Wright Brothers Institute

WBI-Sinclair STEM Camp Gives Students Hands-on UAS Experience

07.09.22 07:10 PM By Jennie Hempstead

High school students from Carroll High School take part in a UAS-themed STEM camp at WBI's 444 E. Second Street facility
Written by: Laura Dempsey
 
Wright Brothers Institute cares not just about the Air Force of today: part of WBI’s focus is preparing for the Air Force of tomorrow.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) activities are an integral part of identifying and energizing student interest in areas of great importance to the Air Force Research Laboratory. 

A 2018 White House report, “Charting a Course for Success,” revealed the gap between the United States and other countries in STEM education. It found that just 20 percent of high school graduates were prepared for college-level STEM courses. The study also brought to light the fact that from 2003 to 2018, the United States produced just 10 percent of the world’s science and engineering graduates.

Since the founding of the Nation, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been a source of inspirational discoveries and transformative technological advances, helping the United States develop the world's most competitive economy and preserving peace through strength. The pace of innovation is accelerating globally, and with it the competition for scientific and technical talent. Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States—and its prosperity and security —depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem. (SOURCE: https://www.utep.edu/extendeduniversity/utepconnect/blog/december-2021/what-is-stem-education-and-why-is-it-important.html)

Answering the call for more STEM education, WBI has partnered with a variety of educational institutions and interested parties to develop, manage, publicize and inspire STEM activities. The summer of 2022 saw WBI partnering with Sinclair Community College’s Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Training and Certification Center for a three-day camp at WBI’s 444 E. 2nd Street facility in downtown Dayton.

As part of this inaugural event, WBI recruited high-school seniors from Carroll Catholic High School, eight of whom enrolled and attended the camp. The curriculum was led by Sinclair Community College, and gave the students a chance to work with new UAS-related technology in an immersive and hands-on environment.  The camp provided the students with a variety of opportunities to learn about computer-aided design (CAD) and automating control of machines tools, 3-D printing etc.  The curriculum provided students a first-hand opportunity for each student to design specific drone parts using CAD software, machine those parts using 3D printing and finally assemble a flyable drone. 

They were then able to practice flying a variety of drones on flight simulators before flying actual drones in both outdoor and indoor competitive environments against their fellow campers. 


Jennie Hempstead

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