By
Kendall S. Cable
Freelance
Writer
Lincoln
County, OR… At
first listen it would appear bees were swarming Lincoln City’s Kirtsis skate
park last Monday. Low frequency buzzes bounced off the heights and depths of
the lunar-like cement structures. The sounds’ source, however, was not of the
insect variety, but rather mechanical as seven students from Lincoln City
Career Technical High School (Career Tech) guided their drones through the
damp, coastal air.
As
part of a pilot program, students enrolled in Career Tech’s Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses were presented the
opportunity to learn about and earn licenses for flying drones. Divided into
100 and 200 level courses, students are introduced to such concepts as: knots,
cloud clearance, visibility, drone repair, and mapping. Inside a brick and
mortar classroom only, such subjects may glaze over an eye or two. With the
addition of hands-on repairs and flying, student learning becomes interactive.
“Whatever
we do here is fun,” said Teacher Chuck Getter. A pilot and PhD marine science
researcher, Getter will use drones to teach Career Tech students ecology while
working for the City of Lincoln City to map invasive species and monitor
coastal erosion on beaches. “I am really trying to introduce high paying jobs
in technology and science,” Getter explained. “There is nothing wrong with
trade jobs that take as much training as this.”
By
the end of a year, students may sit for the Federal Aviation Administration
Part 107 Drone License Test funded by the school, Getter shared. Said licensure
would open job opportunities in areas such as mapping, videography, and study
and monitoring of invasive species. As incentive to complete the program,
students are awarded the drones on which they trained during several runs
throughout the school year.
“It
is cool,” Junior Jacob Helton remarked. “It is not something everyone gets to
do normally. It makes it more interesting and makes me want to learn it.” Jacob
served as the group’s mechanic (one of eight jobs available) during last
Monday’s drone flight and repaired propellers, and switched out engines and
batteries. He said he is interested in pursuing a job as a mechanic in the
future.
Jacob’s
brother, Tyler, concurred. “It makes it more fun,” he said. “Especially since I
get to fly drones.” Tyler, a freshman, explained their cousin uses a drone to
help film the television show “Gold Rush.”
To
help keep the program growing Career Tech staff are applying for Measure 98
funding, which is geared at improving high school graduation rates. To learn
more about Career Tech and/or the drone program, call (541) 351-8551 and/or
visit the website at www.careertech.us.
Community Services Consortium (CSC) is the parent organization of Career Tech,
which is part of CSC’s Workforce and Education Department.
*******
Photo
1:
Photo by Kendall S. Cable: Lincoln City Career Technical High School Student
Seth Martin inspects his drone after a few flights while at Kirtsis skate
park. Note: (Student with blue hair)
Photo
2: Photo
by Kendall S. Cable: Trainer drones are used for students to learn how to
maneuver and maintain. Teacher Chuck Getter said more expensive drones, such as
the Phantom used for class, are easier to fly after learning on the drone
pictured.
Photo 3: Photo by Kendall S. Cable: Lincoln
City Career Technical High School Junior Jacob Helton serves as the drone class
mechanic. Helton repairs propellers, engines, exchanges batteries and performs
other duties to make sure drones are in working order.
