Nancy Schunke—a chemistry and engineering teacher and robotics mentor at Frenship High School—is spreading her love of Star Wars in a unique way.

Schunke is the co-creator and program director of the Droidbuilders STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Academy. The academy’s first appearance was at the 2019 Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, where Schunke and other educators helped children learn coding and electronics through Star Wars-related activities.

“Seeing Star Wars on the big screen when I was 7 years old inspired me to love science and engineering, which led to the amazing career I have been blessed to have,” Schunke said in a Frenship ISD article. “I wouldn’t be a science teacher if it wasn’t for Star Wars.”

The academy was invited to the 2023 Star Wars Celebration in London from April 7–10. With support from the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation—which helped fund the academy’s trip to the celebration—the academy’s classes will now include building lightsabers, programming mini droids, and more games, according to Frenship ISD.

"The Droidbuilders are so excited to partner with the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation to bring innovative and educational outreach programming to Star Wars Celebration Europe," Schunke said. "We are looking forward to inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem solvers."

Schunke hopes to share the activities and lessons with educators in Frenship ISD and the surrounding areas from elementary to high school.

“What I love about this program is what we’re able to build in this community. We are empowering teachers to find ways to have fun and teach our students to love science, technology, engineering, art, and math,” Schunke said. “It’s all about the kids. It’s about doing something that will help them grow, love Star Wars, and explore STEAM.”