In Forest, Virginia, an hour from the nearest interstate, opportunity is taking flight inside Forest Middle School. At the center of it all is Cindy Watson, a dedicated educator and coach who is redefining what STEM education can look like through the Aerial Drone Competition.

Certified in middle and high school math, science, and technology education, Cindy teaches far beyond the textbook. Her classes range from robotics design and a mock medical school elective to a reimagined study skills course turned mini-STEM lab. Her goal is simple: help every student find a place to belong and a skill to be proud of.

When Personal Curiosity Meets Professional Purpose

Cindy’s journey into robotics began unexpectedly years ago, when she walked into a robotics competition thinking it would be a fun family activity. That moment sparked a lifelong passion. She went on to coach teams to compete at world championships and later became a master teacher with the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, spending summers working with students at NASA Langley Research Center NASA Wallops Flight Facility.

A chance conversation at NASA led to drone-team sponsorship, and everything changed. Now in her third year coaching with the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), Cindy leads an extraordinary 13 Aerial Drone Competition teams across middle and high school, while also mentoring elementary programs.

A Program Where Every Student Belongs

What sets the Aerial Drone Competition apart, Cindy says, is its inclusivity. “There’s a role for everyone.” Students with learning differences work alongside advanced math students. Some students code, and others focus on strategy or documentation. One student even serves as the team photographer.

That inclusive environment produces remarkable results. Last year, eighth-grader Bennett Litchfield earned the top skills piloting score in the nation, outscoring every middle and high school competitor. For Cindy, his success reflects what happens when students are trusted and challenged.

Connecting Drones to the Real World and Beyond

Cindy intentionally connects drone skills to real careers. Guest speakers include law enforcement officers, real estate drone pilots, wildlife specialists, and aviation professionals. Students learn that drone careers don’t require a single path, from certifications and associate degrees to bachelor’s programs like those offered nearby at Liberty University.

She also emphasizes service and leadership. Her teams host drone demos, support deployed service members, write thank-you notes to sponsors, and plan outreach to assisted living communities, as she believes in learning that technology and empathy go hand in hand.

Whether it’s daily practices, community scrimmages, or her summer robotics and drone academy, where every student goes home with a drone, Cindy is doing more than teaching STEM. She’s opening doors, building confidence, and showing students in rural Virginia that their futures can soar.