Unmanned Aerial Vehicle The latest drone news
Prosser, Wash. — This week here in the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas marks the second annual STEM Career Academy, where students meet experts in different trades around the area. On Tuesday, June 25th, Action News caught up with a group at WSU’s Prosser campus, where today they are learning about agriculture.
Leaders of the Tri-Cities STEM Career Academy say this week students will be learning from many different fields and industries.
Jodi Henderson, Manager of Government and Community Relations for Benton PUD, tells us. “We’re talking about careers in STEM that are local. Today, we’ve been talking about science and technology. How do we use that to solve problems. How do we use that to solve problems for farmers and others in the agricultural industry.”
Michael Evans, with Altitude Agri Services in Richland, tells us drone technology can be used for a wide variety of purposes in the agriculture industry.
“Drones have really improved over the last few years. With multi-spectral cameras, the ability to do precision spraying with chemicals, we’re able to produce very high quality maps which farmers can use as an additional tool to help aid with their goals of reducing chemical, and increasing yield.” Evans, explains. “It’s incredible how much drones can be used with agriculture.”
At the WSU Prosser campus on Tuesday, around 20 students had the opportunity to get hands on with the technology. Conner Goodsel, a Sophomore who’s in the Tri-Cities STEM and Career Academy, says. “We got to make a drone today while we were learning about them. So we learned how drones will able to be used in farming.”
The students also had the opportunity to test out their drones on an obstacle course. “They are very engaged, very interested, and it’s exciting to see the next generation ask questions of those who are in the industry today.” Jodi Henderson, says.
Leaders say the easiest way to get a career in the field is through practice. Michael Evans, says. “Stick time is the most important thing for becoming a pilot. Then a little bit of studying for the FAA Part 107 exam. Just start small, get comfortable with drones, get comfortable with a controller in your hands, seeing one in the air. Just figure out how it flies, how you can maneuver it better each time.”
Students we talk to encourage their peers to get involved with STEM at their schools, or with the Tri-Cities STEM Career Academy. Conner Goodsel, tells us. “You should definitely do it, it’s a lot of fun, you get to learn so much stuff, and you may even learn some new things.”
