Dr. John McGee, Geospatial Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech is offering several Mapping with Drones workshops in the near future. The 3-day workshop will prepare participants with the knowledge necessary to take the FAA Remote Knowledge Aircraft Test (aka Part 107). Participants will also be provided with instruction on best flight operational strategies, safety, management, and flight operations. You will receive a thorough overview of flight planning, flight operations, and an introduction to image processing using imagery collected by a drone (using affordable and easy to use software). This workshop is a great place to start for individuals who are considering using drones to support business applications, or managers who want to make solid decisions regarding drone data collection moving forward. Workshop options include: • Workshop #1: November 1, 3, & 4, 2022 • Workshop #2: December 13-15, 2022 • Workshop #3: January 3-5, 2023 More information about the workshop and online registrations is available from: https://virginiaview.cnre.vt.edu/workshops-events/ ...

Six community college students and three community college faculty recently completed an intensive internship program conducting UAS research and flight testing. Led by VSGC and funded by the NSF, the GeoTEd-UAS Internship program was in partnership with Virginia Tech's site in the Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), a multi-university NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center. In addition to tuition support for two classes, preparation for the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, travel funding, and operating supplies, students and faculty earned stipends for completing the internship. VSGC and GeoTEd-UAS team members served as project leaders and subject-matter experts....

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is excited to announce the fourth edition of our “Next Steps in STEM” video series. The series highlights participants of VSGC programs who have taken their next steps in #STEM. They are the next generation of the STEM workforce and Virginia’s best and brightest. This week we are highlighting Pete Berquist, a UMS professor at Thomas Nelson Community College. Berquist is a GeoTEd-UAS participant and recipient, who now has a passion for preparing the next generation of students for their next step in STEM. #NASASpaceGrant #NASA #UAS #NextGenerationOfExplorers #StudentSuccessStories #Drones #Aeronautics #VCCS [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0Rf6bPyz0&list=PLKrkeCUPIKhv109oPwq7GCK8ahGnkh51O&index=4&t=1s[/embed] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

Summer Drone Internships For Virginia Community College Students! Tuition scholarships for two unmanned systems courses!   Interested in a career in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones? A 4-week paid summer internship program is offered by the GeoTEd-UAS project in partnership with the Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) at Virginia Tech. Application deadline is November 12!   Selected community college students will participate in applied research experiences working with small UAS (sUAS) and performing tasks in support of research and flight testing conducted at the C-UAS. Interns will work side-by-side with Virginia Tech students, researchers, and GeoTEd-UAS community college faculty.   Students earn a $4,000 stipend for successful completion of the full internship. Students must have their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) prior to Internship and complete an online UMS course with three Saturday onsite training sessions during the Spring semester of 2022 to prepare for the internship. Tuition scholarships are available for both courses.   For...

The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is excited to announce the first video in our new “Next Steps in STEM” video series. This series will highlight participants of VSGC programs who have taken their next steps in #STEM. They are the next generation of the STEM workforce and Virginia’s best and brightest. This video features Jackson Bloomer, a drone pilot for DroneUp. Jackson completed several unmanned systems courses as a student at Thomas Nelson Community College. These courses were established through the VSGC-led GeoTEd-UAS project. #NASASpaceGrant #NASA #UAS #NextGenerationOfExplorers #StudentSuccessStories #Drones #Aeronautics #VCCS #tnccva ...

Location:  Virtual (Zoom)!!! What: 3-day workshop. Mapping with Drones Who: Local / State / Federal government employees, Private industry, Natural resource professionals, Planning professionals, Public safety professionals, Planning District Commission (PDC) employees, Extension agents / specialists, Agricultural operators, Educators, Realtors, Inspection teams, etc. Topic: Mapping with Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Additional Information: Is available via the Workshop Website à http://www.virginiaview.net/workshops-events  Online Registration: https://tinyurl.com/Drones2021   (credit card or e-check payments accepted. When*:  This is a 3 day virtual workshop.  Three workshop options are available: October 19-21, 2021 December 14-16, 2021 January 11-13, 2022   *General agenda: Day #1, 9:00 – 5:00 | Day #2, 9:00 – 5:00 | Day #3, 9:00 – 5:00 with breaks for coffee & lunch Cost: General registration for the 3-day Mapping with Drones Workshop is $200.  Workshop materials & supplies will be mailed in advance (via mail) to participants.  Since books and other handout material will  be purchased and be mailed to each participant, participants are encouraged to complete the registration...

Thomas Nelson Community College is offering courses in small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), also known as drones. These classes will provide training to fast track you into a career in sUAS. These classes can also help you develop skills in sUAS to add to your current skill set to prepare for jobs in multiple careers. These four unmanned systems (UMS) courses are engaging and interactive and align with employer needs in sUAS. UMS 107 Remote Pilot Ground School Learn the rules and regulations to legally fly drones.  The course will prepare you to take the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification Exam.  No pre-requisite is required to take the class. Two sections of the class are available during the first 8-week session (August 23rd - October 18th). In-person on Monday evenings from 5:30 - 8 pm (Hampton campus) OR fully online.   UMS 111 Introduction to Small UAS (sUAS) – The Manual Flight sUAS class.  ...

The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) provided an “Introduction to Geospatial Technology and Unmanned Aircraft Systems” teacher workshop at Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia on May 21, 2021. The workshop was provided through the VSGC’s GEOTREK-12 program with funding support from the VSGC-led GeoTEd-UAS project. The event gave teachers from Hampton City Schools (HCS) and Extended Learning Coordinators from the four HCS high school Academies the opportunity to learn the value of geospatial technologies (GST) and unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) in the classroom. The workshop also provided the educators with information on the current job market and different applications of these technologies, and how these vehicles help us gain an understanding of our world’s connectedness. Kesha Lucas, an Earth Science teacher at Bethel High School, was one participant that gained a whole new perspective on drone applications. “In the past I had always thought [of drones] as a kind of tiny little...

Thomas Nelson Community College is offering an online course to prepare participants to pass the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate Part 107 exam. The class begins on Monday, March 15th .  The course is fully online. It is not required, but highly suggested that students attend the Zoom meetings on Mondays from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.  The course is 8 weeks in length.   Thomas Nelson has a 100% pass rate for students taking the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification exam after this course.  There is a hands-on flying component to help you develop manual flying and operations skills.  Students will upload videos to demonstrate flying skills required to complete the class.  It is suggested that students buy a relatively inexpensive drone to complete the flying skills (Cheerwing quadcopter, usually less than $50).  The book for the course can be purchased on Amazon. The course is being offered through the Virginia Community College...