About PCS Edventures:

What is PCS Edventures?

PCS Edventures is a leading provider of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) curriculum and resources for educators in classrooms and out-of-school learning environments. We offer turn-key curriculum kits and provide scalable solutions for education programs that give students the resources they need to succeed in STEAM fields.

PCS Edventures develops hands-on programs that empower both educators and students to explore new subjects and career paths. Our products are perfect for:

  • In-school programs: We supply schools with engaging and challenging STEAM experiences that fulfill educational standards. Each PCS program is scaffolded to meet the needs of all learners.
  • Out-of-school programs: Learning doesn’t stop at the final bell. That’s why PCS programs are designed to keep students excited about STEAM outside of the classroom.
  • Summer camps: PCS Enrichment Programs are designed with the fun, relaxed environment of summer camps in mind! Help prevent the summer slide with hands-on activities in life science, engineering, social studies, physics, robotics and so much more!
  • CTE courses: From drones to podcasting, our programs explore real-world STEAM careers. Our educational drone programs provide a path for students to get started in the rapidly-growing UAV industry right out of high school.

History of PCS Edventures:

Over 30 years ago, school teacher Patrick McShane noticed a disconnect in his classroom. His students were eager to learn, engage with new technologies and prepare for the future, but their time in the classroom was leaving them unfulfilled. So, Pat decided to bring his students what they wanted.

Out of his garage, Pat created an education center where K-12 learners could engage with science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) subjects. In 1988, Pat’s Computer School (PCS) provided students of all ages with hands-on projects to fuel a passion for learning and a lifelong love of STEAM.

Pat’s Computer School expanded as it gained momentum in the community. The program was rebranded as “PCS Edventures” and opened five LABs – experiential learning centers in Idaho, Washington and California.

PCS Edventures blazed the trail for afterschool programs by challenging students to use critical thinking skills as they explored life science, robotics, engineering, music, history and more.

Using this experience, PCS Edventures began packaging its one-of-a-kind products for distribution and offering easy-to-implement, hands-on educational kits. As the popularity of these turn-key kits increased, the PCS Edventures LABs closed in 2016 so the company could focus all-in on providing educators with all of the resources needed to integrate STEAM into their programs.

As technology and industries evolved, so did PCS Edventures. In 2016, the company acquired Thrust-UAV, renowned developers of lightweight, almost-ready-to-fly FPV racing drones.

With PCS’s experience in writing accessible curriculum and Thrust-UAV’s expertise in drone design, the team developed Discover Drones – a complete curriculum package including the modular educational drone, RubiQ.

This advanced aerial robotics program prepares middle and high school students for emerging careers as they build a drone from scratch, explore the physics of flight, understand drone safety and hone their piloting skills! In 2022, the United States Air Force JROTC selected Discover Drones to power their UAV programs.

What is Thrust-UAV?

Thrust-UAV began in 2012 as developers of high-quality, lightweight racing drones. Their first-person-view (FPV) drone, the Riot 250R Pro, gained popularity among drone racers and hobbyists for its ease of operation and race-day-ready performance right out of the box. Over the years, they partnered with companies like Microsoft, Kodak, Bell Flight and Rio Tinto to develop specialized drone solutions.

In 2014, PCS Edventures partnered with Thrust-UAV to create an advanced robotics program for a science center project. Why choose drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as the subject for this STEM program?

Drones provide an infinite source of real-world STEM enrichment. From building the drone to taking flight, students gain knowledge that can immediately be applied after high school, especially if paired with a Part 107 commercial drone license.

This fusion of STEM education and FPV drones resulted in Discover Drones – a complete curriculum package including the modular educational drone, RubiQ.

This program prepares middle and high school students for emerging careers as they build a drone from scratch, explore the physics of flight, understand drone safety and hone their piloting skills!

PCS Edventures acquired Thrust-UAV in 2016 to further both companies’ goals to educate future drone pilots. In 2022, the United States Air Force JROTC selected Discover Drones to power their UAV programs.

In 2019, Thrust-UAV started on a project with a local law enforcement agency to engineer, test and revise a custom drone solution.

The resulting Lambda Blueshift 900X improved the agency’s surveillance abilities, rapid response time, entry team logistics & safety, reconnaissance abilities and so much more. This drone fleet is used to save lives and protect law enforcement officers.

Today, Thrust-UAV continues to lend their 10+ years of drone experience toward innovating upon educational drone solutions like Discover Drones.

Need help with your Thrust-UAV products?

While Thrust-UAV has pivoted its focus toward educational drones, we still offer support for our past customers. Please contact us if you have questions, and include in your message that you’re a Thrust-UAV customer.

Resources:

Are you ready to start a STEAMventure? Check out the STEMpower blog for inspiration, learn all about drones in education with our EDU Drones 101 collection, or explore free STEAM lesson plans for all grade levels.