Danny Hernandez

Title
Drone Performance Team Coordinator
Email
hernandez_daniel@svvsd.org
Department
Aeronautics
Bio

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 am dedicated to teaching students how to utilize drones for employment, providing them with practical skills in drone operations, and an introduction to aeronautics. My efforts include 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.

Additionally, I am spearheading the creation of a Drone Performance Team, which will be responsible for orchestrating elaborate nighttime drone shows using up to 300 drones. In partnership with industry professionals from Firefly Drone Systems, we are providing an unparalleled opportunity for students across our entire district to learn how to design and execute these shows. This collaboration not only enhances the technological skills of our students but also opens pathways to future careers in drone technology and aeronautics, equipping them to meet the challenges of tomorrow head-on.

Recent News

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May 11, 2026

Student’s “Drones for Dreams” Inspires $25,000 OtterCares Grant for Innovation Center’s New Philanthropy Initiative

On Thursday, May 7, the Innovation Center received a $25,000 grant from the OtterCares Foundation to help expand opportunities for students to apply their professional skills in support of nonprofit organizations across the region. The grant was inspired by Silver Creek High School junior Braeden Macchia’s work through “Drones for Dreams,” a student-led initiative that...<br><a title="Student’s “Drones for Dreams” Inspires $25,000 OtterCares Grant for Innovation Center’s New Philanthropy Initiative" href="https://www.svvsd.org/2026/05/11/students-drones-for-dreams-inspires-25000-ottercares-grant-for-innovation-centers-new-philanthropy-initiative/" class="button read-more-link"><span class="sr-only">Student’s “Drones for Dreams” Inspires $25,000 OtterCares Grant for Innovation Center’s New Philanthropy Initiative </span>Read More</a>

May 6, 2026

Innovation Center Welcomes Astronaut, Sparks Student Inspiration

Duane “Digger” Carey, a former NASA astronaut, visited the Innovation Center on May 5 for “An Audience with an Astronaut,” hosted in partnership with the Space Foundation. During his presentation, Carey reflected on his path to serving as the pilot of Space Shuttle Columbia on the STS-109 mission in 2002, a critical servicing mission for...<br><a title="Innovation Center Welcomes Astronaut, Sparks Student Inspiration" href="https://www.svvsd.org/2026/05/06/innovation-center-welcomes-astronaut-sparks-student-inspiration/" class="button read-more-link"><span class="sr-only">Innovation Center Welcomes Astronaut, Sparks Student Inspiration </span>Read More</a>

Apr 30, 2026

Niwot High School Student Builds a Future with Salesforce

When Isaac Wicks, a junior at Niwot High School, began his freshman year, he was interested in a variety of pathways. Just three short years later, he has earned three Salesforce certifications and completed a real-world internship where he applied the skills he gained through those programs. What first piqued Isaac’s interest in Salesforce was...<br><a title="Niwot High School Student Builds a Future with Salesforce" href="https://www.svvsd.org/2026/04/30/niwot-high-school-student-builds-a-future-with-salesforce/" class="button read-more-link"><span class="sr-only">Niwot High School Student Builds a Future with Salesforce </span>Read More</a>

Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools