Danny Hernandez

With 22 years of experience in education, I have devoted much of my career to mentoring young minds in mathematics and in the dynamic field of robotics. As a former member of the Saint Vrain Valley School District Robotics Leadership Team for 7 years, I successfully guided over 100 competitive robotics teams, consistently achieving top placements at State and global competitions like the VEX Robotics World Championships. My 10 year tenure as a robotics educator at Westview Middle School in Longmont, Colorado, allowed me to teach and develop programs in VEX Robotics, Python programming, and technology exploration, setting a strong foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of technology and engineering. In the fall of 2023, I embarked on a new journey as a UAS Drone Instructor at the Innovation Center, focusing exclusively on high school students. In this role, I taught students how to utilize drones for employment, providing them with practical skills in drone operations, and an introduction to aeronautics. My efforts included the innovative use of camera, thermal, and LIDAR drone systems where the students apply real world skills on actual job sites for companies in Longmont. In the spring of 2024, I spearheaded the creation of the Drone Performance Team, the first drone show team to be completely run by High School students. In partnership with industry professionals from Firefly Drone Systems and Brightflight Drone Shows, we are providing an unparalleled opportunity for students across our entire district to learn how to design and execute drone shows. This collaboration not only enhances the technological skills of our students but also opens pathways to future careers in drone technology, aeronautics, design animation, and media as we are equipping them to meet the challenges of tomorrow head-on.