What Was Going on in the Steele Elementary Parking Lot?
Flashing lights and four Ingham County emergency vehicles in the Steele Elementary parking lot on a Thursday morning makes you wonder, “What’s going on?”
As I parked my car in a nearby spot, I quickly realized the officers were preparing for a demonstration of the county’s drones for the kindergarten through fourth graders attending Mason’s summer Level UP! program. What an opportunity for our students!
Soon the eager and excited learners appeared from the building, huddled for a quick introduction and quickly found their assigned centers. Students learned about the different drones, what they do, how officers use them and how they work. Students were spellbound as they observed the drones in action. They were mighty excited and somewhat awestruck when they were able to read the clock on the Mason Courthouse more than a mile and a half away.
Our students got the inside scoop from the drone pilot officer about the rules for operating them. For example, they learned you cannot fly drones above large crowds of people and that the drone operator must be able to see the drone at all times. Students learned how drones are used to rescue people, help in dangerous situations and assist firefighters by using thermo-imaging to see through smoke and determine where to apply water.
Students heard how they might use drones in future careers including aerial photography, videography, agricultural monitoring, delivery services and search and rescue situations provided a glimpse into the potential drones possess.
Given that current educational literature is making noise about the need to add a career component to what’s taught in elementary classrooms, students in Level UP! also have a ‘leg up.’ I guarantee they had conversations with their families and friends about drones. I’ll even wager some talked to their parents into making a purchase, especially since they learned you don’t need a drone pilot license if you are using it exclusively for personal use. All one needs to do is register it with the Federal Aviation Administration.
I encourage you to check out the skies in the upcoming months. Don’t be surprised if you see some wiry-like birds buzzing around, all because of that motivating lesson in the Steele parking lot!
