Grant helps students soar to victory
When Dallas ISD team members contribute to the annual Employee Giving Campaign, they help students soar and reach their potential. That was the case for students in Yun Liu’s drone program at Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School.
Thanks to a Heart of Teaching grant from the Dallas Education Foundation, Trinidad Garza Drone Team students recently got to compete against 17 teams from across North Texas. They returned home with two championship awards, including a prestigious Communication Mission Award, recognizing excellence in teamwork, strategy, and execution.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the grant, which provided drones, equipment, and team uniforms, setting the students up for a successful season. Liu, who enthusiastically guides students through testing drones, refining strategies, and preparing for competition was ecstatic.
“We are so grateful,” Liu said. “These resources made a real difference. The impact on STEM education at our school has been incredible.”
“The Heart of Teaching Grant allowed us to purchase additional drones so more students can participate in our drone program,” he said. “Students are learning coding, teamwork, and problem-solving while competing in the Aerial Drone Competition. It has opened the door for many of them to explore careers in aviation and engineering.”
Sophomore and drone pilot Bryan T. is one of those students who has been developing a variety of useful skills thanks to the program.
“Dr. Liu is amazing. He tries to help every single one of us with what we need. He knows our strengths and weaknesses and tries to work with us on every single thing,” he said.
The Drone Team challenges students to develop skills across multiple disciplines, including coding, engineering, and aviation. Beyond technical skills, students learn how to collaborate and problem-solve under pressure, abilities that will serve them beyond the classroom.
The success of Trinidad Garza’s Drone Team proves that when student talent, dedicated teachers, and community investment come together across Dallas ISD, the sky’s the limit. That is why Liu is supporting the employee giving campaign personally.
“I’ve seen firsthand how much these grants can impact students,” he said. “The support helped bring new STEM opportunities to my classroom, so I’m happy to give back and help other teachers create meaningful experiences for their students.”
If you want to support programs like Liu’s, donate to the Employee Giving Campaign by clicking here.
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