South River students learn to design, fly drones
Something is in the air at South River High School.
Students are piloting toy drones outside the school through hula hoops and other obstacles to hone their flying skills.
“It beats being in study hall,” said senior Trevor Miller, an aspiring aeronautical engineer. “I get to fly helicopters.”
He and other students are taking a course on unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as drones.
South River technology education teacher Rob Tompkins — along with Rolf Stefani, senior director of ARINC Inc.’s technology innovation center — are teaching 12 juniors and seniors how to design, program and fly the vehicles.
“We’re focusing on civilian use of UAVs,” Stefani said. “Everyone knows about military and government use and, to be honest, that scares a lot of people.”
Military drones are used to strike targets without placing soldiers in harm’s way. Industry experts predict drones will also be used commercially. On “60 Minutes” Sunday, Amazon.com unveiled the concept of a self-guided drone that theoretically could deliver merchandise within a half-hour.
The South River students are focused on the computer science, physics and ethics behind the technology. Students will each create their own business plan centered around drones, which are the future of commerce, Stefani said.
In Japan, farmers use drones to fertilize their crops, Stefani said. It makes much more economic sense for a farmer to deploy a small drone rather than pay workers to do the same thing.
“Agriculture is going to be huge,” he said.
Drones could be used to inspect the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, saving time and money, Stefani said.
The class sprung from a visit last year from Stefani and two other ARINC employees. They spent a day touring the school, which has a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math magnet program. ARINC offered to create a new course for advanced technology students.
The Annapolis-based company pitched in about $3,000 for course supplies. The model drones the students are working with now were purchased from a Taiwan-based website for $65 each, Stefani said.
“I thought it would be a good idea to get hands-on experience,” said senior Ross Klimoski.
Tompkins, who taught technology education at Old Mill Middle School North, learned about the class in his interview at South River.
“I went from a professional to a little kid, I was so excited,” Tompkins said.
Tompkins wants students to think about how drones could be used in innovative ways.
“Why not use them for search and rescue?” he said. “This is just the beginning.”
