found that in parts of the Everglades, mammal populations have dropped by more than 90%. For example, marsh rabbits, a favorite python snack, have nearly disappeared. With so many animals gone, the entire ecosystem is out of balance.

Today, there may be tens of thousands of Burmese pythons in Florida, and they’re spreading farther north each year.

The Idea of Robot Rabbits

To stop the pythons, researchers at the University of Florida came up with a creative plan: build fake rabbits that trick the snakes.

These aren’t ordinary toys. Each robo-bunny is stuffed with special electronics:

Motors to make it move and hop.
Heaters to give it the same warm body temperature as a real rabbit.
Cameras and sensors to alert scientists when a python comes close.
Solar panels so they can recharge in the Florida sun.

From far away, they look just like marsh rabbits—the kind pythons love to eat.

When a python slithers near, the robot alerts the research team. The hope is that the snakes can then be caught before they eat more of Florida’s wildlife.

Why Not Use Real Rabbits?

Scientists tried that years ago. They placed live rabbits in pens, and pythons showed up almost every week. But caring for live animals across the huge Everglades was too difficult and not very kind to the rabbits.

The robo-bunnies solve that problem. They can survive in water, mud, and rain, and they don’t need food or care. Some researchers are even testing if adding rabbit scent will make the robots more convincing.

Other Ways Florida Fights Pythons

Robot rabbits aren’t the only strategy. Florida has tried many ways to reduce the python population, including:

Hiring expert hunters, even bringing in snake catchers from India.
Holding the Florida Python Challenge, a yearly event where hunters compete for cash prizes by capturing snakes.
Paying full-time hunters who get bonuses for catching longer snakes. Since 2019, hunters have removed more than 15,000 pythons.

Even with these efforts, the snakes are still winning. That’s why scientists are excited to try bold ideas—like robo-bunnies.

Could Robo-Bunnies Save the Day?

The project is still in its early stages. Right now, scientists are testing 40 robo-bunnies in different areas of South Florida. If they work, they could help hunters find more pythons, faster, and bring back balance to the Everglades.

It may sound a little silly to fight giant snakes with toy rabbits. But sometimes, solving big problems requires small, creative solutions.

As one scientist put it: “After 10 years of studying the problem, you don’t just want to watch it happen—you want to do something.”

And maybe, just maybe, robo-bunnies are the heroes the Everglades have been waiting for.

Brainstorm

Come up with ideas on how to solve the problem.

List or sketch 3 different features that are important to include with our robot.

Parts or mechanisms we might try (check any):
☐ Legs with hinges ☐ Wheels as “feet” ☐ Cams/lifters ☐ Rubber band power
☐ Gear train ☐ Counterweights ☐ Tail/ears for balance

Design

Sketch out your robot plan. What parts do you think you will need to make your rabbit a reality?

Create

Build your robot using the materials you have. You can build a robot rabbit using a LEGO Spike Essential Kit, a LEGO Spike Prime Kit, or just LEGOs you have with you.

Build checklist:
☐ Frame is sturdy
☐ Moving parts don’t jam
☐ Battery/motor (if used) is secured
☐ Nothing sharp or loose

Test

Try out your LEGO Robot to see if it works.

Mark a start line and a goal line. Clear the path.

Run your trials and record results:

Trial	Went Straight? (Y/N)	Distance (cm)	Stayed Together? (Y/N)	Notes
1
2
3

Did it meet your success criteria?
☐ Yes ☐ Not yet

Improve

Make changes to make your robot rabbit work better.

What didn’t work the way we wanted?

Change we will try:

Why we think it will help:

Re-test results (pick one):
☐ Better ☐ Same ☐ Worse

Our robot did not hop correctly. We changed our code to make it hop in a more bunny-like manner. Another problem we faced was that the snakes hunt by temperature and scent detection. Adding a "Hot Hands" and some rabbit spray to our bot, it made the snake more likely to approach.

Name of our robot rabbit: _______________________________________

How it works (in one or two sentences):

What we’re proud of: _____________________________________________

What we would try next time: ______________________________________

Share your robot in the comments on our YouTube page!

Reflection (Optional)

One thing I learned about engineering: ______________________________

One thing I learned about invasive species: __________________________

A new idea I want to try: __________________________________________

Quick Checklist

☐ I completed all 7 steps
☐ I tested at least 3 times
☐ I improved my design
☐ I can explain how my robot works

A robot rabbit stands near a snake with its mouth open

Mars Mission : Activate Communications

Activate Mars Communications Challenge

🧭 Mission Brief

You’re designing and programming a LEGO Spike Prime rover to navigate across a Martian landscape, activate an underground communications satellite, and send a “signal” back to Earth—just like real Mars rovers supporting human exploration.

🎯 Challenge Instructions

Phase 1: The Challenge

Objective: Drive your rover from base, push the hidden activation button in the ground, deploy the satellite, and broadcast the signal.
Rules: Start inside base. No touching robot outside base. Mission success when rover triggers satellite and returns.
BUILD: Build the satellite mission model with directions in the YouTube video.

Phase 2: Brainstorm & Sketch

Draw a rough prototype: What sensors will you need? How will you push the satellite activation? How will you detect and line up with the button?

Phase 3: Complete the Challenge

Deep Space Communication

Satellite dishes are a type of antenna that uses radio waves to receive or transmit data. On a human mission to Mars, they’d be used to transmit messages between Earth and Mars. Radio waves travel at the speed of light, and because the distance between Earth and Mars is variable, there’s an approximate delay of between four and twenty-four minutes in communication between the planets.

NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN)

NASA operates a global system of giant antennas called the Deep Space Network. These are located in:

California (Goldstone)
Spain (Madrid)
Australia (Canberra)

They’re spaced around the Earth to allow constant communication with distant spacecraft. The dishes are huge—up to 70 meters wide—so they can catch the tiny signals sent from across the solar system.

Delay in Space Communication

Because radio waves travel at the speed of light, there’s a delay when sending or receiving signals from space.

A message from Earth to Mars can take anywhere from 4 to 24 minutes one way.
Voyager 1, the farthest human-made object, takes over 21 hours to send a signal back!

This is why real-time conversations with astronauts on Mars would be impossible.

Laser Communication Is the Future

NASA is testing laser-based communication, which can send more data much faster than traditional radio waves.

It’s called Deep Space Optical Communication.
In 2024, a laser from the Psyche spacecraft sent data over 140 million miles at speeds up to 25 megabits per second!

This could be the key to streaming high-quality video from the Moon or Mars one day.

What the Deep Space Network Does

The DSN does more than just listen. It:

Sends commands to spacecraft
Tracks their speed and location
Receives science data
Helps navigate through space

Without the DSN, we’d lose contact with most space missions!

Why Three Locations?

Each DSN station is 120 degrees apart around the Earth so that at least one of them always has a view of a spacecraft, even as the Earth rotates. This setup allows 24/7 communication with distant probes.

Satellites Closer to Earth Use a Different System

Satellites that orbit Earth don’t use the Deep Space Network. They use a different group of ground stations called the Near Earth Network. These satellites help with weather forecasting, GPS, and communications here on Earth.

The SCaN Program

NASA's Space Communications and Navigation program (SCaN) manages all the networks—both for deep space and near Earth. They’re responsible for upgrading antennas, developing new technology like lasers, and preparing for future Moon and Mars missions.

💡 Build & Code Hints

Area	Hint
Drive Base	Use a sturdy wheel base that can travel straight and align easily.
Activation Arm	A lightweight beam or fork that can push just enough—not too much—to trigger the activation mechanism.
Sensors	Use Ultrasonic to detect when you’re close to the button; use Color Sensor or distance tracking to keep your path straight.
Programming	Use loops for straight motion, conditional waits to stop at precise points, and fine motor power settings for controlled pushes.

📐 Step-by-Step Measurements & Angle Calculation

Step 1: Measure distance from base to satellite button in your setup (e.g. 40 cm).

Step 2: Calculate turning angles if you need to approach the button from the side:

If the approach path veers, use geometry/pacing to compute heading angles.

Step 3: Sample Code

Encourage students to fill in their exact measurements and calculated angles.

📺 Final Video Solution

Once students have built and programmed their rovers, they can watch the final completed mission. The video demonstrates a working solution—from navigation to block alignment to satellite activation and return to base.

“Mission Walkthrough” — Compare your approach with our at-home version

✅ Evaluation & Reflection

Self-Assessment:

Did your robot trigger the satellite reliably?
Was your code precise and consistent?
Did you work collaboratively and solve issues creatively?

Badge Levels:

Bronze: Activation attempt but fails
Silver: Satellite deploys but unstable
Gold: Satellite upright and stable
Platinum: Adds extra features beyond requirements

🧰 Lesson Resources

Printable measurement & pseudocode worksheet
Extension ideas: vary button placement, sensor combos, timing constraints

🌻 Flower Robot Challenge: Seek the Sun!

🚀 Your Challenge:

Can you build a LEGO robot that acts like a real flower?
Your robot should spin slowly to look for light, then stop when it finds the sun (or anything yellow)!

🌱 What Do Real Flowers Do?

Have you ever noticed how sunflowers turn to face the sun? That’s not just for fun—it’s a real plant behavior called phototropism.

🌞 Phototropism means:

Plants grow or move in response to light.

🌻 Sunflowers face east in the morning and follow the sun during the day.
🌿 The top of the plant grows faster on the shady side, which makes it bend toward light.
💡 Plants need light to make food through a process called photosynthesis.

💬 Fun Fact:

Some flowers stop turning once they’re grown, but younger ones still move every day!

🔧 Robot Build Instructions

You’ll build a flower that:

Spins using a motor
Looks like a flower using bricks and petals
Stops when the color sensor sees yellow or a bright light

🛠️ Step 1: Build the Spinning Base

Build a sturdy base and mount a motor horizontally so it can spin a platform.
Make sure the whole thing doesn’t tip over when spinning!

We used the Twirling Teacups lesson as an introduction to a spinning base.

🪴 Step 2: Make the Stem

Use LEGO beams to make a vertical stem that connects your flower head to the spinning platform.

🌸 Step 3: Create the Flower

Your color sensor becomes the center of the flower.
Decorate it with bright petals—but make sure it can still “see” colors in front of it!

💻 Coding the Robot

Use this basic idea for your code:

forever:
   Spin slowly
   If color sensor sees yellow or a bright light:
       Stop spinning

📹 Watch the example video for how this works:
Watch on YouTube

💡 Tip: You can use "wait until color sensor sees yellow" in your program, or detect brightness using the reflected light sensor mode.

🧪 Test Your Robot

Try these tests:

Shine a flashlight near the sensor. Does it stop?
Place a yellow object in front of it. Does it freeze?
Does it keep spinning if there’s no light or yellow?
Can you make it spin again after it stops?

🎨 Bonus Challenges

Decorate your flower with more petals, leaves, or a bug friend!
Make it change colors using lights when it stops.
Build a garden of robots and see how they all behave together!

📓 Record Your Learning

Use these questions in your science notebook:

Question	Your Answer
What is phototropism?
How does your robot behave like a real flower?
What does the sensor do in your robot?
What did you change during testing?
What would you do differently next time?

🌼 Share Your Build!

Take a photo or video of your robot in action and share it with your class or post with permission!

Mars Mission : Ice Collection Challenge

Mission Brief

You're an astronaut-robotics engineer stationed on Mars Base 7. A massive dust storm has just passed, revealing delicate ice crystals on the red surface. These crystals may hold the key to:

Evidence of past or present life
Essential water resources for future habitats
Fuel production and oxygen for return missions

But there's a problem: the crystals are too fragile to be picked up by normal grabbers. Your mission is to design a rover with a One‑Way Curtain to collect them safely and bring them home.

🎥 Watch the Mission Video

Check out the full mission walkthrough:
https://youtu.be/20_-gqwPFDc

Step 1: Build the One‑Way Curtain

Create a mechanism that lets ice shards pass into the collection basket—but won’t let them fall out.

Use LEGO beams or Axel elements as flaps
They should hang from a Pivot Point
Attach a STOP bar to prevent the flaps from opening the wrong way.
Mount it at the front of your rover
Test: make sure objects slide in—but not back out

Step 2: Build Your Rover

Start with a simple SPIKE Prime drive base:

2-motor driving chassis (wheels or treads)
One‑Way Curtain in front
Collection area big enough for multiple shards

Add sensors, color tiles, or bumpers if you like!

Step 3: Program the Mission

Using SPIKE Prime’s coding interface:

Drive forward to sweep crystals
Turn and repeat to cover the area
Return to the Home Base when done

Tip: Use loop blocks, timers, or sensor-based navigation to make it reliable.

Step 4: Create Ice Shards

Make your own LEGO “ice crystals”:

Translucent 1×1 round tiles or slopes
Light-blue or clear studs
Vary shapes and sizes for more fun

Your Challenge

Build, attach, code, and collect:

MISSION GOALS

Design a rover with a One‑Way Curtain
Collect at least 5 ice shards
Return to Home Base

Document your mission: take photos or videos!

🗣️ Share & Compete

Once your mission is complete, do this:

Comment below the video with your rover’s design and strategy
Like the video if you enjoyed the challenge
Subscribe for more robotics missions
Tag us on social media with your rover—your build might be featured!

VENT Bot Maze Mission

A LEGO Spike Prime Challenge to Save the Mars Base

🚀 Your Mission

The Mars base has lost power. The lights are out. Systems are offline. The only way to reach the life support core is through a maze of narrow vents.
Your job is to build and program a LEGO Spike Prime robot — codenamed VENT Bot — to navigate the maze and save the crew.

Download your printable mission materials:
👉 VENT Bot Mission Tracks Printables (PDF)

💡 Pseudocode Mission Log (PDF)

🧱 What to Build

Begin by laying out a maze with items from home, class, or the printable maze tiles.

Your robot must be compact and precise. Use your LEGO Spike Prime kit to build a robot that can:

Fit in a narrow maze
Drive forward in straight lines
Turn accurately using the internal gyro sensor
(Optional) Use color or distance sensors to detect obstacles

Required components:

2 drive motors (left + right)
Spike hub (with built-in gyro)
Small chassis build with wheels
Wires routed neatly so they don’t get caught in the maze

HINT!

We used the Driving Base 1 building instructions from Competition Ready.

💻 What to Code

You’ll need to:

Measure the length of each maze segment (in centimeters)
Record the angle of each turn using the robot’s yaw angle sensor
Plan your program with pseudocode
Write your code in the Spike app using movement and turn blocks

Example pseudocode:

Move forward 40 cm  
Turn right 90°  
Move forward 20 cm  
Turn left 45°

Use the printable Maze Mapping Log to record each step!

HINT!

Watch this video about using the Gyro Sensor to make precise turns.

📏 Step-by-Step Instructions

Set up your maze using tape, tiles, or printed paths.
Test your robot: Can it move straight and turn consistently?
Use a ruler or tape measure to record distances between turns.
Use the gyro sensor to test turn angles (e.g., 90°, 45°).
Record your pseudocode for the entire maze path.
Translate your plan into a working program in the Spike app.
Test and revise — update your code until the robot can complete the maze!

🎯 Success Criteria

Robot completes the maze without hitting walls
Distances and turns are accurate
Code is organized and based on measured data
You used your pseudocode as a planning tool

🎥 Watch the Full Mission Video

See how the mission begins, how the robot is built and programmed, and how VENT Bot saves the Mars base! Leave us a comment on YouTube if you completed the mission!

How to Improve Robot Turns with LEGO Spike Prime – Using Yaw and the Scientific Method

Want to make your LEGO Spike Prime robot turn perfectly every time? Whether you're preparing for FIRST LEGO League or just want to build better bots, this step-by-step guide will help you fine-tune your robot’s turning using real data and the built-in Yaw sensor.

🔍 What You’ll Learn

What a Yaw sensor is and how it works
How to apply the Scientific Method to robot programming
Why robots overshoot turn angles at higher power levels
How to calculate and apply a correction offset
How to build smarter, more reliable turning code using My Blocks

🎥 Watch the Full Tutorial

🧭 What Is Yaw and Why Does It Matter?

Yaw measures your robot's rotation around the vertical axis—basically, how much it's turned left or right. The LEGO Spike Prime Hub tracks yaw from -180° to 179°, making it perfect for turn-based navigation.

But there's a catch: as motor power increases, so does inertia—which means your robot often overshoots the desired angle.

🔬 The Scientific Method for Better Turns

Here’s how we used the Scientific Method:

Ask a Question: Why does our robot overshoot 90° turns at higher power?
Form a Hypothesis: Higher power = more overshoot.
Conduct an Experiment:
- Turn to 90° using different power levels (20%, 30%, 40%, 50%)
- Run 5+ trials at each level
- Record the actual stopping angle
Analyze Results:
- Calculate average overshoot
- Determine offset needed for accuracy
Apply & Test:
- Modify your code to stop before the target angle
- Improve My Block logic to factor in speed-based offset

📊 Example Data Table

Power %	Target Angle	Actual Avg. Angle	Offset Required
20%	90°	92°	-2°
40%	90°	97°	-7°
50%	90°	100°	-10°

Use this data to adjust your wait-until yaw angle block by subtracting the correct offset.

This is the code we will be modifying for the experiment.

🧱 Build a Smarter My Block

Create a custom My Block called YawTurn. It should:

Take input: angle,
Reset yaw
Estimate the offset based on power
Subtract offset from target angle
Wait until yaw = corrected angle

This makes your robot modular, reusable, and competition-ready.

✅ Why This Works for FLL and Classroom Robots

By controlling your turns with this method:

You’ll score higher in the Robot Game
Your robot will navigate missions with confidence
You’ll teach students real scientific inquiry through robotics

📥 Get the Lesson PDF + Sample Code

Download:

[✅ PDF Lesson Plan for Educators ]
[🔗 Spike Prime Leson on MyBlocks]

🔑 Learning Targets

How to improve LEGO Spike Prime robot turns
LEGO Spike Prime turn accuracy
Use yaw sensor LEGO robot
FLL robot turn programming
Yaw offset LEGO robotics

💬 Leave a Comment or Question

Have questions about your robot's turns? Drop them in the YouTube comments or email us directly!

About Preston Spratt your Robotics Instructor

Preston Spratt started Sprattronics to provide children with incredible learning opportunities. As a school principal, he has specialized in bringing project-based learning into schools. Sprattronics is a place for children to learn about the things that interest them and solve problems that excite them.

Parents should have a choice of what their children are learning, and that it can happen in a safe and welcoming environment. At Sprattronics, Greenville, South Carolina, we focus on children making discoveries and encourage them to explore the things that interest them.

Mastering Precise Turns with LEGO Spike Prime and the Yaw Sensor

Objective:
Equip students with the knowledge and skills to utilize the Spike Prime Hub's Yaw sensor for accurate robot turns, leading to improved navigation and higher scores in competitions.

This lesson is available in a video format on YouTube.

Lesson Overview

Understanding the Yaw Sensor
Displaying Yaw Values on the Hub
Programming Precise In-Place Turns
Creating Reusable 'My Blocks' for Turns
Applying Skills in FLL Challenges

1. Understanding the Yaw Sensor

What is Yaw?
Yaw refers to the robot’s rotation around the vertical axis—essentially, its ability to turn left or right in place.

Yaw Angle Range:
The Spike Prime Hub measures yaw angles from -180° to 179°.

Positive values = Clockwise turn
Negative values = Counterclockwise turn

2. Displaying Yaw Values on the Hub

Goal:
Use a variable to monitor the yaw angle in real time.

Steps:

Create a variable called Yaw.
Use a loop to continually update this variable.
Display the yaw value on the Hub.

Sample Pseudocode for Word Blocks:

When program starts
Set Yaw to 0
Forever
    Set Yaw to motion sensor yaw angle
    Display Yaw on Hub

3. Programming Precise In-Place Turns

Goal:
Use Yaw data to turn exactly a desired number of degrees.

Steps:

Reset yaw angle to 0.
Start motors to rotate the robot.
Use wait until to stop when the desired yaw angle is reached.

Sample Code (Pseudocode for Word Blocks):

When program starts
Reset yaw angle to 0
Start motors: Left forward, Right backward
Wait until yaw angle is greater than 90
Stop motors

4. Creating Reusable 'My Blocks' for Turns

Goal:
Make your code cleaner and more powerful with a custom block.

Steps:

Create a My Block called Turn Degrees with one input: angle.
Inside the block:
- Reset the yaw angle.
- Decide motor direction based on angle.
- Rotate the robot.
- Stop once yaw equals the input angle.

Sample Code (Pseudocode for Word Blocks):

Define 'Turn Degrees' with input 'angle'
Reset yaw angle to 0

If angle > 0
    Start motors: Left forward, Right backward
Else
    Start motors: Left backward, Right forward

Wait until  value of yaw =  value of 'angle'
Stop motors

5. Applying Skills in FLL Challenges

Benefits of Precise Turns:

✅ Better field alignment
✅ More reliable missions
✅ Easier to debug and reuse code

Practice Activity:
Have students code the robot to drive in a square using four 90° turns, returning to the starting point.

📥 Resources

🎥 Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/R8QeJR4lHhY
📘 Driving Base Instructions: LEGO Education – Driving Base 1
📚 Additional Lessons:
- Driving Straight, the Basics
- Introduction to Turning with Two Motors

The Quick Guide to Building a Home Education That Rivals Government Schools

(No Cost, No Stress, Just Results!)

🚀 Why Home Education?

The U.S. education system is falling behind. Test scores are dropping, teachers are leaving, and bureaucracy is winning over students. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait for the system to fix itself.

With the right tools, you can build a home education that’s more effective, engaging, and personalized—without spending a dime. This guide walks you through five essential (and free!) resources used by top-performing students worldwide.

✅ No research required – Just plug and play.
✅ No expensive curriculum – These tools are free!
✅ No complicated setup – Get started today.

📌 Step 1: The Five Essential Free Tools

(These resources cover core subjects and go beyond what most schools offer!)

1️⃣ NewsELA – Learn Through Real-World News

🔹 Best for: Reading comprehension, critical thinking
🔹 How it works: NewsELA adapts real-world news articles to different reading levels, making it easy for kids to learn about current events, history, and science.
🔹 Why it’s powerful: Unlike textbooks, which are outdated before they even hit the shelves, NewsELA keeps learning relevant.

👉 Get started: www.newsela.com

2️⃣ Khan Academy – The Ultimate Free Tutor

🔹 Best for: Math, science, history, test prep
🔹 How it works: Students learn through expert-taught video lessons and practice problems that adjust to their skill level.
🔹 Why it’s powerful: It’s like having a private tutor—for free!

👉 Get started: www.khanacademy.org

3️⃣ Modern States – Earn Free College Credit

🔹 Best for: High schoolers & advanced learners
🔹 How it works: Provides full, free courses to prepare students for CLEP exams, which many colleges accept for credit.
🔹 Why it’s powerful: Your child could start earning college credits today—at no cost.

👉 Get started: www.modernstates.org

4️⃣ Your Local Library – The Secret of Self-Taught Geniuses

🔹 Best for: Self-directed learning, reading, research
🔹 How it works: Libraries provide thousands of free books, audiobooks, and online courses.
🔹 Why it’s powerful: Some of history’s greatest minds—Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, and Elon Musk—were self-taught using books.

👉 Action Step: Visit your local library or check their digital resources!

5️⃣ Prodigy – A Math Game Kids Actually Want to Play

🔹 Best for: Math fluency, problem-solving
🔹 How it works: Prodigy turns math into a fun, role-playing game, where kids solve problems to level up.
🔹 Why it’s powerful: Kids love it, and it secretly makes them better at math.

👉 Get started: www.prodigygame.com

📌 Step 2: Creating Your Home Education Plan

Now that you have the tools, here’s how to structure a powerful home education program.

📅 Daily Schedule (Flexible & Effective!)

Using these resources, you can accomplish as much as a full day's worth of government school learning in just two hours. Build the day that works for you!

✅ Key Tip: Follow your child’s interests! The more engaged they are, the more they’ll learn.

📌 Step 3: Socialization & Enrichment

One of the biggest misconceptions about home education is that kids will be isolated. Here’s how to ensure they stay socially and academically engaged:

🔹 Join Homeschool Groups: Many local and online groups offer meetups, field trips, and co-ops.
🔹 Extracurricular Activities: Sports, music lessons, coding clubs, and art classes keep kids connected.
🔹 Community Engagement: Volunteering, internships, and apprenticeships provide real-world experience.

📌 Step 4: How to Track Progress Without the Bureaucracy

Traditional schools rely on standardized tests. But at home, you can use better methods to measure real learning.

✅ Portfolio: Keep samples of writing, projects, and creative work.
✅ Progress Logs: Track subjects studied, skills mastered, and milestones achieved.
✅ Real-World Application: If your child can teach it, they truly understand it!

💡 Remember: Learning isn’t about memorizing facts for a test—it’s about mastering skills for life.

🎯 Final Thoughts: You Have Everything You Need!

By using these five free tools and structuring a flexible, engaging learning experience, you can build an education at home that rivals (or even surpasses) government schools.

📌 Which resource are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments below!

👉 Want more step-by-step guidance? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more homeschool strategies and free education tools!

🚀 The future of education is in your hands. Let’s make it better!

Geo-Fencing Removed: Fly Anywhere and Five Great Ways to Get in Trouble

This blog post is available in video format on YouTube.

Introduction

If you’re a DJI drone operator, you may have noticed a major change recently. Just days after we released a video on how to geo-unlock your DJI drone, DJI announced that they’ve lifted geofencing restrictions across the United States. This is a significant shift aimed at aligning their systems more closely with FAA guidelines and ensuring that responsibility for compliance falls squarely on the pilot.

So, what does this mean for drone enthusiasts? Essentially, DJI drones now allow you to take off and fly almost anywhere, within technical limitations. However, this newfound freedom doesn’t absolve you of responsibility—you’ll still face the consequences if you break FAA regulations.

In this post, we’ll cover:

What the change to DJI’s maps looks like.
How to ensure you’re still flying legally and responsibly.
Real-world examples of what happens when drone pilots push the boundaries and get into trouble with the FAA.

Let’s dive in.

How the Maps Have Changed

Until January 13, 2025, DJI’s maps were layered with multiple types of flight restrictions. For example, a single location—like your local park—might fall into multiple restricted zones, including:

Authorization Zones: These appeared in blue and required pilots to unlock them using a verified DJI account.
Altitude Zones: Gray areas on the map where flight height was limited, such as near airports.
Warning Zones: These zones triggered warnings in the DJI app but didn’t necessarily prevent flights.
Enhanced Warning Zones: These zones required users to unlock them in-app but didn’t need a verified account or internet connection.
Restricted Zones: These red zones completely prohibited flight unless special permission was granted by DJI through an online unlocking request.

For instance, at my local park, I used to deal with an authorization zone, a 196-ft altitude limit zone, an enhanced warning zone, and a general warning zone. We had to get LAANC approval to fly and submit a DJO Geo Unlock request just take off in an area where the FAA says we can fly up to 400 feet.

Now, with geofencing removed, DJI no longer enforces these zones, meaning your drone will no longer prevent you from taking off or flying through these areas. Instead, it’s now entirely your responsibility to comply with FAA airspace rules.

How to Load the New Maps on DJI Fly

Update the DJI FlySafe Database

Make sure your drone and app are running the latest firmware and database updates. This will ensure the map reflects the new geofencing changes.

You can do this by clicking PROFILE --> Settings --> Check for FlySafe Database Updates

Use FAA Approved Apps

We love AutoPylot. It is B4UFly approved, has up-to-date FAA maps and restrictions, and allows for instant LAANC approvals.

Five Ways to Get in Trouble with the FAA

While the removal of DJI’s geofencing simplifies flying, it’s crucial to stay within FAA regulations. Here are five ways to land yourself in hot water:

1. Flying in Restricted Airspace

Just because DJI won’t stop you doesn’t mean you can ignore airspace restrictions. Flying near airports, military bases, or in prohibited zones without prior FAA authorization can result in hefty fines.

2. Flying Without the Correct Certification

If you’re flying recreationally, you need to pass the TRUST test (The Recreational UAS Safety Test). For commercial use, you must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operating without the appropriate credentials can lead to penalties.

3. Flying Over People

FAA rules prohibit flying drones directly over people unless specific waivers or safety conditions are met. This is especially critical in populated areas or events.

4. Not Yielding to Manned Aircraft

Drones must always give way to manned aircraft. Failing to yield to planes, helicopters, or emergency response aircraft could result in severe penalties and risks to safety.

5. Flying Above 400 Feet

The FAA’s maximum altitude for drones is 400 feet above ground level (AGL) in most areas. Exceeding this limit can interfere with manned aviation and result in fines or other legal action.

Final Thoughts

The removal of DJI’s geofencing system represents a shift in responsibility from the drone manufacturer to the pilot. While this change offers greater freedom, it also means that you must be diligent about understanding and following FAA regulations.

Before taking off, make sure you:

Use apps like AutoPylot to check for airspace restrictions.
Stay under 400 feet.
Avoid flying over people or in restricted areas.
Keep your certifications up to date.

Flying a drone can be an incredible hobby or a valuable tool for commercial work—but with great power comes great responsibility. By following the rules and respecting airspace, you can ensure your flights are safe, legal, and trouble-free.

Take Off Legally Anywhere - Preparing your DJI Drone for Flight in the USA

Take Off Legally Anywhere: Preparing Your DJI Drone for Flight in the USA

DJI drones dominate the skies, making up 80% of the drone market in the USA. With their price dropping every year and the quality continuously improving, it’s no surprise that DJI drones are a favorite among students, photographers, hobbyists, and outdoor enthusiasts. But before you take to the skies, you need to ensure your flight is legal. This guide will walk you through the steps to fly your drone legally as a recreational pilot in the USA.

Step 1: Pass the TRUST Certification

To legally fly a drone recreationally in the USA, you must pass the FAA’s TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test). Introduced in June 2021, this certification ensures you understand the rules, safety considerations, and best practices for flying drones.

How to Take the TRUST Test:

Visit the FAA’s list of approved providers to choose a testing platform.
The test is free, takes about 30 minutes, and can be completed on a mobile device.
We recommend the Boy Scouts of America’s course: Take the TRUST Test.

What to Do After Passing:

Save a digital copy of your certificate and print a physical copy.
Always carry your certificate when flying your drone, as law enforcement may ask to see it.

Pro Tip: Even an 11-year-old can pass this test on the go. Encourage young drone enthusiasts to learn and certify too!

Step 2: Download the Two Essential Apps

You’ll need two apps to ensure your flights are safe and within legal boundaries:

AutoPylot: This app helps you understand flight zones, altitude limits, and real-time flight conditions.
DJI Fly: The official DJI app allows you to unlock restricted zones, manage flight permissions, and control your drone settings.

Download both apps to your smartphone and familiarize yourself with their interfaces before heading out to fly.

Step 3: Research Before You Go

Flying in a new location? Do some research to avoid disappointment or legal trouble. Check if others have flown there and what types of zones apply:

Altitude Zones: Areas where altitude restrictions are in place.
Authorization Zones: Areas where permission is required to fly.
No Fly Zones: Areas where flying is strictly prohibited.

Use resources like the DJI FlySafe map to identify potential restrictions and plan accordingly.

Step 4: Request a GeoUnlock

If your planned flight area is restricted, you may need to unlock it using DJI’s FlySafe platform:

Visit the DJI FlySafe website.
Add your drone’s details and upload your TRUST certificate.
Request a custom unlocking for your desired flight area.
If your request is denied, don’t give up—try again or adjust your flight plan.

Step 5: Load Your License into Your Drone

Once you’ve obtained the necessary permissions, load them into your DJI drone:

Open the DJI Fly app.
Go to your profile and access the Unlock License section.
Load your license to the connected controller and aircraft.
Double-check that your drone recognizes the permissions before takeoff.

Ready for Takeoff!

By following these steps, you can ensure your DJI drone flights are safe, legal, and stress-free. Whether you're capturing stunning photos or simply enjoying the thrill of flying, preparation is key. With your TRUST certification, essential apps, and proper permissions in hand, you're ready to explore the skies confidently.

Happy flying, and remember: don’t get grounded—stay informed and stay legal!