Principal Doug Wetherholt recognized students’ growing interest in drones and decided to launch a drone technology class, aiming to equip students with essential skills in aerodynamics, programming and robotics.
“Lakeside High School is the only school district in the county that offers an opportunity for students to learn more about the drone industry within the daily curriculum and gain valuable experience to one day acquire a career in this field,” he said. “Creating learning opportunities for our students in trade-related fields is important. These courses help students connect to their education.”
A grant from the Robert S. Morrison Foundation made the drone class possible, Wetherholt said.
LHS teacher Jostalyn Krider spent many hours preparing to obtain the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Small UAS Certification and the TRUST certification, an online test developed by the FAA to ensure that recreational drone flyers understand safety and regulatory information.
All of the students within the drone technology class passed their TRUST test and earned their certificates.
Lakeside High School also introduced to students the Part 107 Small UAS Certification — the FAA’s certification for commercial drone pilots. With Part 107, students can legally fly drones for business purposes, such as aerial photography, surveying or inspections.
“The drone industry is growing at a rate of approximately 20 percent each year and is estimated to reach a market size of approximately $55 billion dollars by the year 2030,” Krider said. “We wanted to start this course to give students another opportunity for success after graduation.”
Krider went on to say students could potentially work for the FAA, commercial or corporate airlines or even for an established company that uses unmanned aerial vehicles.
“The doors that the drone technology course has opened are incredible,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing what our students can accomplish once they take flight.”
Student Ziyah Jackson said, “I used to have a drone and so this is a good opportunity to learn new experiences and get some training.”
Jackson is looking into drone technology college scholarships, as well.
©2024 the Star Beacon (Ashtabula, Ohio). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
