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Technology is continuously evolving, paving the way for countless opportunities for children as they prepare for adulthood. One of the fastest-growing technology sectors is the drone industry, which is expected to create an estimated 100,000 new jobs in the United States over the next decade. To ensure children have access to these opportunities, it is important to introduce them to technologies like drones at a young age. This is exactly what John Henry aimed to do when he launched the Xtreme5 Teen Tech Summit in 2022.

John Henry founded Grace3 Technologies around 2018. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Grace3 is a nationally certified Minority Business Enterprise that specializes in mission-critical communication solutions. With additional operations in Philadelphia, the company provides high-bandwidth mobile and fixed connectivity tools such as custom data networks, routers, modems, and antenna systems for law enforcement, emergency services, hospitals, utilities, and transportation sectors.

Grace3’s broader mission extends beyond technology, with a strong focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. Through initiatives like the annual Xtreme5 Teen Tech Summit, the company works to expose Black, Hispanic/Latinx youth and girls to careers in technology, aiming to close opportunity gaps and inspire the next generation of innovators.

Most recently, Grace3 hosted the fifth annual Xtreme5 Teen Tech Summit at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field. Partnering with Skydio and the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), this year’s summit focused on the integration of drone technology in emergency services. Skydio has partnered with Grace3 since the summit’s inception to put drone technology directly into the hands of future operators. The PPD, which launched its drone program in 2018, began incorporating Skydio drones into its operations in 2024.

Nearly 250 students, ages 4 to 18, participated in the program, exploring aerial and ground drones, AI systems, and other police gear such as Axon body cameras. Also present to support the event were State Representative Jordan A. Harris, chair of the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee, and Philadelphia’s Chief Education Officer, Dr. Debora Carrera. Dr. Carrera demonstrated how the drones work for a group of students.

She was tasked with remotely operating a drone located across the country inside a warehouse in San Francisco, California. As the students watched in awe, she asked how many of them would like to one day work in the drone industry. “The Philadelphia Police Department has been using this technology to help our city become safer,” she said, connecting the demonstration to real-world applications. “The kids that are here are kids who look like me, who represent me, who I’m pretty sure we came from similar backgrounds, and at such an early age, they’re being exposed to not only the drone technology, but to a career,” Dr. Carrera added. “And whenever kids are curious, we should get excited as adults.”

Watching demonstrations wasn’t the only activity on the agenda. Students were encouraged to get hands-on experience with the equipment in ways that many children from underserved communities rarely have access to. One highlight was a drone soccer station, a sport that has gained popularity among educational teams around the world. Students had the opportunity to fly small drones inside cage-like enclosures, attempting to score points while blocking their opponents.

Another interactive exhibit featured a Skydio robotic dog, similar to models some police departments are beginning to deploy. Perhaps one of the most exciting stations was the display of high-performance drones led by Skydio Program Manager Joe Warwick, who oversees the rollout of the company’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs. Students tested both manual and computer-assisted flight systems under the supervision of trained officers, using the same drone models currently in use by the PPD. Warwick explained that the department deploys these drones daily for large events, situational awareness, and missing persons cases.

As technology continues to transform the world, programs like the Xtreme5 Teen Tech Summit are helping ensure that future innovators are not left behind. By introducing students to drones and other advanced tools early on, Grace3 Technologies, Skydio, and the Philadelphia Police Department are giving young people the chance to see themselves in tomorrow’s workforce. For many of the children who attended, the summit was more than a fun day of exploration, it was a glimpse into a future they now know is within reach.

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