At every competition, there’s always that one team – the team that commands attention the moment they walk in.
At Detroit’s inaugural Drone Basketball tournament, that team was Cornerstone’s Jefferson-Douglass Academy.
With a perfect season record and a championship victory, our students combined passion, teamwork, and STEM innovation to make history in this exciting new sport that blends technology and competition.
What Is Drone Basketball?
Drone basketball is a new and fast-growing sport where teams of three pilot drones to score points against opposing teams. Players take on offensive and defensive roles, guiding their drones through high-tech hoops in timed matches. The concept blends competition with real-world science, introducing students to aerospace, engineering, and technology concepts through active play.
Jefferson-Douglass Academy (JDA) was selected as one of just six Detroit schools to participate in the pilot year of this innovative program. JDA Dean Marcus Berry, who was the team advisor, recalled his initial reaction: “At first, I didn’t even know what drone basketball was. But once I saw how serious the students were, practicing almost every day and learning the science behind it, I knew we were part of something special.”
How JDA Students Dominated the Season
The JDA team, made up of two eighth graders, one seventh grader, and one sixth grader, remained undefeated all season. They didn’t just win matches – they didn’t lose a single round. Their season culminated in a championship victory.
Team member Britan Hardrick, an eighth grader and aspiring aerospace engineer, said, “I like flying things. I’ve always wanted to learn more about aviation, and this gave me a chance to do that – and to compete.” Britan is also a participant in the Civil Air Patrol, where he studies aviation and aerospace outside of school.
Success didn’t come easy; students dedicated themselves to rigorous practice sessions multiple times per week, especially leading up to the playoffs. As Britan explained, “Before every match, we would talk about our game plan – who would defend, who would score. It was all about communication and teamwork.”
The Power of STEM Education Through Code 313
The incredible opportunity for JDA students to participate in drone basketball was made possible by Code 313, a Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable access to STEM education for students aged 7–17. Code 313 offers hands-on programs in coding, robotics, drone operation, and more, helping to bridge the digital divide and prepare students for future careers in technology.
Through programs like drone basketball, Code 313 exposes students not only to STEM concepts but also to broader applications of drone technology in industries like agriculture, construction, public safety, and environmental monitoring.
Dean Berry emphasized the impact: “This was more than playing. They asked questions, learned how drones work, and how things like aerodynamics and force of wind come into play to execute and succeed.”
The Power of STEM Education Through Code 313
The incredible opportunity for JDA students to participate in drone basketball was made possible by Code 313, a Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable access to STEM education for students aged 7–17. Code 313 offers hands-on programs in coding, robotics, drone operation, and more, helping to bridge the digital divide and prepare students for future careers in technology.
Through programs like drone basketball, Code 313 exposes students not only to STEM concepts but also to broader applications of drone technology in industries like agriculture, construction, public safety, and environmental monitoring.
Dean Berry emphasized the impact: “This was more than playing. They asked questions, learned how drones work, and how things like aerodynamics and force of wind come into play to execute and succeed.”
What’s Next for JDA Drone Basketball?
Next year, the Drone Basketball League is expected to expand to 20 schools across Detroit, and Jefferson-Douglass Academy is already at the top of the invite list for the next season. Although JDA’s eighth graders will soon move on to high school, they leave a proud legacy – and have built relationships through Code 313 that will keep them connected to STEM opportunities in the future.
Eighth grader Mason Mattison, summed it up best: “This experience was fire! I’d never done something like that before. It was intense to go up against different teams who had different skills, but that made it fun.”