Overview
As the computer science class of Gloucester High School, we participated in the Experiential Learning Takes Flight initiative, an innovative program emphasizing ICE (Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship). This program aimed to address real-world problems through collaborative projects.Together, our classes tackled two distinct problems of practice:
Grade 10 - Future of Urban Air Mobility: The Grade 10 students focused on envisioning and developing solutions for the future of urban air mobility.
Grade 11/12 - Drone Technology & Isolated Communities: The Grade 11 and 12 students concentrated on utilizing drone technology to assist isolated communities. This project aimed to develop drones capable of delivering essential supplies, conducting search and rescue missions, and providing other critical services to areas with limited access to resources.
Grade 10:
The grade 10s programmed drones to autonomously manoeuvre between various landing locations within a mock "city" constructed from cardboard and foam boxes in their classroom, demonstrating effective obstacle avoidance. Their algorithms ensured precise takeoff, navigation, and landing, allowing the drones to sense and react to barriers. Their project highlighted the practical potential of autonomous drone technology for real-world applications such as urban delivery, search and rescue, and infrastructure inspections, showcasing its capacity to operate safely in densely populated areas.
Grade 11:
The main objective of the grade 11 students for the drone project was to develop a fire-detection system, conducted entirely within a high school classroom. They coded the drone to patrol designated areas in specific patterns, using a sensor to detect the color red as an indication of fire, then report the fire and its temperature to the user console. This project demonstrated the potential of drones in emergency response and highlighted the innovative capabilities of high school students working with limited resources.
Grade 12:
The grade 12 students focused on constructing a drone for search and rescue and delivery tasks. The software they developed lets users pick locations on a map and translates them into commands for the drone. It also includes features to make it easier to fly the drone.
They also modified the drone itself. They added an antenna so it could receive commands to control a claw attachment. They carefully chose a motor to power the claw. They designed and 3D printed a claw for the drone. The claw can pick up and deliver items. It's designed to be strong and reusable, and it has an algorithm to control its movements. The claw is also designed to release payloads safely.
Overall, this project improved the drone's ability to help people in remote areas.
In terms of the final product or demonstration of learning, this was open to choice and depended on the problem of practice. The solutions were determined by the class.
Some examples included:
Mock prototype (manufacturing, physics)
Social media/ advertising campaign
Formalized presentation / video
Museum-type display
To be determined….. THE POSSIBILITES ARE ENDLESS
THE DRONES WE USED
GEPRC Cinelog 25 V2
ROBOLINK CoDrone EDU
Robolink's CoDrone EDU is a drone designed for educators to use in classrooms. It can be coded using Blockly (a block-based coding language) or Python, making it suitable for beginners and more advanced learners alike. The drone has several features that aid in learning to code, including:
Sensors that can be used in coding, such as color sensors and range finders
A durable frame
Programmable lights
These features allow students to create code that interacts with the environment and makes the drone perform tasks.
OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS
CAAM is a Federal Not For Profit organization co-founded with the National Research Council of Canada that acts as the catalyst for the new Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry in Canada. Advanced Air Mobility is defined as unlocking Zero-Emission (Electric & Hydrogen) Aircraft to operate in Canada extending from small RPAS operations all the way up to commercial aircraft. AAM operations focus on moving people, goods and services in both piloted and remotely piloted aircraft on intra-urban and inter-regional routes.
Jeannie Stewart-Smith
Regulations & Outreach at Transport Canada
Jeannie Stewart-Smith has been developing federal transportation policy for more than 13 years and has found herself on small fishing boats in Eastern Canada, hiking trails with colleagues in Yellowknife, and talking to scientists about the impacts of shipping noise on endangered whales. In 2017, when Transport Canada created a team to respond to the growing use of drones, Jeannie jumped on board (or behind the control station…) and is the Manager and Senior Policy Advisor for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Policy, Regulations and Outreach.
Jason Kilabuk
Director for Inuit Employment at Canadian North
Jason Kilabuk is the Director for Inuit Employment and Talent Strategies at Canadian North. He embarked on his aviation journey as a commercial helicopter pilot operating in the remote regions of the arctic. Acquiring his Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s license, he transitioned into the dual role of pilot and engineer, supporting rotary aircraft operations across Canada. In 2011, Kilabuk joined Canadian North, where he has remained ever since.