25 May

Posted at 20:17h in Uncategorized
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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...

04 Mar

Posted at 21:53h in Uncategorized
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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...

09 Feb

Posted at 14:06h in Uncategorized
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The Virginia Space Grant Consortium and the GeoTEd-UAS project team are please to share the Winter 2020/21 Newsletter. The newsletter includes stories and updates on various projects from the 2020/2021 winter season, such as the selection of the 2021-2023 faculty cohort, a workforce needs study, a UAS demo event, and support for High School educators completing UAS training and acquisition of remote pilot certification. Click here to download your copy today. For more information on GeoTEd-UAS visit their website here....

12 Jan

Posted at 16:36h in Uncategorized
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Two educators from Hampton City Schools were provided funding from GeoTEd-UAS to complete the Unmanned Systems Remote Pilot Ground School (UMS-107) course offered by Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC). The educators were also supported to take the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate exam. Possessing a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required to legally fly small unmaned aircraft systems (sUAS). Sherry Hildebrandt, Transportation Academy Coach for Bethel High School, and Alex Minter, Social Studies Teacher and soon to be GIS and UAS instructor, both successfully completed the UMS 107 course and obtained their Remote Pilot Certificate. The UMS 107 course was developed through the GeoTEd-UAS project and has served as a model for other colleges and high schools in the Commonwealth.   When asked about her opportunity, Hildebrandt said “I am so excited that I took this course because it prepared me for my Part 107 remote pilot certificate exam. The...

24 Nov

Posted at 20:26h in Uncategorized
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Please join us for a small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS, or drones) demonstration event hosted by the Richard Bland College of William & Mary. More information and registration details are in the flyer here. You must register to attend as this event is limited to 25 participants due to COVID-19 restrictions. The sUAS Demo Event is on December 3, 2020, from 1-3 p.m. The demonstration will include several sUAS missions operated manually and autonomously using a variety of drones and sensors to collect data. Attendees will be able to see and touch several different sUAS and related equipment, observe the missions, and participate in a discussion about the data analysis and conducting safe sUAS operations. Come join us to learn more about sUAS and drones and opportunities to start your career in this exciting field! You can learn about future sUAS and aviation pathways that will be offered at Richard Bland College.  The demo is being...

23 Nov

Posted at 18:32h in Uncategorized
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The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is pleased to announce a partnership with Women And Drones. VSGC leads and administers the GeoTEd-UAS project funded by the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF-ATE) program. The project’s mission is to train the future small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operator technician and geospatial technician workforce. The organizations will work together to engage more women in the field of sUAS and other STEM education and workforce development programs. “We are excited about this amazing partnership with Women and Drones! The ability to leverage their network and engage with industry leaders in the drone industry from across the nation will improve our ability to train the future workforce,” stated Chris Carter, VSGC Deputy Director. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, women currently make up only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math. The common goal between the organizations is...

20 Oct

Posted at 15:59h in Uncategorized
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The GeoTEd-UAS project team will be featuring our work during the annual National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF-ATE) PI Conference. To learn more about the project, view a 90-second video overview of the project that will be part of the virtual exhibit. Click here to view the new GeoTEd-UAS project flyer. The Conference is being held virtually October 20-23. GeoTEd-UAS will have an exhibit during the ATE Connects session on October 20. If you are attending the Conference, we encourage you to attend and network with our team. More information about the project will also be provided on October 21 during a Synergy session titled, Advancing Collaborations Within the UAS Community.  ...

06 Oct

Posted at 18:13h in Uncategorized
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Community college faculty, high school teachers, and other community educators in Virginia are invited to submit an application for the 2021-2022 GeoTEd-UAS Institute.  The GeoTEd-UAS Institute  will provide training for educators in the use of geospatial technology and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (AKA ‘drones’, sUAS). Interested and dedicated educators are encouraged to apply. More information including the application can be found here. Applications are due October 31, 2020. ...

22 Sep

Posted at 20:37h in Uncategorized
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Download this press release. Faculty and students at community colleges across the Commonwealth will continue to learn how to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and collect and analyze geospatial data.  The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is leading a statewide partnership to develop the geospatial technology and UAS workforce in Virginia. The new award of $561,977 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program is the fifth award to VSGC and partners targeting the technician workforce in these emerging technologies. VSGC, Germanna Community College (GCC), the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and Virginia Tech are partnering on the Improving Pathways into the Geospatial and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technician Workforce (GeoTEd-UAS) project (NSF# 2000715). GeoTEd-UAS will prepare students for success as geospatial technicians and small UAS (sUAS) operation technicians (sUAS-OT) who will plan and fly sUAS missions and analyze geospatial data to solve problems and answer questions. Dr. Shawn Shields Lyons,...

30 Jul

Posted at 20:09h in Uncategorized
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Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Workforce Survey Report With funding support from GO Virginia and in partnership with the Richard Bland College of William & Mary (RBC), the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC), Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Unmanned Systems Center at the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) recently conducted an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Workforce Survey to inform future workforce development and education programs to train the UAS workforce. Faculty leaders from the NSF-funded GeoTEd-UAS (NSF DUE# 1601614) project were also partners on the project. Here is a link to the final report. The survey was completed by employers and organization from throughout the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. Richard Bland College's Chief Development Officer Tyler Hart stated, “At Richard Bland College we strive to be industry focused and data driven, the data collected from this survey is invaluable and will shape the development of credentials to help meet the training needs of the region and the state.” VSGC Deputy Director Chris...