Organization : Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)

Platform : Canvas

Start date : May 18, 2020

End date : May 31, 2020

Commitment : 2 – 4 hrs/week

Requirement : none

Course-type : self-paced

Language : English

Costs : free, offered by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

Credential : Certificate (free)

Description

This two-week, self-paced, MOOC covers key concepts related to small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) as applied to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math specifically for the 8-12th Grade Teacher, school systems (administrators and staff), STEM professionals and mentors. The curriculum is intended to introduce educator professionals to small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or Drones. Educators wanting to integrate Drones into classrooms will learn about regulatory requirements and educational use considerations, systems designs and functions, characteristics, applications, and current and future uses.

Content

• Legal and regulatory aspects of Drone use and responsible practices as described in the Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 107, and other developments from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
• Significant attention to safety of flight within the National Airspace System (NAS), including where to fly and where to develop and utilize operational documents, and flight planning tools.
• Introduce applicable Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math learning activities and considerations for Educators.
• Focus attention to how drones work so that educators are capable of identifying STEM opportunities and can adequately plan their activities.
• The knowledge and resources to pursue further training, should attendees wish to become rated sUAS pilots.
• The importance of flight standardization and operations considerations, as well as how to address challenges such as cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection.

Review:

A very useful approach for teachers and researchers, helping engage students across a range of topics, while learning about a technology that will drive the economy long into the future.

STEM is an interdisciplinary concept, combining scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical approaches.

Module 1 contains an overview and a reminder of the principal rules and regulations concerning drones. A MCQ quiz (10 questions) concludes this first part. Personal score was 100% in one single attempt and a time of 7 minutes.

Module 2 offers a large overview of the different fields and activities which can be covered by drone activities:

• Science: biological, physical, social and formal science (for instance: Using a drone to collect water samples at different locations in a lake or other body of water – Determining the energy and work required to lift a payload to an altitude and return to the launch point then measure the battery level(s) to determine the efficiency of the operation – programming a drone or programming an autonomous flight on software).
• Technology: Imaging systems, payload & camera, tech tools, safety systems (for instance: What is the field of view in horizontal and vertical directions – What kind of payloads can you attach to the drone? – different emergency scenarios where dangerous conditions prevent reaching someone in an emergency – How do pilots or a drone avoid obstacles and people?).
• Engineering: design, airframe and system configuration, noise (for instance: capacity and discharge rate of the battery, the motor ratings, the efficiency of the propeller, and the capability of the electronic speed controller – What are considerations (power available, wind, distance, stability, modifiability of airframe) for planning and how do these affect capability? – What makes a drone less noisy?).
• Math: sensor coverage, speed, endurance (for instance: horizontal ground coverage at different altitudes and camera angles – calculate propeller tip velocities – rate of charge and discharge).

In the concluding discussion (badge activity), you’re asked to create a bullet list of one of your strengths and how you would integrate this into a STEM related topic. You’re also invited to comment the contributions of some other participants.

The course is very well structured and contains a list of optional resources, 2 live webinars, and expert discussions.

Reinhard Finke