Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:One of ourtarget audiences comprises of both youth and adultswith an interest in the utilization of drones within the agricultural sector. This group formed the AgriSTEM advisory group, and includesyoung individuals affiliated with the STEM board, former participants of related camps, ands adults from diverse professional backgrounds. These adults represented various sectors such as extension services, engineering organizations, educational institutions, and state and federal agencies. To reach this audience, we collaborated with regional coordinators across five distinct regions in Louisiana. These coordinators helped identify potential members who might be interested in joining the advisory group. Upon obtaining these contacts, we initiated outreach through email, to which the identified individuals responded affirmatively, expressing their interest in our initiative. Agriculture science teachers were another target audience during this reporting period. Extension agents, word-of-mouth through the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), and press releases resulted in robust interest in the program. The PI held discussions and exchanged email support with two Career and Technical Education (CTE) coordinators, eight classroom educators, and two principals during the reporting period primarily from the central and southeast portions of the state. It is expected that the program will support eight teachers at six sites the next program year, reaching approximatley 120 youth. Changes/Problems:The largest problem thus far has been acquisition of the consumer-level drone. It was believed at the time of writing the grant proposal that the EXO minis were made in U.S.A., as they were advertised. Further investigation revealed that EXO was an American subsidiary of a People's Republic of China company, Husban. This has placed the drones out of compliance with NDAA Section 848, which LSU AgCenter uses for guidance in drone acquisition approvals. Unfortunately, there is no consumer-level drone available that isNDAA Section 848 compliant at this time. Since NDAA only applies to the Department of Defense and there are no alternative drones available, it is possible that LSU AgCenter will allow a special approval for this case. In the case that an approval is not allowed, the project will not be able to distribute an outdoor-capable drone to each of our school sites and regions. The lowest cost NDAA compliant drone is approximately $5,000 - a significant departure from the expected ~$900 per unit cost of the consumer-grade drone. We will select a commercial-grade drone to purchase that will then be rotated on a "check-out" system. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided one training to extension agents and regional coordinators during the reporting period. The training included an overview of the project, timeline, materials, outputs, expected commitments from agents, and future trainings to attend. A total of 82 agents and regional coordinators attended the trainings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Work during the next reporting period will be centered on continuing progress on our course and camp goals, while preparing to begin larger outreach events at AgMagic sites and supporting youth in FAA Part 107 and commercial drone proficiency acheivements. The project team will continue to work with LDOE and the AgriSTEM Advisory Group to enhance the high-school course, and we will hold our first teacher workshop in June. The Project specialist will work with each site to collect and evaluate acheivement and attitude results from each site as well. We will also hold our first ACED Camp trainings in the summer and early fall during the next reporting period. We anticipate all five regions to also host a camp during this time. We will also be distributing support funds to youth to take their Part 107 examinations, and recruiting these youth to participate in the field experience portion of the project. The field experience will also be developed and finalized during the next reporting period.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Agricultural Career Exploration with Drones (ACED) seeks to improve youth knowledge, skills, and motivations to participate in agriculture using drones and other precision-agriculture tools. The use of drones in agriculture has demonstrated positive benefits but costs, perceived privacy and safety concerns, and lack of training opportunities have been barriers to youth learning and adopting this technology (and others) as they consider agricultural careers. ACED is able to target high school-aged youth through a new high school course, field experience program, and youth volunteering opportunities, middle school-aged youth through its ACED camps, and "K-grey" members through public outreach events. During this reporting period, the AgriSTEM advisory group was identified and recruited. The first meeting of this group was also held. fifteen advisors attended the meeting. The meeting was positive, with participants actively engaged and providing assistance to the project team. The new AgriSTEM course was also created during this period. The curriculum writer worked with the PI and Project Specialist to create the year-long high school level course, which includes instructional units preparing youth to obtain their FAA Part 107 certificate, as well as nine units that introduce youth to the use of drones and other technologies in modern agriculture. The PI has worked with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) to secure a course code and has also secured the course as a pilot in LDOE's STEM Pathways. LDOE is also utilizing the ACED Teams site to review the curriculum and its materials to provide feedback to the project. This partnership has exceeded expectations. One Industry Based Credential (IBC) that recognizes the FAA Part 107 certification has been secured for the course, while another for unmanned aerial systems in agriculture is under review from the project team. The curriculum for the ACED regional and statewide camps were also completed during this time through efforts of the PI and Co-PIs. The project team will hold trainings to conduct these camps over the summer and early fall so that agents can conduct the camps regionally during the next project year. The camp curriculum includes lessons and activities on drone safety, ethics, laws and regulations, taking the TRUST exam, agricultural career exploration, and manual and autonomous drone challenges. The PI has held meetings with AgCenter communications to begin making materials, including banners and videos for AgMagic events. Events are expected to begin next program year. The PI has discussed the 4-H University contest with agents, and they are aware of the contest requirements. The contest is not expected to begin until the third project year. The PI is currently working with eight school sites that wish to participate in the program. This has exceeded expectations from what was proposed in the grant application. The project team is working with each school site to ensure faculty is trained and prepared for the upcoming school year, and have scheduled a week-long teacher workshop to be held in the summer. The project team has worked to secure the materials necessary for youth to demonstrate proficiency with drones. These materials include the drones themselves, peripherals, and software. Additional accomplishments include the hiring of the Project Specialist, who has been instrumental in recruiting and facilitating the AgriSTEM advisory board.
Publications
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