Instructor Jay Knight is showing students how to build and program the drones as part of an expanded training program to inspire Native American youths to consider high-tech careers.<\/p>\n
It is the first of many technology classes, workshops and internships funded by a $2.5 million SEEDS grant awarded to the tribe from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeaching them how these things work gives them an appreciation and respect for engineering, and hopefully sparks an interest,\u201d Knight said.<\/p>\n
The workshop was put on by the Powerhouse Science Center based in Durango.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hands-on, ambush learning,\u201d said Powerhouse scientist Sarah Margoles. \u201cThey\u2019re learning about flight, circuitry, soldering, and computer programing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of the applications for drones are aerial photography, land surveying, product delivery and even search-and-rescue missions, said Knight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids really like it and are really paying attention,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m impressed they came to a class during spring break!\u201d<\/p>\n
Learning about drones was a first for the students, ranging in age from 10 to 17.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s challenging but fun, you have to be patient to understand how all these wires, motors, and batteries work together,\u201d said Maddie Begay, of Towaoc.<\/p>\n
High school student Ondalan Wells appreciates learning about the meticulous and complex nature of the drones\u2019 internal workings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is really interesting. I\u2019d like to go into the mechanical engineering field and plan to work on satellites,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sarah Begay, college transition coordinator for the Learning Center, says part of the plan is to place students in internships within different tribal science and engineering departments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re fostering an interest, then we get them into workplace skills and computer classes to try and transition them into good paying careers,\u201d Begay said.<\/p>\n
For more information, call (970) 564-5471.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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