It’s commonplace to see drones flying over sporting events, parades and even for recreational use, but the ideas presented at the 2^ndAnnual Drone Institute were far from ordinary. Salem University’s Department of Information Technology and Computer Sciences partnered with Harrison County Schools to offer an unforgettable experience to freshmen from across the county on October 5-6.

 

Bridgeport High School’s representatives at the event included Reese Allen, Olivia Noonan, Sarah Rajjoub, Omar Sabbagh, and Grace Tyce.  The group joined others from around Harrison County schools to learn about the role of drones in business and industry.  Each student built their own drone and had the opportunity to fly more complex drones and interact with professionals who use them on a daily basis.

 

Thrasher Engineering is one of the largest drone technology users in West Virginia and they demonstrated how the drones are used for everything from surveillance to oil and gas exploration and more.  The importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education was stressed and students learned about the inner workings of the drones, including software, communications and controlling them with GPS.

 

After attending workshops on drone flying, drone math, and drone physics, the students better understood how they are used in forestry, mapping, remote sensing, virtual reality, engineering, agriculture, construction, and crime investigations. Students also learned about the drone rules and regulations regarding the Federal Aviation Administration. The collaboration among the public schools, higher education and businesses inspired innovative thinking that ultimately led to the student pitches for how drones may be used in the future.

 

Students returned to the campus of Salem University on October 20 and presented their unique drone applications to a panel of three judges.  Each student demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of the drone project and explained how drones could be applied in everything from monitoring traffic patterns in emergencies to helping explore caves and reduce harm in hostage situations.

 

Bridgeport High School freshman Reese Allen won the competition with his elaborate “Drone Away from Home.”  His idea paired the drone with virtual reality goggles that used a code to connect with the drone in order to view real estate across the world.  As the VR goggles rotate, the drone’s view is seen in real time, allowing a whole new business application for drone technology.

 

As a winner, Allen received $250 and a $5000 scholarship to Salem University. BHS’s Olivia Noonan placed second and won $150 in cash for her proposal.  Parents who observed the competition noted the value of the creativity the challenge incited and the importance of opportunities for practical applications of STEM.