The Buffalo Public Schools Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) proudly participated in the 2026 UB Drone STEM Competition in partnership with the University at Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. This year, nine STLP teams competed across two exciting days of competition, with high school teams participating on May 20 and elementary teams competing on May 21.
Participating elementary schools included Buffalo Elementary School of Technology #6, Lovejoy Discovery #43, Houghton Academy #69, Southside Elementary #93, and Harvey Austin #97. High school participants included Schools Olmsted #156, Math Science Technology Preparatory School #197, Lafayette International #207 Lafayette, Leonardo daVinci #212, and The Buffalo School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management #355.
Throughout the program, students traveled to UB’s Jacobs School of Medicine for four hands-on practice sessions, during which they developed drone navigation, problem-solving, teamwork, and STEM-related skills. The culminating competition challenged students in a series of engaging stations, including drone simulation, pea drop, peg pass, monkey ball, and suturing.
Elementary Team Competition Results:
1st Place – School 97
2nd Place – School 93
3rd Place – School 69
Best T-Shirt – School 69
Elementary Individual Competition Results:
1st Place – Lucia (School 43)
2nd Place – Ke’Ari (School 97)
3rd Place – Evan (School 6)
High School Team Competition Results:
1st Place – School 207
2nd Place – School 197
3rd Place – School 156
Best T-Shirt – School 212
High School Individual Competition Results:
1st Place – Azul (School 355)
2nd Place – Kory (School 197)
3rd Place – Alejandro (School 207)
The competition showcased students’ innovation, collaboration, and perseverance while providing meaningful exposure to STEM pathways and real-world applications of technology and medicine.
