North West Central School students learn drone technology

By Ian MacKay

PLENTY —About 75 students at North West Central School recently completed a drone education program covering agricultural applications, flight skills and career awareness.

About 25 students in grades nine and 10 took the more intensive stream, learning to identify crop diseases using drones, basic flight and safety, and applications across multiple careers. They were expected to finish by writing the basic RPAS (remotely piloted aircraft systems) exam, according to teacher Stephen Slattery.

The remaining 50 students, in grades five to eight, built drones, learned three-dimensional mapping, participated in racing and covered basic use, safety and career applications.

Classes ran from May 28 to June 4. Instructors came from Volatus Aerospace, a Canadian-controlled company headquartered in Vaughan, Ont. The team included vice-president and education director Matthew Johnson, from the Winnipeg area, along with Arif Kassum and Tanner Grywinski.

Slattery said all students came away more familiar with drones and their possible uses. The program incorporated team-based activities focused on problem-solving and communication skills.