Drones and Robotics competitions are more than just a free day from school for students at Mescalero Apache Schools and it’s more than simply playing video games.
To the group of 12 students, it means learning accountability, responsibility and getting out of their comfort zone. For their two coaches, Myra Mendez and Nate Raynor, it’s about creating new opportunities and building an Indigenous robotics and drones’ community.
“I feel our students need to be exposed to the outside world other than our reservation and the stem field is a big field,” Mendez said, adding she wants her students to see all their options.
Mendez, an elementary teacher, said it takes dedication to get students to perform at their best. She spends most weekends away from her family at competitions with her students and in between teaching and coaching, she’s also working on her master’s degree.
“To see them grasp the concept of winning or presenting elsewhere, that makes my heart happy,” she said.
Mendez coaches alongside high school teacher Nate Raynor. Raynor is a staple in the drones and robotics program across New Mexico. Not only did he get the program started at Mescalero Apache Schools, but he and Mendez have helped numerous Indigenous schools across the country grow their programs.
“Robotics and drone programs are very important for students, especially Indigenous students to get them a heads-up on what a stem career field looks like,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for them to learn how not only build but code and fly drones.”
As a sophomore, Audriana Reynolds said she’s never participated in a STEM program and she’s learned a lot this year from her teammates, coaches and students from other schools.
“I think it’s really introduced me to engineering and building things and really problem solving and trial and error,” she said.
For Cory Rice Jr., the program has provided him the opportunity to travel to Canada and across the U.S. to participate in competitions and numerous AISES conferences. Rice, has been participating in drones and robotics since fifth grade, and as a high school junior, he enjoys building his skills every year.
“I think coming from an indigenous perspective, it’s good to have that diversity out there…because most schools don’t even see indigenous teams doing robotics or STEM and that’s kind of what the big thing is for me, is being out there and presenting ourselves as Mescalero Apache people in STEM,” Rice said.