MIX Unmanned Aerial Systems Prototyping
The MIX Unmanned Aerial Systems Prototyping (Drone) Short Course is a 10-week hands-on short course where students learn UAV fundamentals and advanced manufacturing through drone prototyping. The series returns for Spring 2026, building on five successful cycles. Sponsored by KEEN, the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network, organized by the MIX, and taught by GMU Robotics PhD Candidate Aniket Anand Datar, advised by Professor Xuesu Xiao.
Working in teams of three, students will assemble a baseline drone and complete their first test flight by Session 3, then extend their drones (Sessions 4–6), complete mini-challenges (Sessions 7–9), and present their work at a final poster session and flight demo on April 23rd (Session 9 on Week 10). Students implement 3D printing, Laser Cutting, and other fabrication processes to customize their drone airframes.
The workshop runs weekly from 4:30–6:30PM for 10 weeks, and is open to students from all majors—previously, 24 students from many different majors participated. Successful completion earns a GMU digital micro-credential. Applications for Fall 2026 will be available mid-August.
Questions? Contact mkazemza@gmu.edu or adatar@gmu.edu, or visit the MIX in Horizon Hall 1408.,
SAMPLE 10 WEEK COURSE OUTLINE:
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Day of Week TBD)
Week 1: Kickoff, intro Drone technology and history, Lab: Intro to Arduino, PWM with a servo, Ultrasonic distance measurement
Week 2: NO MEETING THIS WEEK -due to Fuse Opening in Arlington campus
Week 3: Intro to proportional–integral–derivative controllers (PIDs), Intro to IMU sensors, Lab: Build a balance beam to demonstrate PID’s, Arduinos/ Servos
Week 4: Power system of a drone, Lab: Soldering, begin drone assembly
Week 5: Flight controllers and how it integrates, Lab: Assemble drone frame, Integrate ESC’s to controller
Week 6: Radio & flight controller programming, Lab: Radio Pairing with drone, Load software on the flight controller, test
Week 7: Safety briefing, Lab: Final drone preparations and test flights
Week 8: Testing and flight training *potential to be Outdoors
Week 9: Testing and flight training; Practice demonstrations, pitch presentations to fellow teams
Week 10: Final Technical Presentations and flight demo to judging panel